Kinda baboon field manager
Kinda baboon research (Private)
Details
Application Deadline:
07/10/2025
Published:
07/01/2025
Starting Date:
between 8/1/2025 and 8/6/2025
Hours per Week:
20 - 50
Salary:
none
Education Required:
Bachelors
Experience Required:
at least 1 year
Location:
Zambia
Tags:
Graduate Opportunities
Undergraduate Opportunities
Description
Do you have field work experience? Do you want more? Our team wants YOU to manage our field site studying Kinda baboons in Kasanka National Park, Zambia!
As field manager beginning in early August 2025, you’ll build on your experience in wildlife research, field-based data collection, data management, and team leadership. A critical part of your time with us will include working alongside a Zambian biologist to prepare them to transition into this position, fostering local leadership as a part of our collaboration with Copperbelt University. Our team studies a habituated troop of ~100 baboons in a relatively flat woodland and savannah terrain, with a dry season (April-September) and a rainy season (October-March).
Terms of contract:
- A one-year commitment is preferred, but we are flexible on shorter/longer durations.
- Start date: August 5, 2025. You will travel to the field site with one of the project directors for initial orientation and training, so this start date is critical.
- Provided to you: 1 round-trip flight to Lusaka, Zambia from your home city; visa costs; research permit costs; park fees; camp cook and food; transportation and accommodation costs incurred while traveling within Zambia on business; monthly transportation costs for supply shopping; binoculars and field equipment for data collection. This is a volunteer position but we provide a monthly stipend.
- Your responsibilities: vaccinations, travel/healthcare insurance, backpack, field clothing, footwear, and personal toiletries.
- We are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment and expect the same from everyone on our team. We include researchers on scientific publications and presentations made possible by their contributions in the field.
Responsibilities:
- Work with a team of Zambian researchers, park scouts, and camp staff
- Learn to identify ~50 adult baboons
- Oversee and assist in the development and optimization of data collection and data management protocols
- Follow or search for the study group of baboons for 5-8 hours/day, 20-22 days/month
- Oversee and engage in field data collection, including demographic, ecological, and behavioral data (with the iPad Animal Observer app); collect and process fecal samples
- Manage data collection and training for multiple projects, including baseline longitudinal data and project-specific data collection
- Manage field site administration and logistics, including finances, team schedules, equipment, supply procurement
- Ensure effective communication between Kasanka National Park, project directors, and the field team
- Provide support to staff, visitors, and students
- Represent the project at the Zambian Department of National Parks and Wildlife or other entities when needed, including obtaining permits and shipping samples
- Engage with Kasanka National Park and their collaborators on environmental education, conservation, and women’s health and empowerment initiatives.
- Train a Zambian researcher in all responsibilities to take over the role upon completion of contract
Qualifications:
- BS/BA in biology, anthropology, zoology, or related field
- Experience in a remote fieldwork setting
- Experience collecting behavioral data on wild animals
- Experience managing data, developing data organization and management systems, using field equipment, computers, and Excel
- Self-motivated, organized, enthusiastic, reliable, patient, adaptable, strong communication skills, and keen to learn about baboon research and field site management
- Able to live alongside and work with culturally diverse coworkers, work in and lead a team
- Comfortable living in a basic field camp (large canvas ‘safari’ tents with beds and outdoor bathrooms, solar power, a small refrigerator, and a water pump for sinks/showers; internet through Starlink).
- Physical stamina (e.g., walking long distances); mental and emotional stamina, resilience in challenging situations; independent and comfortable spending extended periods of time away from friends and family in a remote environment
- Interested in pursuing a career in wildlife research
How to apply
Please send a CV, contact information for 2 references, and a cover letter to mpetersdorf@tulane.edu with ‘baboon field manager’ in your email subject line.
The cover letter should express your interest in the role and how it relates to your future endeavors, and your experience as it relates to the above responsibilities and qualifications. Please include confirmation that you are available to begin this August and your desired contract term.
Applications will be reviewed as they come in, but please apply ASAP to ensure your application is considered. We plan to hold interviews July 10th and 11th and make decisions as soon as possible after that.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Megan Petersdorf at mpetersdorf@tulane.edu
Contact
Megan Petersdorf
mpetersdorf@tulane.edu (preferred contact method)