Tropical Fieldwork - Research Assistant Position ‘The Evolution of Sociality in Tropical Wasps’

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Tropical Fieldwork - Research Assistant Position ‘The evolution of sociality in tropical wasps’. Starts early July ‘15, 3 month commitment. Description A volunteer field assistant is required to help with a field-based project on behaviour in social wasps. The position is a fantastic opportunity to gain tropical field experience working in a vibrant research group - lead by Dr. Seirian Sumner from the University of Bristol, UK http://www.bristol.ac.uk/biology/people/seirian-r-sumner/. This exciting project combines behavioural experiments with next-generation sequencing to understand the molecular mechanisms behind sociality. Fieldwork will be conducted on the island of Trinidad, and will run from July-September. Research involves marking individual wasps, manipulations, conducting censuses, sample collections, and behavioural observations. Qualifications/Terms The assistant is expected to be a graduate or 2nd- year onward student with a good degree 2:1 or equivalent in the biological sciences. Background in molecular studies is not essential, as fieldwork is behavioural based. Research is suited towards those with a keen interest in behavioural ecology, social evolution, and/or entomology. Applicants should be fit, enthusiastic, hard working, happy with living shared accommodation, and working in uncomfortable & challenging conditions. Previous experience of working on social insects would be advantageous. The applicant must be able to commit to the full field season. These wasps can sting when provoked, so applicants must have no know previous allergies to wasp/bee stings. Due to the nature of work you may also be required to work at heights on ladders and must have full colour vision. Funding/Support Flights will be funded up to £500, with any costs above this to be paid for by the applicant. Accommodation in Trinidad will be provided. Worldwide applicants are supported, although must be fluent in English. Costs related to food etc. are expected to be self-funded (Trinidad supermarkets are of UK prices). More Details Feel free to contact: Dr. Daisy Taylor [email protected] and/or Robin Southon [email protected] for more details. Applications should include a CV with email addresses for two referees and a 1-page cover letter explaining why you would like to work on the project. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to both Dr. Daisy Taylor & Robin Southon by 1st June ‘15. Shortlisted applications will be notified by email and will be invited for interview either in person or over skype/phone shortly after..

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