Might be of interest.
For YETI
Debabrata Phukon
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Virendra Mathur <vmvirendra85@xxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, May 5, 2022, 8:19 AM
Subject: Volunteer Research Assistant - Spatial Cognition in Himalayan
Langurs
To: YETI <meet.yeti@xxxxxxxxx>, <meetyeti@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Hello Team YETI
I am advertising this position once again because we are still looking for
a suitable person to join this project. Please forward the same to the
mailing list.
Thank You so much.
Best,
Virendra
Virendra Mathur
PhD Student
Dr. Julie Teichroeb Lab
University of Toronto
Twitter - @AmazingVirus
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The Himalayan Langur Project is advertising the following position for
exciting research on spatial cognition of Himalayan Langurs. The focus of
this pilot research will be to understand the heuristics and decision
making abilities of these leaf eating monkeys, through setting up natural
experiments and using natural observations, in their habitat in an
undisturbed temperate forest. The volunteer will also work with the team on
conservation programs carried out in participation with the local
community. Please read the description for the position for details. This
project is a good learning opportunity for students interested in non-human
primate cognition, decision making, and broad themes related to movement
ecology and spatial cognition.
*Position Description:*
- * Field Site *- Kanchula Kharak, Mandal-Chopta Road (Uttarakhand)
- *Stipend *- There will be a stipend offered for this position
depending upon the duration of your commitment towards the field work
- *Duration* - April 25th - August 25th (There is a possibility of
extension depending on your quality of work and the availability of further
funding)
- *Expenses Covered *- Food and Accommodation at the field site
- *Required Skills* - *We are preferably looking for a volunteer who has
previous experience of working with non human primates. *The
volunteer should
able to work in a team and contribute positively to the learning atmosphere
at the base camp, should be accommodating in a shared space and respectful
to the other team member, be mentally and physically fit to be able to
adjust to the remote mountainous landscape and the very basic lifestyle at
the field site. The volunteer should be self-reliant and should be
interested in learning different observation methods and natural experiment
methods in the wild. There base camp does not offer cellular network
reception and the electric supply is not reliable, and the volunteer should
be able to adjust to such a lifestyle.
- *Duties *- The volunteer will work with a local and expert field
assistant (Mr. Harish Maithani) and will first be trained in different
methods to collect data on Himalayan Langur. Then the volunteer will
take data pertaining to the project objectives documenting the behavior of
the individuals and the study group as a whole, while also using a GPS
device. The volunteer will set up experiments to understand cognitive
underpinnings of the decision making process in a multi male multi female
troop of Himalayan Langurs. The volunteer will also fit and retrieve
camera traps. Other duties include data management, helping in the daily
chores at the field site with the field assistant, keeping the devices and
batteries charged and ready for deployment.
- *Preferences (but not essential qualities) - *We will be glad if you
can bring your camera along and are interested in wildlife photography. You
will have a good number of opportunities to document Himalayan avian
diversity, floral diversity, and the chances to see some majestic mammals
like leopard, Himalayan Tahr, Himalayan Goral, Asatic Black Bear, and
many more. It is also preferable if you have a driving license for a two
wheeler*.* We are also interested in learning from you and your
expertise in any of the above given duties, and we will be open to
discussion about any of your ideas related to research or conservation. We
will encourage you to write one or two popular science articles, or
articles chronicling the wildlife of the field site or the Himalayan
landscape, or field notes and stories, and we can publish them on a
platform of your choice. This positions involve learning components
about the Himalayan flora and fauna and asks for a lot of interest from
the volunteer in learning about the intricacies of this diverse landscape.
- This opportunity is ideal for students who have gathered preliminary
fieldwork experience related to animal behavior and ecology, and wanted to
develop an understanding of cognitive underpinnings of animal behavior and
pursue further education and a doctoral degree in these and related topics.
To register your response, please send an email to vmvirendra85@xxxxxxxxx
and cc the same to himani.nautiyal08@xxxxxxxxx. *Please note that we expect
to close this position by April 20th, and we will consider applications on
a rolling basis. If you wish to apply, you should not wait till the
deadline.* Please send an email mentioning
- A brief introduction of yourself (Please keep it brief)
- Your commitment period (preferably starting the last week of April,
for a minimum of three months)
- Why would you like to join the project and how does it contribute to
your future goals? (Please keep it brief and highlight your experiences
that could be useful for this project or gears you towards such a learning)
- What aspect fascinates you the most about this project?
- Please attach your updated CV.
*Please find listed here some references to research articles to understand
the study species, and broad ideas behind the project:*
- Nautiyal, H., Mathur, V., Sinha, A., & Huffman, M. A. (2020). The Banj
oak Quercus leucotrichophora as a potential mitigating factor for
human-langur interactions in the Garhwal Himalayas, India: People’s
perceptions and ecological importance. *Global Ecology and Conservation*,
*22*, e00985
- Asensio, N., Brockelman, W. Y., Malaivijitnond, S., & Reichard, U. H.
(2011). Gibbon travel paths are goal oriented. *Animal Cognition*, *14*(3),
395–405. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-010-0374-1
- Cunningham, E., & Janson, C. (2007). Integrating information about
location and value of resources by white-faced saki monkeys (Pithecia
pithecia). *Animal Cognition*, *10*(3), 293–304.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-007-0077-4
- Teichroeb, J. A. (2015). Vervet monkeys use paths consistent with
context-Specific spatial movement heuristics. *Ecology and Evolution*,
*5*(20), 4706–4716. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.1755
- Teichroeb, J. A., & Chapman, C. A. (2014). Sensory information and
associative cues used in food detection by wild vervet monkeys. *Animal
Cognition*, *17*(3), 517–528. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-013-0683-2
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Virendra Mathur
PhD Student
Dr. Julie Teichroeb Lab
University of Toronto
Twitter - @AmazingVirus
