Overview: We are recruiting one field assistant for a study of white-faced capuchin physiology and ecology in Costa Rica. This research is conducted through the Capuchins at Taboga Project, a long-term study of the behavior and endocrinology of wild white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). All research is conducted at a tropical dry forest field station located in the Taboga Forest Reserve in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The assistant will work closely with Jordan Lucore, a Ph.D. student at the University of Michigan advised by Dr. Jacinta Beehner, a director of the project, and Dr. Andy Marshall.
The assistant will be responsible for the following: (1) locating and following monkey groups; (2) collecting fecal and urine samples (3) recognizing individual monkeys, and monkey food items (to detail the context in samples are collected); (4) processing samples (5) contributing to other aspects of the larger Capuchins at Taboga project as needed. All tools and training required to conduct this work will be provided by the Ph.D. student and experienced project assistants.
The project field station is part of a field campus of the Universidad Técnica Nacional of Costa Rica at Taboga. You can read more about the location
here. We have a multiple 4-bedroom houses that sleep at least 7 people comfortably, however, this assistant is expected to share a room as bedroom space is limited. The houses have potable running water, reliable electricity and internet, full kitchens, two bathrooms with showers, and laundry facilities. The house is shared by our Costa Rican staff assistants, volunteer assistants, and graduate students conducting research. Capuchins at Taboga is a relatively new research project, but the directors have considerable experience running primate field stations (see one of their other projects
here).
Qualified applicants will have a B.S. or B.A in Biology, Zoology, Biological Anthropology, Psychology, or a related field. Applicants must be fluent/highly proficient in English and conversational in Spanish (or at least willing to learn Spanish!), both of which are necessary to communicate with others at the field station. Prior travel and/or field experience in tropical regions is preferred but not required. Due to the nature of working with monkeys, good hearing and attention to detail are essential. An ability to work full days (~ 8 to 10 hours) outdoors in hot, humid conditions, on sometimes steep terrain, and through sometimes brushy forest is also required. We think the beauty of the forest and the wildlife is well worth it! Assistants must also be comfortable living and working closely with others.
COVID Precautions: Full vaccination is required. Upon arrival to the field site, the assistant will quarantine for 7 days, at which point we will administer a saliva-based COVID-19 test. Following a negative test result, the assistant will then move into group housing. Assistants take turns going to town for groceries, are required to wear a mask in public at all times, and are expected to participate in regular follow-up COVID testing throughout their time at the field site. Extended time away from the field site must be approved, and quarantine will be required again upon return. When in the forest, assistants must wear a mask and stay at least six meters away from the monkeys.
Funding & Compensation: This is a volunteer position, so there is no salary. However, round-trip airfare and all living support will be provided (e.g., travel, meals, lodging). The project will provide emergency travel health insurance, but the assistant will be responsible for their own basic healthcare needs (which tend to be affordable in Costa Rica). The assistant will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred while traveling on their own in Costa Rica (during breaks from work). Costa Rica does not require specific vaccinations to enter the country, but the assistant will be responsible for securing any
recommended vaccinations they wish to have. The volunteer will need to provide their own backpack, field clothing and footwear. We will offer advice about what items are necessary for daily life in a tropical dry forest.
The project is also committed to including assistants as authors on scientific publications made possible by their contributions in the field.
Appointment: A 10-month commitment is preferred. We are looking for someone who can start their appointment in September of 2022 and finish in June of 2023.
Deadline: The position will remain open until filled, and priority will be given to those who apply earlier. We hope to fill the position by the end of June, 2022.
Application: Please email the following materials to Ph.D. student Jordan Lucore at this email address jlucore@umich.edu : (1) a letter of interest stating how and why this position satisfies your interest and future career goals, explaining your suitability for this project, plus a time frame during which you are available to work (when you are free to travel), (2) a CV or resume detailing relevant experience, including relevant college courses taken, and (3) contact information for two references, preferably one academic reference and one work-related reference. The subject heading of the email message should read: “Application for field research position."
We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment at this research site. We encourage applications from members of groups underrepresented in field sciences, including members of visible minorities, racialized groups, and LGBTQ+ communities. We also encourage applications from nationals of primate habitat countries, and especially from Costa Ricans.