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Assistant

A great way to boost your CV

We’re currently looking for three assistants to help with three distinct projects.

Assistantships are outstanding opportunities for anyone who want to further their field experience and is looking to develop in either animal behaviour, ecology, population dynamics, or any other related field science. They are ideal if you want to gain experience in preparation for Graduate school or to enhance your career.

The projects are:

• Plush-crested jays (Cyanocorax chrysops) - these social birds are poorly studied and understood. The project aims to establish long term research into their behaviour and grouping dynamics
• Broad-headed spiny rat (Clyomys laticeps) - the project aims to establish long term research into the population structure, behaviour, and burrow ecology of this species which may be a keystone species of the cerrado habitat
• White-rump Tanagers (Cypsnagra hirundinacea) - The project aims to establish long term research into the behaviour and vocalisations of this species

Whatever project you’re chosen for, you’ll be expected to make significant contributions in a number of areas including daily observations, daily data collection, capturing, data entry, data analyses, publications of findings, and training volunteers. Exact duties will depend on the project. You’ll need to work five days a week in the field and be responsible for processing and entering your own data.

What you’ll need

To apply for one of these posts you should have:

• Previous field experience, preferably in observational and/or behavioural science
• A university level qualification in animal behaviour, zoology, ecology or other relevant discipline
• An interest in natural habitats and animal behaviour
• Enthusiasm, commitment, and motivation
• A good level of physical fitness
• The ability to work both independently and within a team of local and European/US researchers

You should also be prepared to make a minimum commitment of four months. Though not essential, some experience of working with and handling birds and mammals, and conversational Spanish would be useful.