Seasonal Avian Field Techs (4) Tiputini Biodiversity Station Ecuador

Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Virginia Tech are seeking four seasonal field techs to work on an NSF funded project investigating the proximate links between hormones, neuroendocrine gene expression, behavior, and social network structure in a cooperative lek-breeding bird, the wire-tailed manakin (Pipra filicauda).

The project will run from mid-November to mid-March and technicians will be expected to make a minimum three-month time commitment. Start and end dates are flexible. Fieldwork will be conducted at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Ecuadorian Amazon. This field site is a 650-hectare tract of pristine lowland rainforest adjacent to Yasuni National Park, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.

Qualified applicants must have extensive field experience, preferably studying tropical birds. Technical field skills should include mist-netting, banding, blood-sampling and color-band re-sighting. Experience with telemetry is considered a plus. All competitive applicants will also have meticulous data collection skills, good inter-personal skills, and the ability to work independently. The field site is extremely remote and technicians will be expected to work long-hours in hot, humid, buggy, and often rainy conditions. Candidates must be in excellent physical shape with the ability to carry 50+ pounds and walk long distances on muddy trails.

The fieldwork will be physically and mentally demanding.

Four positions are currently available and we encourage the application of Latin American students seeking field experience. Applicants do not necessarily need to speak Spanish but some experience is desirable. All travel expenses will be paid (international airfare, food and lodging) and a small stipend for Latin American students will be available commensurate with experience.

To apply please send a single PDF document that includes a cover letter, CV/Resume and contacts for at least three professional references.

Please include an estimated number of birds banded and bled in your application.

Submit materials to Dr. Brandt Ryder via email (pipra.filicauda@gmail.com) by August 30th 2016 with the subject line heading of “MANAKIN FIELD TECH”.

Hiring will begin immediately.