Field Assistant Needed: Canopy Herpetofauna and Arthropod Surveys in Amazonian Ecuador Research Investigator: Shawn F. McCracken, PhD. Candidate, Texas State University
Position Description: Motivated, reliable, and durable field assistant to work on a field study of the herpetofauna and arthropod communities of canopy phytotelmata (tank-bromeliads) in primary rainforest at the Yasuni Research Station (YRS), and along the Via Auca in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Assistants will contribute to a project focusing on amphibian and arthropod diversity and density in a large canopy tank-bromeliad, Aechmea zebrina, occupying different forest types and management regimes. Assistants will be responsible for independent scouting surveys to identify potential survey trees, providing ground support during sampling, collecting/recording data during sampling, transporting heavy gear and sampled bromeliads long distances in difficult terrain, following protocol to collect data for each bromeliad, dismantling bromeliads in a screen tent and collecting all herpetofauna and arthropods, recording specimen data, collecting blood or tissue samples, preserving specimens, sorting arthropods, and data entry. Other responsibilities may include tree and trail mapping, Visual Encounter Surveys (VES), and opportunistic sampling. Assistants are not allowed to collect data for personal research projects or publication. However, assistants are encouraged to contribute as coauthors on papers for which they collected and analyzed data. Assistants performing well in their position will be given strong letters of recommendation and potential future positions working with the TADPOLE Organization. Qualifications/Experience: Applicants should minimally have significant progress towards a BS/BA (or higher degree) in Biology, Ecology, or a related field. Previous experience with amphibians, reptiles, or arthropods is not necessary but a strong interest in these animals and the mental tenacity to handle them is required. Previous experience and comfort with living and working outdoors is strongly preferred. The ideal applicant should have prior experience with living or working in a foreign country, preferably a developing country in the tropics. Knowledge of English is required and Spanish is helpful, but not necessary, a willingness to learn will benefit greatly. Experience with collecting systematic data in a scientific context is preferred, the commitment to learn is a must. Tree climbing experience using Single-Rope Technique (SRT) is highly preferred; those interested in learning this skill if accepted should look online for training opportunities. In general, applicants must be in good physical and mental condition; feel comfortable being far away from family and friends; be emotionally mature, energetic, respectful of others, and very patient; have an excellent eye for detail; experience with bugs, snakes, frogs, heights, and being alone in the forest (day or night); have very good social skills, especially in small groups; and be able to maintain a positive and humorous attitude towards challenging and tiring work. Additional Beneficial Skills: Use of Digital SLR Camera, Use of GPS equipment, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word ArcGIS software, Raven audio analysis, Weather instrumentation, Navigation, Generally comfortable with technology This work will be rigorous and demanding. Assistants will be expected to work about 8-12 hours in the field each day, about 25 days out of each month. The terrain in the research site is quite hilly in places, seasonally floods in others, and the climate is often hot, humid, and rainy this is a rainforest just south of the Equator in which close to four meters of rain falls a year thus persistence, maturity, dedication, and good humor are very important. Preference will be given to applicants with previous outdoor experience in demanding environments. Cost/funding: This is a volunteer position, applicants will pay approximately US$ 30-35/day for station fees (includes on-site lodging and three meals daily). Assistants are also responsible for the costs of health insurance and immunizations that permit that work. Proof of suitable insurance and yellow fever immunization is a must; vaccinations against typhoid, rabies, hepatitis, etc. are all also recommended but not required; oral prophylactic for malaria strongly recommended (see the Center for Disease Control website for Ecuador, http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinationEcuador.aspx). Applicants must also pay their own round-trip airfare to Ecuador (cost varies) and for travel within Ecuador to and from the research station (~US$120 by plane or US$10 by bus). Assistants are responsible for their own field clothes, gear, and personal items. Term of Appointment: ASAP till the end of October, with a minimum one month commitment. Prefer at least two months commitment. Application Deadline: Applications are being reviewed now. Additional Information: Serious applicants please first email Shawn McCracken ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) to receive a project guide and a typical weeks work schedule. If still interested after reading the guide, please submit via email to Shawn McCracken ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) the following: 1. CV including relevant coursework, previous field/outdoor experience, and where/how you can be contacted. 2. Letter of interest (please include dates you are available). 3. References from persons (preferably professors or research supervisors with whom youve worked closely) in which they provide information about your experiences, skills, and training. For more information about the research stations, researcher, previous work in the area, and the region in general please see the following websites: http://tiputini.usfq.edu.ec/ http://www.biologia.puce.edu.ec/natura.php?c=226&inPMAIN=2#2681 http://uweb.txstate.edu/~sm1216/ http://www.txstate.edu/rising-stars/shawn-mccracken.html http://www.tadpoleorg.org/ http://www.unesco.org/mabdb/br/brdir/directory/biores.asp?code=ECU+02&mode=all
