Position Description

Two research assistants at a time are required to collect data on the behaviour and ecology of wild slow lorises, using radio-tracking, nocturnal behaviour observation and habitat assessment & education projects during the day. At least one more volunteer is needed to help us run our education and socialisation projects full-time. The field site is situated in West Java, near the area of Garut. The accommodation is in our field station Rumah Hijau. Students and assistants will all be responsible for housekeeping, cooking, and costs are shared. Local mobile and internet networks are well-developed.

Qualifications/Experience:

Essential requirements
1. Basic experience of working on a scientific research project, collecting and working systematically with data, ideally an observational/behavioural project
2. Foreign travel or living/work experience, within a developing country and ideally the tropics
3. Interest in animal behaviour, ecology, conservation, education, social media, and preferably a university level qualification in animal behaviour, conservation biology, zoology or other relevant subject

4. Volunteers are welcome at any time of the year.

QUALITIES: they must be mature, responsible, reliable, open, flexible, healthy, able to work independently but also as part of a team, be highly motivated. Nocturnal work can be hard, especially in rainy and cold nights, and when animals decide that they do not want to be seen. Life in the research station may not permit a lot of personal space (rooms have to be shared). The applicant should have above average social skills, and must be happy to take her/his share in housekeeping and cooking. Although there is good mobile phone and e-mail communication, sometimes things do not work and the applicant must be comfortable being unplugged. Applicants must have a tolerance towards local customs and beliefs (women have to be dressed appropriately and cannot smoke/drink in public) and be comfortable with other conditions and risks like Indonesian-style bathrooms or rare confrontations with noxious plants or animals.

Salary/funding:
This is a volunteer position and as such no wage or stipend is currently available. The volunteer is responsible for their return flight to Jakarta, visa, comprehensive travel and medical insurance, costs for accommodation and food will be shared between students and assistants (~£200 per month). We can provide volunteers with information on how to fund raise before their trip.

Term of Appointment:
Minimum three months

Application Deadline:
Rolling

Contact Information:
Julia Hill, volunteer coordinator

littlefireface@gmail.com

2013 LFP Volunteer Guide