Research Assistant Position, 1 year- Fieldwork with capuchin monkeys, Costa Rica
Sarah Kovalaskas
ONE field assistant needed to assist with data collection for an NSF funded doctoral dissertation project led by Sarah Kovalaskas (Emory University) and Dr. Marcela Benitez (Emory University), aimed at understanding how between-group conflict relates to with-in group social behaviors and the hormonal mechanisms (i.e. oxytocin) underlying cooperative group defense and affiliative within-group social behaviors in wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus). Fieldwork will take place at the Capuchins de Taboga Project, a long-term project in Guanacaste, Costa Rica on the behavior, communication, endocrinology, and conservation of wild white-faced capuchins (Cebus capucinus). The assistant will be responsible for (1) locating, identifying and following habituated monkey groups; (2) collecting behavioral data (i.e. focal follows, ad lib data on social behavior, intergroup encounters) (3) collecting urine and fecal samples for hormone analyses (4) collecting demographic, reproductive, and ranging data (using GPS) as part of routine monitoring of the study population. The assistant will learn to identify individuals based on natural markings and will be trained on-site in all data collection techniques. All research is conducted at a field station located in the Taboga Forest Reserve in the Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Directors of the project are Dr. Thore Bergman (University of Michigan), Dr. Jacinta Beehner (University of Michigan), Dr. Elizabeth Tinsley-Johnson (Michigan State University), and Dr. Marcela Benitez (Emory University). Preferred applicants will be able to make a commitment of 12 months or more (preferably May 2022 to June 2023).
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: https://www.costaricainfolink.com/es/reserva-forestal-taboga-costa-rica/. For more information on the project directors, the project publications, and some photos of the fieldsite, please see the project website: https://sites.lsa.umich.edu/capuchin/. The assistant will work from Monday to Friday, (~8 hours/day), and will have free weekends (Saturdays and Sundays). Workdays typically involve intense hiking in a tropical dry forest, waking up before dawn, and returning to the field station after dusk. There are snakes and other wildlife that assistants must be able to face and (we hope) appreciate. Wasps, spiders, scorpions, mosquitoes, and ticks are all common and non-lethal, but bites and stings will happen. The site has three 4-bedroom houses that sleep ~20 people comfortably and have two full kitchens (fridge/freezer, stove, etc.), 6 bathrooms, and 6 (cold) showers. The houses are shared living spaces for international assistants and four Costa Rican full-time assistants. There is running water (potable), electricity full-time, high-speed internet, and cell phone reception is decent in the house and in the forest. We have and enforce a strict anti-harassment policy for all team members, which includes all forms of harassment (including but not limited to sexual harassment).
Qualified applicants will: 1) have a B.S. or B.A in Biology, Zoology, Biological Anthropology, or a related field, 2) be fluent in English and will preferably be proficient in Spanish which is necessary to communicate with others at the field station, 3) have prior travel and/or field experience in tropical regions is preferred, 4) have good physical fitness which is absolutely essential - the terrain is hilly and the temperatures are usually hot and humid, 5) an interest in scientific research and primate behavior. This position is an ideal way to gain primate field experience prior to beginning a graduate degree and project alumni have continued on to pursue degrees in related fields. Priority will be given to those with more field experience and/or better Spanish ability.
COVID Precautions: At present, I cannot offer a position to anyone who is not fully vaccinated. You must provide proof of vaccination to accept this position. Upon arrival at the site, everyone quarantines for three days and then must receive a negative COVID test result prior to going in the field. When going into town for supplies, you will be required to wear a mask in public (to adhere to Costa Rican laws). When in the forest, assistants must wear a mask and stay at least 6 m away from the monkeys.
Salary/funding: Although this is considered a volunteer position, some expenses are covered plus a small monthly stipend ($200 USD). Expenses covered include round-trip airfare (up to $1000) travel to and from the site and all living support (covid testing, meals, lodging). Additionally, the assistant will be provided with other basic supplies while at the field site (binoculars, sunscreen, mosquito repellant, and snake guards). The assistant will be responsible for any additional expenses incurred while traveling in Costa Rica during vacations from work. Emergency travel health insurance is not provided, and we strongly suggest you purchase your own. Additionally, volunteers are required to have basic health care insurance and must acquire the necessary vaccinations (including a Covid vaccination) prior to entry to Costa Rica. The assistant will need to provide their own personal field equipment including: appropriate clothing, hiking boots, water bottles, and a backpack. We will offer advice about what items are necessary for daily life in a tropical dry forest. We would like to see applications from a wide variety of candidates, and we particularly encourage applications from individuals who are from groups that have traditionally been under-represented in STEM fields and from fieldwork.
Appointment: A 1-year commitment is desired. I am looking for someone who can start their appointment in May 2022.
Deadline: Position will remain open until filled. Priority will be given to (1) applicants who have prior experience working with primates in the field (2) applicants who can arrive in the field within the specified start dates; and (3) applicants with better Spanish abilities. We hope to have the research assistant in the field no later than early May 2022.
Application: Please email the following materials to Sarah Kovalaskas (sko...@emory.edu): (1) a letter of interest stating how and why this position satisfies your interest and future career goals, explaining your suitability for this project, plus a time-frame during which you are available to arrive in Costa Rica, (2) a CV or resumé detailing relevant experience, (3) a transcript detailing college courses taken (can be unofficial), and (4) contact information for at least two references, preferably at least one academic reference as well as one person who has worked closely with you in a research or field setting. The subject heading of the email message should read: “Application for Costa Rican field position".