Overview
The Greater Mahale Ecosystem Research and Conservation Project (GMERC, Ltd.) and College of African Wildlife Management are jointly seeking a motivated and dedicated Master’s candidate to join our field research team studying wild chimpanzees in their natural habitat. This position offers an opportunity to design and carry out scientific research in behavioural observation, ecological data collection, and/or applied conservation. The successful candidate will be part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary, and international team working in challenging but rewarding field conditions in western Tanzania.

Key Responsibilities:

Carry out scientific research towards completion of a Masters dissertation.

Assist with the setup and maintenance of field equipment (e.g. GPS, camera traps, data sheets).

Collect and manage biological and environmental samples following standard protocols.

Contribute to data entry, quality control, and preliminary analysis.

Work closely with local communities and project partners to promote conservation goals.

Live and work in remote field camps with limited amenities for extended periods (weeks to months).

Participate in regular team meetings and contribute to collaborative research efforts.

Participate in disseminating project findings through presentations and publications.

Essential Ǫualities:

Completed undergraduate Bachelors (Bsc) degree in Zoology, Biology, Primatology, Anthropology, Wildlife management, Wildlife Ecology, Environmental Science, Biodiversity Conservation, Conservation Biology, or a related field with a GPA of at least 3.5/5.0.

Demonstrated interest or experience in wildlife ecology or conservation.

Field experience living in remote areas for extensive periods with basic living conditions.

Desirable Ǫualities:

Prior fieldwork experience involving wild primates, including conducting daily observations, recording behavioural, ecological, and environmental data.

Familiarity with behavioural data collection methods (e.g. focal follows, scan sampling).

Ability to work independently and as part of a team in physically and mentally demanding environments.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with cultural sensitivity, especially when working with international colleagues.

Demonstrated proficiency in data collection, analysis/management tools (MS Excel, R, GIS, etc.)

Record of academic publishing/presentations.

Compensation:
A monthly stipend will be provided for the duration of the program (24months), in addition to support for field expenses. Further support may be available based on experience and funding availability.

How to Apply:
Please send a single .pdf document that includes
1. An updated CV (maximum 2 pages) including contact details for two references.
2. Endorsement letter from academician or researcher.
3. A cover letter (no longer than 1 page) that describes how you meet the criteria, your interest in chimpanzee conservation, and a paragraph that outlines a potential study that you would carry out, including identification of a scientific question and what type of data would address it.

Please note that women are encouraged to apply.

Email this single document to sokwemtu@gmerc.org and mayengogabrielson@gmail.com with the subject line, “Masters candidate – Mweka” not later than 10 June 2025.