Field assistant needed for a behavioural ecology and demography project in autumn 2011!
We are currently looking for a highly motivated field assistant to participate in our international field project on behavioural ecology and demography of Galápagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki). Since 2003, we are investigating a population of sea lions on a little islet (Caamaño), determining female and male reproductive success, pup growth, social structure and demography in a study population of about 1000 animals. The project is run by Kristine Meise, Paolo Piedrahita and Prof. Fritz Trillmich (Univeristy of Bielefeld, Germany).
The field site is situated on a small (500m diameter), uninhabited islet off Santa Cruz. To investigate growth, reproductive success and social structure we run a regular recapture and resighting program. The field assistant will participate in all aspects of this program. Field work will be demanding. Participants have to live in tents the entire field season and share in all camp duties (cooking, cleaning, daily data entry, etc.). No sanitary facilities are available and we provide sweet water only for drinking and cooking. All gear needs to be transported to the islet via a difficult landing and camp conditions are primitive, including mostly tinned food. Due to the long stay in this rough situation volunteers need to be physically capable. Preferences will be given to candidates with prior field work experience, especially those who have worked with pinnipeds before.
Field assistants are expected to stay for the entire field season (~ end of August until the middle of December). We cover travel and living expenses.
The language at the camp will be English and Spanish.
If you are interested, please send an application in English (including a letter of motivation, two references and your curriculum vitae) until June, 15th 2011 to the following address:
kristine.meise@uni-bielefeld.de
Kristine Meise
Galápagos Sea Lion Project
University of Bielefeld
Department of Behavioural Biology