Opportunities
Below are our current vacancies. Individual adverts will provide the contact details required to apply for the position. If there are no current voluntary positions that you would be interested in please fill in the volunteer form and we will keep your details on file.
Voluntary
Post Doctoral researcher
Administrative support
Research studentship
Voluntary
Orangutan Tropical Peatland Research Project Volunteers Wanted
The Orangutan Tropical Peatland Research Project works to protect one of the most important areas of tropical rainforest in Borneo - the Sabangau Forest in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. We monitor the distribution, population status, behaviour and ecology of the forest's flagship ape species, carry out biodiversity and forestry research, and work with local partners to implement conservation solutions.
Our research and eco-volunteer program is a focus for conservation efforts, provides much-needed employment and financial benefits for the local community and has replaced illegal logging as the main activity and source of income in the northern Sabangau Forest.
A limited number of volunteer places are available each year to participate in the research programmes of the Forest Dynamics and Biodiversity Monitoring Teams. This would particularly suit recent graduates or undergraduates wishing to gain fieldwork experience in a tropical forest environment. A willingness to work long hours in the field, a good level of fitness, and basic biological/ecological knowledge is advantageous. There are also several opportunities for students to undertake research for part of their undergraduate honours project or post graduate MSc thesis. For more information please visit http://www.outrop.com/volunteer.html or e-mail info@outrop.com
We usually accept two groups of volunteers a year - one from around July, the other from around October. When we are taking applications for 2013 we will post it here and on our social media sites.
Location:Indonesia
Expires:Ongoing
The distribution and dispersal of herpetofauna in lowland farmland
Volunteers are required from mid-February to early September 2013 to undertake field work in the Oxfordshire area as part of a doctoral research project. Field work will involve assisting with amphibian and reptile surveys and habitat and pond water quality assessment in farmland. Most of the field work will be detection of micro-chipped common toads in farmland using a portable antenna. This will include handling the toads to be weighed, measured and photographed. Previous amphibian and reptile survey experience would be preferred but full training can be provided in the necessary techniques.
The work is physically demanding at times as it is necessary to carry heavy survey materials and walk long distances. Some evening and early morning work will be required for pond surveys, as well as work at weekends towards the beginning of the survey season. Surveys will continue in all weathers.
It is important that volunteers either have their own transport to get to sites or can easily get to the WildCRU base at Tubney House. There is a minimum commitment of 10 days (not necessarily consecutive e.g. volunteers could work 1 or 2 days a week over several weeks).
Unfortunately WildCRU will not be able to offer any reimbursement of expenses. This opportunity is purely on a voluntary basis.
For further details about the project please see the project page.
To apply please send details of your likely availability, interests and previous experience (CV) to rosie.salazar@zoo.ox.ac.uk
Location:Oxfordshire
Expires:01/8/2013
Badger Project at Wytham Woods
We are looking for volunteers for the long-term Badger Project in Wytham Woods. The position is open from Spring 2013 and will cover 2 week sessions 3-4 times per year, with the next session planned in May/June.
The role consists of assisting with field work and some basic lab work (at the field station). The fieldwork can be physically demanding, as it will involve carrying heavy equipment through the woods with early morning starts (~ 6-7am) working until late afternoon/early evening. Basic lab skills (e.g. pipetting) and being able work independently are essential. While fieldwork experience would be an advantage, it is not essential. Volunteers would require their own transport to Wytham Woods (bike or car).
If you are interested in this position, or for more information, please email Kirstin.bilham@zoo.ox.ac.uk, including your CV.
Location:Wytham Woods
Expires:Ongoing
Hedgehog Ecology in Farmland Landscapes
A dedicated volunteer research assistant is required in May and June 2013 for a hedgehog study. This will form part of an exciting study to look at hedgehog habitat preference, energy intake and energy expenditure in agricultural versus urban habitats. The work will entail hedgehog capture and radio-tagging in May and hedgehog radio-tracking in June, which may extend into July and August. The position will be five days a week and most of the work will be through the night in unsociable hours. Additionally we will be travelling to sites in three different counties, for which there will be an accommodation budget.
The ideal candidates will be enthusiastic, robust, energetic and committed. They will be able to carry out fieldwork as part of a small team, through the night and early morning, outdoors and in all weather conditions. They will preferably be located, or be able to locate themselves in the Oxford area as travel to farms will be coordinated from there. Applicants must be available for a minimum of four specific weeks or longer from May onwards and preferably hold a driving licence.
If you are interested in this position, or for more information, please email carly.easby@zoo.ox.ac.uk, including your CV.
Location:Oxfordshire
Expires:Ongoing
Bornean Clouded Leopard
Volunteers are required to assist with image cataloguing and other desk-based tasks related to camera-trap photographs obtained as part of the ongoing Bornean Clouded Leopard Programme. This position is available from October 2012 and will be ongoing for several months. There is a minimum commitment of 10 full days, although this could be fulfilled over several weeks if necessary.
Experience using Excel spreadsheets and attention to detail are essential and basic photo-editing skills would be an advantage.
As these tasks are desk-based it is possible to carry them out at home, however it will be necessary to spend a couple of days at Tubney House initially to receive some training, and afterwards to transfer files. This position is therefore best suited to people based near Tubney, or those who can easily reach Tubney.
This position is voluntary but we may be able to offer reimbursement of some expenses, or help with accommodation, depending on your circumstances.
If you are interested in applying this position or for further details please email joanna.ross@zoo.ox.ac.uk, including your C.V.
Location:Tubney House
Expires:Ongoing
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Wildlife Conservation Research Unit
Department of Zoology,
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Recanati-Kaplan Centre, Tubney House,
Abingdon Road, Tubney, OXON.
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