Field Assistant in Ecuador: Primate ecology, parasitology, and behavior

Two projects studying various primate species in Ecuador will begin this summer and resume in January 2010. The first position is part of a PhD dissertation research project and focuses on the human impacts of logging and human encroachment on primate parasitic disease and population genetics. The second project is geared towards a master’s student who has recently started or intends to start their program in Fall 2010. This project is designed around the study of mate choice in Ecuadorian primates. In this case, the student will have prior experience or an intense desire to study primate behavior, parasitology and population genetics. For both projects, please email learn more about the details of the project.

For the dissertation research project, field assistants will be responsible for various activities, including but not limited to, data collection on group demographics, ranging patterns, social behavior, and forest structure. Additionally, assistants will be involved in locating primate groups, taking GPS readings, collecting fecal samples, maintaining trails, and intense hiking. The physical difficulty of hiking in such adverse terrain requires that candidate health be excellent. A full understanding or experience with any part of the research is not required, though an intense desire to learn about them is required.

Field assistants for the dissertation project will not be allowed to collect data for independent publication. However, your participation in co-authoring papers is strongly encouraged based on the data you collect in the field. Master’s students will use data for their own thesis, and I will work with them on publishing findings. Laboratory research and training is possible and may be required: please contact me for further details.

These opportunities will provide candidates with extensive field research experience, potential publication experience and possible laboratory experience (for master’s student). You will learn a lot about primatology, parasitology, and population genetics, and it might be your first opportunity to do some travel throughout South America (before or after your research is finished).

Qualifications/Experience: Candidates should have a BS or BA (or be graduating this spring) in Biology, Ecology, Animal Behavior, Parasitology, Veterinarian Medicine, Primatology, Physical Anthropology, or related field. Working in a foreign country with harsh environments, away from home, is a trying but telling experience. It is difficult to tell how you will react to being in such an environment, but those who have had prior experience working for long periods in the field, have extensive camping experience, or foreign travel experience in developing countries tend to be best prepared and most successful. You will face a demanding schedule (working in the field up to 12 hours a day with few days off. It will be hot, humid, mosquitoes will be your best friend, and you will do intense hiking up and down mountains with a pack on your back - all in the name of science. As a requirement, you must have a strong desire to participate in scientific research, to learn about ecology, primatology, parasitology, and animal behavior. You must also have a good sense of humor, love nature, willingness to work hard, an interest in primate conservation, be sociable, and have a desire to learn Spanish as well.

Compensation: Candidates for both projects are required to pay for their own tickets to Ecuador and are responsible for costs associated with in-country travel ($120), housing and food ($30/day), and visa ($300). All other costs associated with additional luxuries and purchases are up to the field assistant. You will be required to get all health insurance and vaccinations before traveling to Ecuador. And you will also be required to bring your own personal field gear and clothes.

Note: Compensation may be feasible for exceptionally qualified individuals. Course credit through the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF) is possible. There is a minimum commitment of 2 months for Summer 2009 and 3 months for Spring 2010. The master’s project will likely require at least 3 months in the field.

Application Deadline: until filled.

Interested individuals should apply directly to Will Helenbrook at wdhelenb@syr.edu. Please include a statement of interest, and a resume or CV. In your email title please list position interested in and name. In your statement of interest, please describe what position you are interested in, what particularly interests you about this project, and what experience do you have that prepares you for tropical research. In your resume/CV please include relevant and non-relevant classes, jobs, volunteer work, interests, extracurricular activities, etc. In other words, tell me everything about yourself; regardless of whether or not it is relevant to the position. After determining your eligibility for the positions, 3 professional references (professors, supervisors, etc) will be requested.

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