volunteer field assistant in Costa Rica (6 months)
Irene Godoy
Position: Volunteer field assistant on project studying wild white-faced capuchin monkeys in Costa Rica
Hiring Organization: Universität Bielefeld, Germany
Date Posted: January 31, 2022
Position Description: I am a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bielefeld in Germany collaborating with the Lomas Barbudal Monkey Project. I will be monitoring one or two habituated groups of wild white-faced capuchin monkeys for a period of 6 months (Mar-Aug) – collecting behavioral, genetic, and hormonal data.
I am looking for a field assistant to assist with data collection. You will be responsible for collecting behavioral and GPS data, collecting fecal samples opportunistically, taking censuses of groups, and helping with fecal sample processing. You will be trained on monkey IDs, vocalization recognition, and behavioral data collection.
Before applying, make sure to take a close look at the field guide for the Lomas Barbudal Capuchin Project to get a sense of the terrain and typical work schedule of field assistants.
APPLICANTS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED UNLESS THEY HAVE READ THE FIELD GUIDE.
You will stay with other project personnel in the town of Pijije near the Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve.
Field days are long (typically 12 to 14 hours) and physically demanding. It is usually hot and we must walk long distances to keep up with the monkeys. Most of our time will be spent off-trail and on the move. Please contact me via email for any additional information and to express interest.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
In order to be considered, an application packet must contain the following materials:
1. Letter of interest: Describe your career goals, why you are interested, and your suitability for this project.
2. CV/resume: detailing relevant experience and coursework
3. Transcript: of college courses taken (unofficial copy OK) (for institutions outside of the US, please include a summary of coursework and grades)
4. References: Please send the contact information (including email addresses) for 3 or more people who would be willing to write letters of support. We prefer that this list include
a. one academic reference in a relevant field (e.g. primate behavior, animal behavior),
b. one person who has supervised the applicant’s research or work in the past, and
c. one person who has lived with the applicant in a cooperative living situation, preferably in the field.
IMPORTANT: The assembled materials should be sent via email with the subject heading “application for field assistant position” to: irene...@uni-bielefeld.de
If you do not hear back within a week’s time acknowledging receipt of your application, please resend it to alert me that it may have gone to junk mail. Applications are not reviewed until they are complete. If the application looks promising, a ZOOM/Skype or phone interview will be conducted.
Qualifications/Experience: You must be able to carry a heavy backpack (3-6 liters of water, project equipment, etc.), positive attitude, high tolerance for stress, not afraid to crash off of trails, Spanish language skills preferred but not required. Previous field experience is a plus. Preference will be given to applicants that can begin sooner rather than later.
COVID restrictions: The applicant must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the start of the volunteer position, and must wear a face mask when it is required.
Salary/funding: This is a volunteer position. However, $100 stipend will be given at the end of each field month. The stipend increases to $200 per month once an assistant has passed their code test and typing speed test.
Support provided for internship/volunteer positions (travel, meals, lodging): Room and board will be covered during the work month. Upon completion of a 6-month contract (Mar-Aug), and ONLY upon completion, I will be able to refund up to $1000 in travel costs. Assistants must provide their own medical insurance and arrange for their own vaccinations.
Term of Appointment: A 6-month commitment (March 1, 2022 through August 31, 2022) is necessary. Field assistants must also be available the last week of February 2022 for ZOOM/Skype meetings to go over project protocols and to begin training on codes.
Application Deadline: I will begin reviewing applications immediately and will continue until the assistant position is filled.
Comments: This is a great opportunity to get primatology field experience. It is a short-term commitment beginning in the dry season when visibility is high.
Contact Information: Irene Godoy, Department of Animal Behaviour, Universität Bielefeld, Box 100131, Morgenbreede 45, 33501 Bielefeld, Germany
Telephone Number: +49 521 106 2731
Fax Number:
Website: https://sites.google.com/view/irene-godoy/home
E-mail Address: irene...@uni-bielefeld.de