Bornean Rainforest Research Assistant

A field-based research assistant is sought between the months of February and October 2015 (minimum commitment 2 months), to assist with the data collection of a Ph.D. focusing on the effects of fragmentation on riparian bat and bird communities in the Bornean rainforest. 

The role  will principally involve the following duties:

• Hiking along forested streams between the hours of 6pm and 10pm each night accompanied by a Malaysian field staff member and recording point counts at specific locations using a bat detector.
• Ensuring correct dating, backup and data management of the files outputted by the bat detector.
• Managing time and survey effort across a number of sites and liaising with camp staff in order to arrange travel logistics to complete a pre-determined sampling protocol.

Training will be given of the exact protocols of using the bat detector and managing the data on site. There will also be opportunities to assist and learn protocols for conducting point counts of birds and camera-trapping for large mammals and potentially collaborate on a scientific publication. 

The successful candidate will live at the research camp at the Stability of Altered Forest Ecosystems (S.A.F.E) project site, situated two hours’ drive from Tawau, Sabah.  Camp facilities include running showers, chemical toilets and generator-powered electricity for much of the day. Cooked food and dormitory-style accommodation will be provided. It is anticipated that improved accommodation and a wireless internet connection should be available by May 2014. The camp runs as a small close-knit community, with as many as 25 Western researchers and 40 Malaysian staff on site at any one time. 

The ideal candidate will hold a bachelor’s degree or higher in conservation biology, ecology or a related discipline, although all candidates with relevant experience and enthusiasm will be considered. Applicants must be responsible, self-disciplined, hardworking, self-motivated, tolerant of tropical weather, willing to work in a group and able to tolerate basic living conditions. A sense of humour is always appreciated. Applicants must arrange their own transportation to Tawau, Malaysia but all on-site costs will be covered. 

This is a unique opportunity to spend an extended period at a scientific research base as well as learn multiple methods of biodiversity assessment used in tropical ecology (bat, bird and large mammal sampling).  The S.A.F.E landscape is part of an ongoing study into the biodiversity and environmental impacts of forest fragmentation and degradation (more information available here: http://www.safeproject.net/), but also contains large areas of intact rainforest. The site holds over 150 species of birds, Orang-Utans are seen frequently and rarer mammals, such as Sun Bear, Bornean Pygmy Elephant, Sunda Clouded Leopard and the endangered Bornean Bay Cat, are recorded with varying frequency. 

TO APPLY: Send cover letter and CV (max 3 sides) with two references to Simon Mitchell  (Email: slm60@kent.ac.uk). In the cover letter outline your motivation for application and availability (applicants able to spend more than of two months in the field will be given priority). Further information is available upon request.