Research Coordinator 2015/16 - September Start - Apply Now!
The Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC) seeks a full-time Research Coordinator to administer and operate the research projects at Caño Palma Biological Station. Our mission is to provide leadership in education, research, conservation, and the educated use of natural resources in the tropics.The Biological Station is located next to the Caribbean Sea within the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and north of Tortuguero National Park; a region renowned for its sea turtles and lowland rainforest with high diversity. The position is full time, starting mid-September, with a commitment of at least 12 months. This position encourages independent research to be carried out by the Research Coordinator.Preference will be given to candidates with an excellent work ethic and experience in biological/environmental research projects. A record of excellence in dealing with volunteers, student groups, researchers, difficult work situations and conflict resolution is crucial. Candidates should be fluent in English and have a high level of spoken/written Spanish as presentations, meetings and reports/permit applications to local authorities must in Spanish. An MSc in biology or ecology with experience working in remote tropical ecosystems, conservation, research/monitoring and sustainable development is preferred. The position entails project report writing and permit application paperwork throughout the year. You will also be expected to give logistical support and mentoring to visiting researchers and groups, including providing international undergraduates with appropriate research ideas across a variety of taxa, and guiding them in the formation and execution of research.
We are looking for someone who is open-minded and with a recognizable level of maturity and professionalism when presented with cultural differences, and an ability to relate conservation/scientific concepts to lay people. Applicants must be willing and able to work under hot and humid conditions in a remote area. To varying degrees, depending on the number of interns and volunteers at the station, the research coordinator will lead and participate in monitoring programs including several long-term projects run by the station.
Caño Palma Biological Station hosts researchers as individuals and groups from various international educational institutions who work on independent permitted research projects, some of which are tied to our monitoring and conservation programs. We also host undergraduate classes, student interns, and volunteers, all working on various monitoring and community conservation programs.
The successful candidate is foremost expected to work in collaboration and development of wildlife monitoring programs, which includes marine sea turtles, migratory and resident birds, large mammals, and herpetological studies. As well, the research coordinator works in concert with the station manager to ensure the overall quality of experience of user groups and visitors and to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards. Special attention is to be given to issues of education, community conservation, sustainability, and working with a local village. The research coordinator reports directly to station manager, coordinates with COTERC, and completes assigned tasks as requested by the Board.
To apply and for further details, please contact Director of Research, Nathan Lovejoy, at researchconservation@coterc.org Applications are to include a cover letter, CV, and three references. You can find more information about COTERC/CPBS on our website: (http://www.coterc.org/) and our Facebook page, (http://www.facebook.com/COTERC). Salary is $600.00 per month plus food and lodging (valued at $150/week). There is a $200 VISA renewal stipend, to cover costs of 3-monthly trips across the border, and a $1000 flight bonus at the end of the fulfilled contract.