TROPICAL FOREST RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES

University of Puerto Rico - Rio Piedras
Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies

September 12th through December 16th, 2011
Complete applications must be submitted by August 2nd, 2011

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION: The Institute for Tropical Ecosystem Studies (ITES) of
the University of Puerto Rico is conducting a tree census in the 16-ha
Luquillo Forest Dynamics Plot (LFDP), in Puerto Rico's El Yunque National
Forest. The LFDP is a member of the Center for Tropical Forest Science
network. To complete the census we are taking on volunteer interns in three
phases over the course of several months. For this second phase of the
project, we seek the help of ten volunteers. After training in census
protocol and database management, volunteers will work in the forest
identifying, measuring, and mapping trees in marked grids. Data will then
be entered using database software. Volunteers work together in teams of
three under the supervision of a field technician, spending long hours in
the field (8am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free), often in wet
and muddy conditions. While in Puerto Rico volunteers will have the
opportunity to learn about diverse aspects of tropical ecology from
scientists involved in the Luquillo Long-Term Ecological Research Program.

PERIOD: Minimum commitment from September 12th through December 16th, 2011,
with the opportunity to stay and continue for additional phases of the census.

STIPEND: $600 per month to cover food and general living expenses.

ACCOMMODATION: Free accommodation at El Verde Field Station in Puerto Rico.
Housing is communal using shared resources. The field station is
relatively isolated and transportation is available on a limited basis.

TRAVEL: Refund of up to $750 towards a round-trip plane ticket from mainland
USA, if not already living in Puerto Rico.

NOTE: We are unable to provide any medical insurance.

REQUIREMENTS: College graduates with background in biology, ecology, or
environmental science, preferably with field-work experience, knowledge of
plant identification, and excellent organizational skills and attention to
detail. Tropical experience useful, but is not required. We are currently
only considering US citizens and permanent US residents for these opportunities.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Interested applicants must fill out the online LFDP
Application Form:
http://sites.google.com/a/ites.upr.edu/el-verde-field-station/internships/luquillo-forest-dynamics-plot-internship-opportunities/lfdp-internship-application

The following additional materials must also be submitted via email to
chris.nytch@ites.upr.edu by August 2nd:

1) A letter of interest indicating why you wish to work in the tropical
forest and describing your relevant experience. Include a statement that
you understand your application is for a volunteer position;

2) Full resume;

3) University transcripts (scanned unofficial transcripts are fine).

All email attachments must include the name of the applicant as part of the
file name.

Please email further inquiries to Christopher Nytch at chris.nytch@ites.upr.edu.

Following phone interviews, we will inform successful applicants in
mid-August, 2011.

For more information, please see
http://luq.lternet.edu/research/projects/forest_dynamics_description.html,
https://sites.google.com/a/ites.upr.edu/el-verde-field-station/Home,
http://luq.lternet.edu/, and http://www.ites.upr.edu/