Job Opportunity - The School for Field Studies: Lecturer in Tropical Coastal Ecology

[SFS Jobs]

The School for Field Studies is hiring for the role of Lecturer in Tropical Coastal Ecology at our Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies in Bocas del Toro, Panama.

Institutional Mission: 

SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.  

Start Date:  

August 2026  

This is an academic year contract position with the likely continuance depending on successful completion of duties and contract renewal. 

Position Summary: 
The SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies, located in Bocas del Toro, Panama seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester in Panama. On a contract basis, the Lecturer in Tropical Coastal Ecology will deliver the 50-hour Tropical Coastal Ecology course during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, during fall and spring, they will co-teach the 50-hour Directed Research course with other faculty members, leading a faculty-developed directed research project with a small group of students. This position will also assist in teaching one 50-hour summer course, Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact.  Depending on program needs, the teaching portfolio may expand to include a second summer course in the future. 

SFS programs are field-based and experiential. This position will engage students in a classroom and through extensive time spent in the field. We encourage faculty to integrate as much fieldwork and hands-on experience into their courses as possible.  

SFS programs do not follow a nine to five model. Faculty are also integral members of the Center’s communal living model, eating and working with the student cohort.   

Faculty are expected to be active members in the community-building process. Additional responsibilities outside of teaching may include participation in community engagement days, involvement in student life, organization of laboratory space, and general Center upkeep. We are especially interested in candidates with experience teaching field research to a diverse student body, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in a learning environment, conservation, and the Center’s host community.   

Center Focus:
The central theme of The School for Field Studies (SFS) Panama study abroad program is “islands as a delicate system,” with emphasis on the resources of Panama’s spectacular coastal and marine environments. Students will explore several key interfaces: human and natural systems, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and conservation and development. The goal of this undergraduate study abroad program is to assess the state of the archipelago’s natural habitats, define the main environmental issues, and understand the community’s goals for natural resource management. Our ultimate aim is to share knowledge gathered from our research to help inform local governance initiatives and to be an organization driven to support local communities in the Bocas del Toro Province.  

To learn more and apply, please visit the SFS Careers page: https://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/