Job type: Field assistant Duration: 04/27/2015 through late July, 2015 Location: Beaver Island, Michigan Organization: University of Chicago Application Deadline: March 27th, 2015 (open until position is filled) Salary: Room and board are covered, stipend is dependent on experience
Job Description: One field assistant is needed from late April through late July for an exciting project on the behavioral ecology of spotted sandpipers, a polyandrous species of shorebird. The field assistant will work closely with a graduate student to capture and band sandpipers, locate nests, and conduct focal observations. The field site is located on Beaver Island, the largest island in Lake Michigan. There is a small town on the island, but travel to the island is somewhat limited. The assistant will be responsible for transportation to and from Beaver Island (or to and from Chicago). Living facilities on the island are a short walk from the lake and close to town. Room and board will be covered, and depending on the applicant’s previous experience, a stipend may also be included (up to $250/month). This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience in ecological and avian field techniques and tools. Qualifications: The field assistant needs to be comfortable walking several miles a day and working outside for approximately eight hours a day, sometimes in adverse conditions. The assistant is expected to keep organized notes, be a responsible and positive team member, communicate well, and act independently when needed. Prior experience working with birds, mist nets, and a GPS is preferred, but not required. Ideally the field assistant will be available by April 27th, but the start date may be later as it is contingent on the birds’ migration. To Apply: Please email the following to Misha Blizard (blizard [at] uchicago.edu): your cover letter, CV, and the contact information of three references. Applications will be reviewed as soon as they are submitted.
