The position will investigate the following:

• the efficacy of the Red-billed Oxpecker in the control of ticks on domesticated and wild animals
• the prevalence of wound-feeding of Red-billed Oxpeckers on domesticated stock
• the influence of dipping on the wound-feeding behaviour of Red-billed Oxpeckers

The candidate will be required to design and implement experiments to test the efficacy of Red-billed Oxpeckers in tick control.

Requirements:
A PhD (awarded in the last 5 years) in a relevant discipline. Candidates must be pro-active, enthusiastic, able to work independently as well as part of a dynamic team, interested in doing excellent research that will make a difference and contribute to the conservation of Red-billed Oxpeckers. They should also have their own transport and be willing to travel extensively, especially within the Limpopo province. Experience in conflict management and fluency in Afrikaans will be added advantages.

Value: R150 000 p.a. (bursary). The candidate will have access to allocated field equipment and some travel and accommodation expenses will be provided by the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

Application procedure:
Please find attached a cover sheet to accompany each application. Applicants are required to highlight in their application how they see their skills being applied to
the above-mentioned research areas and the types of questions they are interested
in addressing. The application is to include a full CV (including publication record)
certified copies of ID, Drivers license and academic record, a letter of reference and
an example publication.

Please send all documents to oxpecker@ewt.org.za with "Oxpecker Post-Doc" in the subject line. For more information or to discuss details of the project, please contact:

Leigh Combrink, EWT
Operation Oxpecker Project Co-ordinator
email: oxpecker@ewt.org.za or cell: 081 476 9790

Applications close: 31 March 2014