Kokolopori Bonobo Research One-Year Fellowship in DRC

Position Overview

Compensation: $500 per month plus all travel and living expenses
Application Deadline: 05/30/2025
Starting Date: between 06/01/2025 and 08/01/2025
Ending Date: between 06/01/2026 and 08/01/2026
Hours per Week: 45
Education Required: Bachelors
Experience Required: none

Harvard University invites early-career conservationists to apply for a one-year research fellowship in bonobo ecology at the Kokolopori Bonobo Reserve in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Fellows will work under the mentorship of Professor Martin Surbeck in one of the most remote and biologically rich environments in central Africa.

Description

This immersive field fellowship provides practical conservation research experience on bonobo ecology, including food availability, sympatric wildlife, climate impact, and human interactions. Fellows will conduct field surveys, collect biological samples, and contribute to ongoing research on diet, genetics, pathogens, and more. Additionally, fellows will assist in project management, data reporting, and coordination with local field staff.

All travel, visa, and field expenses will be covered by the program, including international flights, in-country transport, lodging, and meals.

Responsibilities
• Conduct ecological and behavioral observations of bonobos
• Collect organic samples for genetics, metabolomics, and isotope analysis
• Support research on food sources and climate conditions
• Coordinate with local field assistants and project leaders
• Maintain accurate field logs and data entry
• Assist in community social surveys and local engagement
• Contribute to logistical and camp operations

Minimum Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology, conservation, or related field
• Conversational competency in both English and French
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Comfortable living in extreme field conditions with minimal infrastructure
• Physically able to work in remote tropical forests
• Commitment to ethical conduct, safety, and teamwork

Preferred Qualifications
• Previous fieldwork in tropical or remote locations
• Experience with GPS, camera traps, or biological sample collection
• Familiarity with software like Cybertracker, QGIS, BaseCamp/MapSource
• Ability to navigate cross-cultural settings and remote work environments
• Strong interest in primate conservation and applied research

Additional Notes

This is a one-year, full-time field-based fellowship with basic accommodations. Alcohol and drug use are strictly prohibited on-site. The fellowship includes rigorous safety and ethics protocols. Fellows must secure their own health insurance, required vaccinations, and personal field gear.

How to Apply

Apply online at: https://groups.google.com/a/g-groups.wisc.edu/g/primate-job/c/I-eslKg547Q
Contact:
Danielle Da Cruz
danielledacruz@fas.harvard.edu (preferred contact method)