saw this on arbjobs, thought it would make for very interesting discussion - http://www.arbjobs.com/jobdetail.asp?ID=1448

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Democratic Republic of Congo - Primate research assistant - Bonobos


Max-Planck-Institute for Evol. Anthropology

Position Description:
For an ongoing project on the behavioural ecology of bonobos at LuiKotale, Salonga National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo, we are searching for one research assistant. Candidates are expected to have solid skills in climbing techniques required to access forest trees.

Qualifications/Experience:
Experience in tree climbing or comparative skills (e.g. industrial or free climbing) including skills in handling/maintaining climbing and proficiency in risk assessment are essential requirements. Candidates should have above average physical condition and a high resistance to psychological stress. Candidates with language skills in French will be preferred. Field work requires long-distance walking (up to 30 km per day) and working time often exceed 10 hours.

Given the difficult terrain and the extreme climate, work demands physical fitness and very high motivation. The proximity to persons from other cultures can lead to psychological stress and candidates must be prepared to adapt to difficult living conditions.

Salary/funding:
300 Euro per month

Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The project covers costs for food and lodging in the file, domestic flights and for visa costs. It contributes up to 800 Euro to an international return flight ONLY AFTER SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION of the appointment.

The project provides food and accomodation (tents) at the field site. Expenses for food and lodging during stays in Kinshasa ARE NOT COVERED. Expenses for private field equipment, medical supplies, and insurances CAN NOT BE COVERED by the project.

Term of Appointment:
9 months starting in March 2010

Application Deadline:
December 2009

Comments:
The field site is located in the province of Bandundu. Applicants are expected to search for information about the past and current political situation in the DRC. Candidates should also seek detailed information about tropical diseases, their risks and their prevention. Before entering DRC, candidates must have a valid health insurance that covers expenses within Congo, including evacuation for medical treatment.

Contact Information below:
Contact: Dr. Gottfried Hohmann
Tel: ++49 341 3550 208
Email: hohmann@eva.mpg.de
www: www.eva.mpg.de
Address: Dr. Gottfried Hohmann
Deutscher Platz 6
Leipzig 04103
Germany

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At first i thought, wow, this would be my dream job. But then all the reasonable thinking kicked in. 9 months climbing trees every day? could get tiring. Living out of a tent sounds cool, but a tent in the congo, for 9 months? And sure, i understand the pay, but by the sounds of it, alot of it would dissapear on your kit, insurance, medicine, extra food etc. I dont know, im a little torn. Would i apply in a few years as a break from work, if i was single? I think maybe i would.


But its still very cool indeed! Will anybody be applying? [/b]

Cool, a bit of a tree slave type of job but what an experience, Com'on go for it Marty!

Edit: just read the part about walking 30km a day (assuming with your gear on your back) and tree climbing, wow, either you survive or you don't.
-moss

300 euro a month = 447.94 usd.... 10hr days @ 5 days a week = 200hrs a month
447.94 usd / 200hrs = 2.24 usd/hr...

and i thought i was ripped off at 12/hr when i started tree work... i guess the plus is that you get away from mass media, pop culture, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, insurance, the law, and everything else that makes this country suck!

other fun math:
30km/day for the month = .75 cents a km or 1.20 usd a mile

Some body is going to have one hell of an experience, but it ain't gonna be me!

Ever hear about the lady that got her face ripped off by a close relative to the bonobo?

I think I'll stick to my alligator infested swamps.

Very cool stuff though, and it does make one daydream while sitting at a desk.

Nah, I better just forget about it. Susie would not be happy. For kicks I'll probably tell her that I am seriously considering it when I get home

...but...but...but just think of all the great exercise you'll get -- not only from chasing bonabos all day long but also from trying to hide from Congolese rebels who seem to like the idea of kidnapping "rich"westerners and holding them for ransom.

I've chased more than a few primates in Latin America and I can attest that trying to do 30 klicks a day (more than 18 miles) through dense rainforest and/or cloudforest while hauling climbing gear, and then making one or more climbs into the canopy is not only very difficult, but practically impossible for even the most fit of climbers.

Methinks Dr. Gottfried Hohmann is going to have a lot of problems filling this position.

I bet them rebels get the internets..


It's a TRAP