UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO - RIO PIEDRAS INSTITUTE FOR TROPICAL ECOSYSTEM STUDIES TROPICAL FOREST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES – SEEDLING CENSUS January 20 through May 22, 2015 Complete applications must be submitted by November 10, 2014
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION: The Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies (ITES) of the University of Puerto Rico will carry out a seedling census in the 16-ha Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP), and in nearby 1-ha chrono-sequence stands of variable age, located in El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico. The LFDP is a member of the Center for Tropical Forest Science network. For this project we are seeking six (6) volunteer interns to help identify and measure seedlings in marked plots in the LFDP and the chrono-sequence stands. Following training in census protocol and database management, the volunteers will work in the forest in teams, spending long hours in the field (8 am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free), often in wet and muddy conditions and on challenging topography. Volunteers will enter all collected data, using database software. While in Puerto Rico volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of tropical ecology from scientists involved in the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program. PERIOD: January 20 through May 22, 2015. STIPEND: $600 per month to cover food and general living expenses. ACCOMMODATION: Free accommodation at El Verde Field Station in Puerto Rico. Housing is communal using shared resources. The field station is relatively isolated and transportation is available on a limited basis. TRAVEL: Refund of up to $750 towards a round-trip plane ticket from mainland USA, if not already living in Puerto Rico. NOTE: We are unable to provide any medical insurance. Requirements: College graduates with background in biology, ecology, or environmental science, preferably with field-work experience, knowledge of plant identification, and excellent organizational skills. Tropical experience useful, but is not required. We are currently only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities. Application procedure: Interested applicants must fill out the online Application Form (if the link to the left does not work see http://sites.google.com/a/ites.upr.edu/el-verde-field-station/internships/luquillo-forest-dynamics-plot-internship-opportunities/lfdp-internship-application). The following additional materials must also be submitted via email to the LFDP Research Manager (Seth Rifkin) at [email protected] by November 10: 1) A letter of interest indicating why you wish to work in a tropical forest and describing your relevant experience. Include a statement that you understand your application is for a volunteer position; 2) Full resume; 3) University transcripts (scanned unofficial transcripts are fine); All email attachments must include the name of the applicant as part of the file name. Please email further inquiries to [email protected]. Following phone interviews, we will inform successful applicants in early December, 2014. For more information, please see http://luq.lternet.edu/, http://www.ites.upr.edu/, and http://luq.lternet.edu/research/projects/forest_dynamics_description.html.
