---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Hugo de Souza <hugodesouza@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 23 Jan, 2020, 13:59
Subject: Volunteer Internship Opportunity at CES, IISc Bangalore
To: muralim86@xxxxxxxxx <muralim86@xxxxxxxxx>
*Call for Volunteer Interns @ CES, IISc*
The Ecology & Biogeography of Oriental-Australian Mud Snakes
Positions are available for volunteer interns interested in fieldwork on
mangrove and wetland-dwelling snakes across the length of India’s
coastline. This project is a part of Hugo de Souza’s PhD at Kartik
Shanker’s Lab on the biogeography of snakes of the family Homalopsidae
across India and South-East Asia. Work will involve sampling for these
snakes, capturing and measuring them, and subsequently extracting blood and
tissue samples for genetic analysis.
Given that many of these snakes are nocturnal or crepuscular, a large
proportion of the work will take place at night; preparation for sampling
and scouting out potential sampling locations may take place during the day
as well. Volunteer interns are expected to help with planning, managing and
organizing field data, and sampling for snakes. These snakes are mildly
venomous and cause no harm to humans. Hence, helping with capturing and
measuring these snakes is imperative, though no prior experience with snake
handling is required for eligibility.
This project will provide the intern an opportunity to learn field
techniques including snake handling and morphometric estimation, Homalopsid
identification, and the organisation and management of field data. There is
scope for interns to initiate projects of their own in close parallel with
the biogeography project.
All expenses while on the field, including but not limited to travel, food,
and accommodation will be covered by the project.
*Duration:* February to September 2020.
*Note –* Individual trips for fieldwork will usually range from 2-3 weeks
and will rarely extend beyond a month. Interns are expected to attend at
least 3 of these trips as their first trip will predominantly be spent
learning relevant techniques for the project.
*Candidates must have:*
- At least a Bachelor’s degree, preferably in a wildlife or biology
discipline, though any Bachelor’s degree will suffice for eligibility.
*Candidates must be:*
1. Physically fit. Experience of hiking through mangroves and marshland
is a plus, but not necessary.
2. Willing to work hours at night in cold, wet weather.
3. Respectful and collegial towards field assistants and locals.
4. Willing to chill and play board games / watch TV series or
documentaries during free time.
*The volunteer will have to put up with:*
1. Basic food and accommodation (Coffee and chocolates covered!).
2. Carrying heavy loads on certain days.
3. Working at night in semi-wet terrain.
*In return he/she will enjoy:*
1. Hands-on training in snake handling, identification, and morphometric
measurement.
2. Discussions which may result in the initiation of the intern’s own
projects.
3. Free time for birding, butterfly-watching, herping etc.
4. All-expense paid travel to beaches and wetlands and the chance to
spot organisms most people have never even heard about! 😊
5. Authentic local food (for the prospective foodies out there!).
*Additional Note –* This is not a paid position. However, all living and
travel expenses in the field will be covered by the project.
If interested, please write to me at *hugodesouza@xxxxxxxxxx
<hugodesouza@xxxxxxxxxx>* with the subject 'Volunteer 2020', and include
the following information in your email:
1. Name
2. Age
3. Your current city
4. Work experience (that is relevant to the project) and why you would
like to volunteer.
5. Your resume/CV
Best,
Hugo.
*--*
*Hugo F. de Souza*
PhD Scholar,
Evolutionary Ecology and Biogeography Lab. <https://kslab.weebly.com/>,
TB-01, Centre for Ecological Sciences <http://ces.iisc.ac.in/new/>,
Indian Institute of Science <http://www.iisc.ac.in/>,
Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560012
Phone - +91 8495911720