Hiring Organization:
Fernando Campos, Doctoral Student, University of Calgary
Position Description:
I am looking for one field assistant to help me collect data for my PhD project on white-faced capuchin movement ecology. My research project is part of a long-term study of capuchin monkeys at Santa Rosa that spans nearly 30 years and is directed by Dr. Linda Fedigan (University of Calgary).
I monitor five social groups of capuchins that are habituated to human observers. After an intensive training period to establish inter-observer reliability, each observer will work alone in the forest. Therefore, you must have a strong work ethic and be self-motivated to observe the monkeys and carry out data collection. Each observer will work two consecutive days followed by a day off from the field for entering and cleaning data. Groups must be followed from sunrise to sunset (sleep tree to sleep tree) to avoid losing them.
You would assist with a wide range of data collection, including (1) focal animal samples on individuals to record foraging behavior, travel route, and continuous activity; (2) group scans at regular intervals to record the group's geographic location and microhabitat usage, (3) visits to fruit trees; (4) phenological data on major food tree species; and (5) demographic data at monthly intervals on all study groups. I would provide all data-collection equipment. Work at the field site is physically demanding, with long work hours and temperatures reaching 37°C. The term of appointment corresponds to the dry season in Costa Rica. The monkeys’ high degree of habituation, the open deciduous forest, and the lack of rain produce superb observation conditions during this time.
Santa Rosa, in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, is a world-renowned research site for tropical dry-forest ecology. The infrastructure is quite good for primate field work: drinkable running water, showers and flushing toilets, reliable electricity, laundry machines, a cafeteria, beds, and wireless internet in the rooms. There are large supermarkets nearby in the city of Liberia, which is approximately 45 minutes from the field site by taxi.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants for this position should:
1) have a positive attitude and a strong work ethic;
2) be able to commit for 6 months;
3) be in good physical condition, with the ability to endure long field days in hot conditions;
4) be comfortable spending time away from family and friends for an extended period of time;
5) speak fluent conversational English or Spanish (both languages are not required).
People with a strong fear of stinging insects or snakes should not apply, because both are plentiful in Santa Rosa. Preference will be given to applicants with past field research experience and with a strong interest in the behavioral ecology of wild animals.
Salary/funding:
No salary will be provided.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
I can cover housing costs at the research station. Furthermore, assistants who successfully complete at least 6-months may have travel costs reimbursed. I have applied for additional funds to cover assistants' food, but these funds are not yet secured. Therefore, assume that you would have to pay for your own food (~$150 USD per month).
Term of Appointment:
6 months: beginning of January to end of June 2011.
Application Deadline:
Until positions are filled. Please apply as soon as possible.
Comments:
If you are interested, please email me at facampos@ucalgary.ca. Please include:
1. A short letter of interest
2. Your CV that describes any relevant coursework or research experience 3. Email contact of one referee who can comment on your background and experience. A reference from a professor or past research supervisor will carry more weight.
Contact Information:
Fernando Campos
Dept. of Anthropology, 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary, AB T2N1N4 Canada
Telephone Number:
4032204863
Website:
http://anth.ucalgary.ca/santarosa/
E-mail Address:
facampos@ucalgary.ca
Fernando Campos, Doctoral Student, University of Calgary
Position Description:
I am looking for one field assistant to help me collect data for my PhD project on white-faced capuchin movement ecology. My research project is part of a long-term study of capuchin monkeys at Santa Rosa that spans nearly 30 years and is directed by Dr. Linda Fedigan (University of Calgary).
I monitor five social groups of capuchins that are habituated to human observers. After an intensive training period to establish inter-observer reliability, each observer will work alone in the forest. Therefore, you must have a strong work ethic and be self-motivated to observe the monkeys and carry out data collection. Each observer will work two consecutive days followed by a day off from the field for entering and cleaning data. Groups must be followed from sunrise to sunset (sleep tree to sleep tree) to avoid losing them.
You would assist with a wide range of data collection, including (1) focal animal samples on individuals to record foraging behavior, travel route, and continuous activity; (2) group scans at regular intervals to record the group's geographic location and microhabitat usage, (3) visits to fruit trees; (4) phenological data on major food tree species; and (5) demographic data at monthly intervals on all study groups. I would provide all data-collection equipment. Work at the field site is physically demanding, with long work hours and temperatures reaching 37°C. The term of appointment corresponds to the dry season in Costa Rica. The monkeys’ high degree of habituation, the open deciduous forest, and the lack of rain produce superb observation conditions during this time.
Santa Rosa, in the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, is a world-renowned research site for tropical dry-forest ecology. The infrastructure is quite good for primate field work: drinkable running water, showers and flushing toilets, reliable electricity, laundry machines, a cafeteria, beds, and wireless internet in the rooms. There are large supermarkets nearby in the city of Liberia, which is approximately 45 minutes from the field site by taxi.
Qualifications/Experience:
Applicants for this position should:
1) have a positive attitude and a strong work ethic;
2) be able to commit for 6 months;
3) be in good physical condition, with the ability to endure long field days in hot conditions;
4) be comfortable spending time away from family and friends for an extended period of time;
5) speak fluent conversational English or Spanish (both languages are not required).
People with a strong fear of stinging insects or snakes should not apply, because both are plentiful in Santa Rosa. Preference will be given to applicants with past field research experience and with a strong interest in the behavioral ecology of wild animals.
Salary/funding:
No salary will be provided.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
I can cover housing costs at the research station. Furthermore, assistants who successfully complete at least 6-months may have travel costs reimbursed. I have applied for additional funds to cover assistants' food, but these funds are not yet secured. Therefore, assume that you would have to pay for your own food (~$150 USD per month).
Term of Appointment:
6 months: beginning of January to end of June 2011.
Application Deadline:
Until positions are filled. Please apply as soon as possible.
Comments:
If you are interested, please email me at facampos@ucalgary.ca. Please include:
1. A short letter of interest
2. Your CV that describes any relevant coursework or research experience 3. Email contact of one referee who can comment on your background and experience. A reference from a professor or past research supervisor will carry more weight.
Contact Information:
Fernando Campos
Dept. of Anthropology, 2500 University Dr. NW Calgary, AB T2N1N4 Canada
Telephone Number:
4032204863
Website:
http://anth.ucalgary.ca/santarosa/
E-mail Address:
facampos@ucalgary.ca