We are looking for 2 volunteer field assistants for an ongoing behavioural study of lance-tailed manakins (Chiroxiphia lanceolata) in Panama.
These positions are designed to maximize training opportunities for post-graduate students who are seeking experience in basic science research as they consider applying to graduate school.
Research background:
Females of this small; lekking bird “shop” among males that display in cooperative pairs on dispersed display areas. Successful applicants will be involved in work investigating how strong sexual selection is changing this wild population over time; how male experience affects display performance and cooperative behaviour; why dominant males tolerate subordinate cooperators; and how indirect genetic benefits affect female mate choice and maternal investment.
Responsibilities and qualifications:
All field crew members will take part in resighting colour-banded birds; conducting many hour-long behavioural observations at display sites; daily maintenance of a video detection system; nest-searching through dense secondary-growth dry tropical forest; and mist netting birds for banding and blood sampling; as well as data entry and organizational tasks. Experience in one or more of these areas is strongly preferred. Applicants should have a very strong interest in animal behaviour; birds; and field biology. The full field crew is a 4-5 person team of researchers who will live and work on a remote island off of Panama’s Pacific coast and share housing with close quarters. The site provides internet access and cell phone reception; but unpredictable power outages can happen. In addition to the usual need for experience working in isolated field settings and/or shared living situations with little privacy; applicants should be level-headed; resilient; and responsible to work safely and thrive during their time with this project.
To apply complete please complete the google form. You will be asked to upload your CV; and provide contact information for 3 references; as well as answering a series of prompts comparable to a cover letter summarizing your experiences and interest in the job. Panamanian citizens are encouraged to apply; and assistants not requiring airfare to reach the Republic of Panama would receive a modestly increased personal honorarium. Review of applications will continue until positions are filled. If you encounter problems with the form; you may email application materials to Juan P. Rios (jr24e@fsu.edu) with the subject line “Lance-tailed Manakin Field Crew Application”.
None
25 February to 15 June 2025
4 months
Adults of both sexes 18+
Applicants should be enthusiastic, physically fit, and emotionally grounded. Expect to work long days (six days a week), be woken at 4 am by howler monkeys on a regular basis, and see some amazing bird behaviour. A sense of humour, ability to work independently, and willingness to accommodate unpredictable changes is especially important. Conversational Spanish ability is strongly preferred for this position. Assistants are also required to complete online animal care and use training shortly after being hired. To maximize transparency and communication among field crew members, all research participants will review and agree to a written statement of values and norms associated with fieldwork on this project.
Field assistants receive free accommodation, food and in-country transportation. They also receive a US$1500 honorarium upon completion of the field season to help defray costs of health insurance and personal purchases, and will have their round-trip airfare reimbursed (up to US$750).
Isla Boca Brava, Chiriqui
