SEASONAL FIELD BIOLOGISTS needed from approximately early March to late June 2008 (dates somewhat flexible) to participate in a stress ecophysiology project on the White-eyed Vireo and two federally endangered species, the Black-capped Vireo and Golden-Cheeked Warbler. The research is a collaboration among investigators at Princeton University, Tufts University, and University of Illinois. The Princeton group uses heart rate telemetry to study the metabolic demands of stress induced by human and military activity. The Tufts group studies the hormonal response to short- and long-term exposure to human disturbance. Work takes place at Fort Hood, an 88,000-ha military installation adjacent to the city of Killeen, Texas. Primary tasks of crew members will be to locate adult birds on their territories, map territories, find nests, and assist in targeted mist-netting, transmitter mounting, blood sampling, nest monitoring, behavioral observations, and various other activities related to field experiments on birds. Crew members will be responsible for keeping extensive, detailed field notes. Timely and careful completion of records is an essential component of the work. Pay is approximately $2,100/month and workers must provide their own housing and transportation to work. Applicants must be at least 21 years old by date of hire, have a valid drivers license, and a good driving record. Applicants must have good hearing, be able to see the full spectrum of colors, and be in sufficient physical condition to carry gear long-distances, cross-country, in hot and humid weather. Crews will start work before sunrise, walk many kilometers, and endure harsh field conditions including exposure to intense sun, heat, chiggers, fire ants, cactus, snakes, and abundant poison ivy. Most work will be Monday through Friday, but some weekend work is expected. Strong applicants will (1) have a 4-year degree in a life science, or equivalent experience, (2) have field experience in finding nests, determining color band combinations from a distance, identifying birds by sight and sound, and mist-netting (experience with our study species not especially important), (3) be self-motivated and have the ability to work independently and a willingness to learn new skills, (4) be flexible to daily changes in activities and assignments as experiments progress, (5) have the ability to navigate alone in the field using map, compass, and GPS, (6) have excellent attention to detail. To apply, send cover letter, resume, and email addresses and/or telephone numbers of three references via e-mail with Fort Hood Crew as subject heading to Isabelle Bisson [EMAIL PROTECTED] (preferred method), or to Isabelle Bisson, Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton NJ, 08540 USA.
