Field assistant: butterfly behaviour, Gamboa, Panama Salary: $800/month
Dates: October 1st, 2015 - March 31st, 2016, with possibility of extension Description: We are seeking a field assistant for a research project on Heliconius butterfly behaviour and genetics at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in Gamboa, Panama. Primary duties will be day-to-day maintenance of captive butterfly populations (including feeding butterflies and caterpillars, managing host plants, and assisting with insectary maintenance) and assistance with behavioural experiments on butterflies. Work will take place weekdays (up to 8 hours/day) and two weekends per month, with additional time off by arrangement with the supervisor. The field assistant will live in STRI housing in Gamboa, Panama, which is about 1 hour from Panama City. Rent, generally $220-240/month in Gamboa, is not provided. Note that STRI requires that all researchers have health coverage, and this is not provided but can be purchased through STRI relatively cheaply. Financial assistance with transportation to Gamboa may be available to those with financial need. Applicants should have training in biology or a related field, and/or have experience working in a field research setting. The ability to work independently and in a somewhat remote environment is crucial. Fluency in Spanish, experience working with butterflies or doing behavioural research, and experience living in tropical environments would be assets for this position, but are not required. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, CV/resume, and contact information for up to three references to [email protected] by August 1st, 2015.
