Field Research Assistant - Department of Virology - Faculty of Health Sciences at University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria

The incumbent will be responsible for:

Preparing for fieldwork including;

• Generating and verifying inventories, stock taking, and restocking of fieldwork consumables;
• Ensuring that all equipment is clean and in working condition;
• Coordinating packing and unpacking of field equipment and supplies at campus and in the field;
• Overseeing maintenance, cleaning and disinfection of all field equipment;
• Assisting with procurement of field equipment and supplies;
• Coordinating accommodation and food for field visits;
• Coordinating the maintenance and using of field vehicles and trailers according to UP policies;
• Overseeing field store rooms and keeping inventories up to date.

Fieldwork related activities to collect data and samples from animals

• Being present at all fieldwork activities;
• Ensuring and reviewing data sheets to ensure that it is correctly completed;
• Completing all environmental, site data and climate data;
• Collecting from environmental samples from bat roosts;
• Collecting of all climate data;
• Collecting of movement and tracking data;
• Coordinating disinfection of biohazardous equipment and supplies;
• Coordinating waste management linked to fieldwork;
• Coordinating return of samples to biobanks after collection;
• Coordinating and assisting with the entering of all field data into the database;
• Collecting of biological samples from small mammals;
• Collecting of morphometric data from small mammals.

Assist in administrative duties specifically;

• Providing training to other staff and students where needed;
• Assisting with the administration of fieldwork SOPs (formatting, updating, editing);
• Assisting with the analysis of environmental and ecological data where needed;
• Assisting with research report and grant writing where needed;
• Assisting with preparation of permits and other regulatory permissions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• BSc/BTech in Zoology or Ecology or a related field
• Experience in working with mammals, trapping and handling methods, fieldwork and coordination of fieldwork
• Excel and other statistical analyses experience
• A valid driver’s license
• SAVC registered