Research Assistant Required for Fieldwork in Cambodia, Feb-May 2012

Distribution, population and habitat extent of Bengal Florican in Cambodia: A re-assessment after 7 years

- Angkor Centre for the Conservation of Biodiversity in collaboration with the Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program, the Forestry Administration of Cambodia and the University of East Anglia (UK).

We are looking for an ecology/biology (or related discipline) graduate with ecological/ornithological fieldwork experience in tropical/developing countries to assist with field data collection in Cambodia.

The project involves conducting a national survey for the Critically Endangered Bengal florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) to establish its current distribution and produce an up-to-date population estimate. The grasslands of Cambodia are thought to hold around two thirds of the global population and are therefore of great importance for the species, yet there has been no recent assessment of its distribution or numbers. The project will also assess remaining grassland habitat, which is undergoing rapid conversion and is important for 11 other globally threatened bird species.

A Research Assistant is needed from early February until early May 2012 (3 months) to join a team consisting of a Project Coordinator and four Field Assistants. This position would be an excellent opportunity for a graduate wishing to gain more experience in field data collection and research. Midday temperatures reach 40 degrees Celsius, walking and off-road motorbiking in the midday heat along with very early morning starts mean that this is not for the faint-hearted! The Research Assistant would need to cover the cost of their flight to/from Cambodia, but all accommodation and food during fieldwork will be paid for along with US $450/month salary.

If you wish to apply for this position, please submit your CV (including names and contact details of two referees) with a covering letter by 31st December to Charlotte Packman: c.packman@uea.ac.uk

For further information please contact me on: +44 (0)1603 59 1100