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 southcott@uchicago.edu by August
1st, 2015.