Volonteers for fieldwork, small mammals ecology, S. Africa

Volunteers needed as field assistants for the project:

Evolution and Socio-Ecology of small Mammals in the Succulent Karoo of South

Africa

>From May 2010 onwards, but especially for July/August to December 2010

Opportunity: This is a great opportunity for anybody who wants to get more

experience in field work relating to evolution, ecology and behavior before

starting an MsC or PhD project.

Project: We study the evolutionary and ecological reasons as well as

physiological mechanisms of group living, paternal care, communal nesting

and social flexibility in the striped mouse. As this species is diurnal and

the habitat is open, direct behavioral observations in the field are

possible.

What kind of people are needed? Biology/zoology/veterinary students are

preferred as candidates. Applicants must have an interest in working in the

field and with animals. Hard working conditions will await applicants, as

the study species gets up with sunrise (between 5 and 6 o` clock), and stops

its activity with dusk (19 o` clock). Work during nights might also be

necessary. Work in the field will be done for 5 days a week. Applicants must

be able to manage extreme temperatures (below 0 at night in winter,

sometimes over 40?C during summer days). Applicants must both be prepared to

live for long periods in the loneliness of the field and to be part of a

small social group.

Work of field assistants: Trapping, marking and radio-tracking of striped

mice; direct behavioral observations in the field. Volunteers are also

expected to help with maintenance of the research station (water pump, solar

power, etc.)

Confirmation letter: Students get a letter of confirmation about their work

and can prepare a report of their own small project to get credit points

from their university for their bachelor or masters studies.

Costs: Students have to arrange their transport to the field site

themselves. Per month, an amount of Rand 1000 (around 100 Euro) must be paid

for accommodation at the research station. For students with their own

undergraduate project, a fee of Rand 1250 (approx. 120 Euro) per month

applies. Students must buy their own food etc in Springbok (costs of about R

2000 or 200 Euro/month). Including extras, you should expect costs of about

300 - 400 Euros per month. Students get an invitation letter which they can

use to apply for funding in their home country (eg. DAAD in Germany, SANW in

Switzerland).

Place: The field site is in the Goegap Nature Reserve near Springbok in the

North-West of South Africa. The vegetation consists of Succulent Karoo,

which has been recognized as one of 25 hotspots of biodiversity. It is a

desert to semi-desert with rain mainly in winter (June to September).

When and how long: At the moment we are looking for volunteers to start in

May 2010 and especially for the period July / August to December 2010. The

volunteer project is ongoing, i.e. positions will also be available in 2011.

Volunteers are expected to stay at least 2 months, but longer periods of up

to 6months are preferred.

How to apply? Send a short motivation letter stating why and for which

period you are interested and your CV via email to

carsten.schradin@ieu.uzh.ch.

More information under <http://www.stripedmouse.com/> www.stripedmouse.com

Contact via e-mail: carsten.schradin@zool.uzh.ch