The Behavioural Ecology & Sociobiology Unit within the Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH (DPZ), is an independent research institute member of the Leibniz Association located in Göttingen, Germany. Researchers in this unit essentially study the behaviour, ecology and biodiversity of vertebrates, with a special focus on lemurs and New World monkeys, in their study sites in Madagascar and Peru.

Internship in animal behaviour in Madagascar

Location of the internship

Kirindy Forest, Madagascar. The German Primate Center (DPZ) has operated a field station in this forest since 1993. The field station provides basic accommodation for about 10 researchers and our local team. The field station is provided with solar power, kitchen, and individual cabins

Expected work

The candidate is expected to contribute to the data collection of a PhD project through animal observations in the field, but may also develop his own problematic. A possible thematic is for example:

Intersex differences in scent-marking behaviour in the red-fronted lemurs
Scent-marking behaviours have been suggested to have different functions as, territory demarcation (intergroup spacing), food resource ownership, intra-sexual competition or inter-sexual communication. These behaviours represent different costs and benefits depending on the sex of the individual. Females will have a greater interest to defend territory and resources as they are philopatric, whereas immigrant males will possibly benefit from scent marking by being better tolerated in the group. By comparing the spatial distribution, frequency and nature of the scent marking behaviours between both sexes we aim to uncover the main function(s) of scent-marking in the red-fronted lemurs

Duration

60-90 days from July 2018

Costs

All costs are at the expense of the applicant. The estimated costs to consider are:
– Travel: visa (54€), international return flight ticket (750-900€), taxi-brousse seats (30€) or national flight ticket (500€), hotel fees and food for the days of transfer.
– During the internship: camp fees (7€/day), additional food costs possible for the weekend when returning to town (accommodation provided)

Required skills

Patience, ability to work independently, scientific rigour, and good physical condition

Contact and apply

Please send your application to Louise Peckre lpeckre@dpz.eu before the 12th April. Please remember to mention your period of availability