Field assistant – Amphibian Ecology in Thailand
Position: Full time, seasonal field assistants
Duration: Roughly July 1st – Oct 31st, 2013 (exact dates to be determined)
Location: Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Northern Thailand
Application deadline: March 1st, or until filled
Job Description:
3-4 field assistant positions are available as a part of behavioral and reproductive ecology research on amphibians in the tropical evergreen forests in Thailand. The project focuses on the parental care behavior of treefrogs and interactions between various pond-breeding species.
Assistants will be based at the Sakaerat Station for the duration of the field season, which is located within the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve. Access to society outside of the field station will be minimal, though there will be weekly grocery trips into a small town nearby and occasional trips to Korat city. The station will have electricity, running water (usually cold water only), and satellite internet access depending on the weather. Meals will be cooked in turns by the researchers and field assistants. During the season, days-off will be very limited and field assistants must be flexible with schedules as the nature of the work depends on the animals.
This is a good opportunity for someone looking to get experience in field work and exploring Southeast Asia, with the chance to make connections with local and foreign research groups in tropical ecology and herpetology. The position is best suited for college graduates who have had considerable field experience and are considering advanced study or professional work in ecological studies.
Qualifications:
Good physical condition and able to work long hours in hot and humid weather with biting insects; ability to work late nights and earlier mornings, to sleeping at odd and sometimes fragmented hours, to nap during the day, and to switch sleep schedules easily; ability to work and live cooperatively with others; willingness and flexibility to work for consecutive days with little time or days-off in between and limited access outside the field station; desire to live in a foreign country under different customs for extended periods. Previous experience in field work required. In addition, experience living at isolate field sites, living abroad, and ability to drive manual cars is preferred.
Compensation:
Room and board and local transportation within Thailand will be provided.
(Field assistants are responsible for all other expenses, including flights to/from Thailand, vaccinations, travel/medical insurance, and visa costs.)
Contact Information:
To Apply:
Please submit a cover letter briefly detailing relevant interest and experience, CV, unofficial transcript, and a list of 3 references to sheilapoo@gmail.com. Please write explicitly to confirm ability to cover own expenses to/from Bangkok and availability from July 1st to Oct 31st. Hiring will begin immediately and positions will remain open until filled.(For more information, see https://sites.google.com/site/sheilapoo/)
Thank you!
Sheila (Sinlan Poo)
The Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Lab
Department of Biological Sciences
National University of Singapore
14 Science Drive 4, Block S3
Singapore 117543
sheilapoo@gmail.com