Field assistants for September-December 2012 in Zambia.

Field assistants: The group of Behavioural Ecology of the University
Bern, Switzerland (head: Prof. Dr. Michael Taborsky) is looking for 2
field assistants for September-December 2012 in Zambia.

Project: We are working on cooperatively breeding, colonial Cichlids,
Neolamprologus pulcher, endemic to Lake Tanganyika. At the moment we
are looking into questions of 1) why coloniality is maintained in the
system, 2) what predicts male investment in this polygynic system,
3) long-term dispersal decisions of subdominant individuals, and 4)
habitat-dependent differences between populations. All work will be
done using SCUBA in depth between 9 and 12 meters. Observations of
detailed behaviour are recorded either using PVC slates or handheld
computers. Population sampling includes standardized descriptions of
the environment as well as catching and preserving of individuals.

Tasks: We will be diving 2 times a day on 6 days of the week in depth of
approximately 10 meters. Applicants will be required to work independently
after a training phase. A detailed knowledge of the behavioural repertoire
of the fish will be conveyed beforehand.

Field site: We are based at a very nice lodge on the beautiful Zambian
shores of Lake Tanganyika. While the next bigger city, Mpulungu, is
only 20 boat-ride minutes away, conditions are very basic. Internet
is available, but electricity is generated with solar-panels, limiting
computer use (or other electrical devices). Meals are prepared by the
lodge-staff.

Requirements:  Conditions at the field site are very basic. Experience
with such situations as well as experience with living in the tropics
is recommended. Applicants should also be in good health and in good
“shape”, as the diving regime is physically demanding. You need
to be holding a PADI (or equivalent) diving certificate and diving
experience is very much recommended, as applicants will at some point
start to work alone. Previous experience in behavioural observations is
very welcome. Working language is English, but most expedition members
also speak German.

Organizational: Travelling and accommodation costs are covered by us;
successful applicants will have to pay for their food (approximately
7 Dollars a day). Regulators, BCD’s, and bottles will be provided by
us; assistants will have to organize their mask, fins, wet-suit (7mm+),
etc. themselves. The dates of the flights are not yet set, but we will
be leaving for Zambia in late August and will return in early December,
resulting in a bit more than 3 Month for the trip. Assistants should
be ready to come to Bern beforehand, to receive training in behavioural
observations.


Please direct applications as a single file (.doc or .pdf) to
arne.jungwirth@iee.unibe.ch. Applications should include a motivational
statement and your experiences in field work, studying biology, and
diving. Please also include a CV.