Hiring Organization:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Date Posted:
2012-09-27
Position Description:
I
am looking for 2 field assistants to help with data collection for my
PhD project on the foraging ecology of white-faced capuchins (Cebus
capucinus) at La Suerte Biological Field Station in Costa Rica from
mid-January 2013 to mid-January 2014. Both positions would entail a)
collecting behavioral data on social interactions and foraging; b)
collecting fecal samples from focal individuals (for later molecular
analysis); c) collecting and processing samples of foods eaten by the
monkeys; and d) collecting detailed ecological data.
La Suerte is in northeastern Costa Rica (~20km inland from Tortuguero
National Park) and is a very wet lowland forest with no real dry season.
There are three species of monkeys at the site (Geoffroy’s spider
monkey and mantled howler monkeys in addition to white-faced capuchins).
Applicants should have above average physical fitness, as capuchins can
be quite speedy. Field assistants will be expected to work 6 days/week,
though not all of those days will be spent following the monkeys. Days
spent following monkeys will require leaving the house by 4:45am to make
it to the monkeys’ sleeping site before they wake up and then following
the monkeys until dusk (~5:30pm). Days spent doing ecological data
collection or sample processing will be shorter (~6-8 hours).
Living accommodations will be in a house with electricity, running hot
water, and flush toilets. There is a phone onsite for incoming calls and
satellite internet in the small town of Primavera, a 15 minute walk.
The larger town of Cariari is an hour away by bus and has high speed
internet (along with most anything else you could want). La Suerte also
runs a field school, so there are varying numbers of people at the
station throughout the year. While we are the only ones on site, you
would have your own room and we would cook our own meals. When there are
students at the station (mostly June-August, and mid-December to
mid-January), you will likely have to share a room, but meals would be
cooked by the staff.
More information on the field site can be found here:
http://www.maderasrfc.org/Maderas_Rainforest_Conservancy/La_Suerte_B.F.S..html.
Qualifications/Experience:
All applicants must have:
1. A B.S. or B.A. in Biology, Zoology, Anthropology, Psychology or a related field.
2. Experience working on a research project (preferably experience working on a field project or collecting behavioral data).
3. Experience traveling or living abroad, or living in remote areas.
4. Fluency in English, knowledge of Spanish or a willingness to learn
(La Suerte is not in an area of Costa Rica frequented by tourists, so
English-speakers are rare).
5. The ability to work as part of a team and independently, as well as
live in close proximity with a small number of people for an extended
period of time.
Fieldwork tends to be hard and frustrating, but also very rewarding. You
will be spending long hours in a hot, humid rainforest covered in
mosquitoes and mud, lose the monkeys, miss home, and long for food that
is not rice and beans. A good sense of humor, patience, flexibility, a
love of being outdoors and passion for research is essential.
Salary/funding:
No salary will be provided.
Support
provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
Living
costs will be partially supported. Food costs will be covered for the
duration of the project. Transportation to/from San Jose at the
beginning/end of the project will be provided. Successful applicants
will be expected to cover half of their field station fees ($50/week).
Assistants are responsible for airfare to/from Costa Rica, visa costs,
vaccinations, travel insurance, malaria prophylaxis, travel/food/lodging
costs while on vacation, and all personal gear.
Additional support may be available, depending on the results of grant applications.
Term of Appointment:
A
minimum 6-month commitment is required, 12-month commitment preferred.
Field assistants will have 1 week off every 3 months (to travel, have
family visit, renew your visa, etc).
Application Deadline:
Deadline
for submission is November 1st. Please submit a letter of interest
(detailing your interest in the position, how it relates to your career
goals, your qualifications for the position, and your availability), CV,
and contact information for at least one reference to
mallott2@illinois.edu.
Contact
Information:
109 Davenport Hall, 607 S Mathews Ave
Urbana, IL 61801
USA
Website:
E-mail Address: