Hiring Organization:
UCLA
Date Posted:
Feb 14, 2020
Position Description:
The
Lomas Barbudal Capuchin Project has been running for 29 years, and
(funding permitting) will continue for many years to come. Each year we
accept about 6 interns who stay a full year and participate in data
collection. The project currently monitors 10 social groups of monkeys.
Virtually all monkeys are well habituated, and their genetic
relationships are known, as well as social histories dating back several
years in most cases. The primary focus of research during primary focus
during 2020-21 will be the role of alloparents (and grandparents in
particular) in shaping the learning environment for young capuchins,
though we will also be continuing many long-term projects related to
life history and cultural evolution. In addition to collecting data, we
are actively involved in environmental education in the community, at
all age levels, so Spanish speaking applicants should tell us if they
are interested in that component of the project. The educational
outreach component of the project will be particularly prominent in
2020, as we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the project.
Application instructions and a detailed guide to working on the project are on the following website:
Please
read the detailed guide to working on the monkey project BEFORE
applying or contacting the project, as this will answer virtually all
questions. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to read the book
"Manipulative Monkeys: The Capuchins of Lomas Barbudal," which is a
popular science book documenting not only the first 15 years of
scientific research, but the life style of researchers working at this
site. The PI (Prof. Susan Perry, UCLA) spends ~4 months/year on site
participating in data collection and training of interns, affording a
closer working relationship between PI and volunteer than is typical for
most field sites.
Qualifications/Experience:
There
are no absolute criteria, and we try to hire people with a blend of
different talents. But some traits that help are good grades (>3.3
GPA), some prior Spanish training, and prior experience studying animal
behavior and working in the field. Skills in construction (for house
repairs), computer maintenance and website design would be nice
additional perks but are non-essential. The most important trait in a
field assistant is strong work ethic and the ability to make a firm
commitment for a year. Please do not apply if you are the sort of person
who signs contracts and then backs out, as such behavior is highly
damaging to the project (as well as to your own reputation). It is also
highly desirable for applicants to have done some reading in primatology
(not just websites, but journal articles and books, including some from
this project) before applying.
Salary/funding:
None.
However, 2 field manager positions (which some salary in addition to
room and board) will open at some point during 2020, and these positions
will almost certainly be chosen from this year’s group of interns. Room
and board and ground transportation will be covered. During 2020-2021,
we will be able to refund plane fares to the site in 2020-2021 up to a
certain amount, once the year-long commitment is completed. See below.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging):
The
project will cover the cost of on-site housing and meals in the project
house, though interns must feed themselves when away on vacation and
visa trips. There is an initial training deposit to cover food costs
during training; however, this will be reimbursed to assistants who stay
for their full contract. Assistants must buy their own medical
insurance and the cost of sundries.
Field
site managers will be selected from among the interns, and these people
will earn a modest stipend. Please, when you apply, specify the minimum
among of financial support you would need in order to be a viable
applicant, and state dates of your availability. If financial stress is
the only thing keeping you from applying, we will do our best to help
you find additional funding sources.
Term of Appointment:
Minimum
one year. Start dates are flexible, but we need at least one person to
start immediately, and hope to fill 3 additional positions in Mar-June
2020.
Application Deadline:
Rolling
deadlines: We keep a bank of applications on file to replace people who
leave unexpectedly (e.g. due to illness), so if you might want to come
at some unspecified time in the future, it’s good to have your
application on file so we know you are interested.
Comments:
These
internships are excellent preparation for graduate school. Interns who
finish their terms have always received admission to high quality
graduate programs (70 of our past interns have been accepted to graduate
school).
Contact Information:
Dept. of Anthropology, Box 951553, UCLA
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1553
USA
Telephone Number:
310-267-4338
Fax Number:
310-206-7833
Website:
E-mail Address: