We are seeking a research assistant to help capture Damaraland mole-rats
at the Kalahari Research Centre. The project was started in 2013 and
explores a variety of topics including life history, group demographics,
and cooperative behaviour. We will expand upon past work to better
understand individual contributions to helping behaviour. Our current
project will utilize miniaturized accelerometer devices and RFID
technology to determine which individuals contribute to cooperative
behaviours such as burrow guarding and tunnel building, and how seasonal
climate can affect these contributions. The assistant will gain valuable
field work experience including use of accelerometers and RFID technology,
animal trapping and handling, biological sample collection, and data
entry and database skills.

*Responsibilities*

- Assisting capture of mole-rats

- Daily husbandry of captured mole-rats

- Data collection and entry (GPS data, morphometric data, biological
samples, etc)

- Maintain field equipment

*Requirements:*

- BSc degree (biology, ecology, zoology, etc)

- Field work experience (in Africa and remote areas preferably)

- Animal handling skills

- Physically fit, capable of frequent digging and kneeling

- Enthusiastic and willingness to work potentially long days (> 8 hrs)

- Works well independently and in small teams (2-3 people)

- Driver's license

- International applicants must be willing to apply for a long term visa
  to South Africa

Compensation: food and accommodation provided plus a monthly stipend

*Start Date: *mid-August to mid-September

*Duration:* minimum commitment 6 months, preferably 12 months

The applicant will live at the Kalahari Research Centre, home to the
Kalahari Meerkat Project and other long term behavioural studies (
https://kalahariresearchcentre.org/). The research site is remote, and
assistants will be living and working around South African and
international researchers and graduate students. The applicant must be
willing to live in this vibrant community of 30-40 researchers. As a
result, this is an excellent opportunity for networking and learning.

Please send your CV, a short letter of interest (max 1
page), and contact details for 2 people to act as references
to *Dr Kyle Finn (kyletfinn@gmail.com)* and *Dr Shay Rotics
(shay.rotics@gmail.com)*. Deadline is 1 August 2024. The position is
open until filled.

Kyle Finn <kyletfinn@gmail.com>

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