We are recruiting a field assistant for the Capuchins at Taboga Project, a long-term project in Costa Rica on the behavior, communication, endocrinology, and conservation of wild white-faced capuchins (Cebus imitator). All research is conducted at a field station located in the Taboga Forest Reserve in the Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica.
We are currently looking for a research assistant who is willing to conduct behavioral field studies in addition to being our hormone technician – This research position will be someone who has some lab experience, and who would like to get a bit of field experience in addition while conducting on-site laboratory work in Costa Rica. Experience with enzyme-immunoassays (EIAs) would be amazing, but is not required. We will provide training on site. The successful candidate will be responsible for extracting and analyzing hormones as they are collected each day, maintaining the on-site laboratory, maintaining standard operating protocols for all laboratory personnel. Half of this position will also be conducting fieldwork.
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. 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.
Directors of the project are Drs. Thore Bergman and Jacinta Beehner (University of Michigan), and Dr. Marcela Benitez (Emory University). 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 multiple 4-bedroom houses that each sleep 7 people comfortably. Each house has 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. You should come prepared to share a room.
COVID Precautions: You must have a Covid-19 vaccination (and be boosted) to be part of this project. Upon arrival to the field site, the assistant will quarantine for 3 days, at which point we will administer a 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 and Compensation: This is a volunteer position, so there is no formal salary, but there is an extra monthly stipend of $200, in addition to all expenses being covered. Round-trip airfare from your home city and living support while conducting fieldwork will be provided (e.g., travel, meals, lodging, visa trips every 3 months). The project will provide emergency travel health insurance, but the assistant needs to have their own basic healthcare plan. The assistant will be responsible for covering expenses during vacations (3 weeks of vacation time). 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 provide snake gaiters (lower leg coverings) and binoculars. We can also 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 one-year commitment is preferred, and longer-term appointments are also possible after the year is up. We are looking for assistants who can start their appointment anytime during the summer of 2023. Applicants who decide to remain for longer than one year, will receive one round-trip flight to their home country for a break in between appointments.
Deadline: Positions will remain open until filled. We hope to fill the position before Jun 2023; and we hope to have the assistant in the field by Aug 2023 at the latest.
Application: Please email the following materials to Dr. Jacinta C. Beehner at (jbeehner@umich.edu):
A letter stating your qualifications for this position, whether you speak Spanish, how the position fits with your interests and future career goals, and when you would be available to come.
A CV or resumé detailing relevant experience
A summary of college courses taken and the grades received.
Contact information for at least two references, preferably at least one academic reference as well as one person who has worked closely with you or who has closely supervised your work. No need to send letters at this time. We will request letters at a later stage in the process.
The subject heading of the email message should read: “Application for Costa Rican field 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, including Costa Ricans.