Internship Opportunity

University of Puerto Rico- Río Piedras

Tropical Forest Research Experience for College Graduates

Complete applications must be submitted by April 1st, 2019

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION: The University of Puerto Rico will carry out summer field work in El Verde Field Station in El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico. Interns will work on two different projects, Seedling Drought Experiment (duties include: transporting seedlings to field sites, censuring seedlings, building rain-out shelters, measuring soil moisture and data entry) and the Stream Free Project (duties include: monthly sampling of different aspects of the stream food chain, sorting leaf litter, general lab duties and some manual labor). Following training in census protocol and database management, the volunteers will work in the forest in teams or individually, spending long hours in the field (8 am until 4 pm, Monday-Friday, with weekends free), often in wet and muddy conditions and on challenging topography. 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: May 28- through September 5, 2019

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, environmental science, or related field, preferably with field-work experience, knowledge of plant identification, and excellent organizational skills. 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 Application Form (https://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 the LFDP Research Manager,

 Jamarys Torres-Díaz, at lfdp@ites.upr.edu by April 1st:

1) A letter of interest indicating why you wish to work in a 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 include “Summer Field Work at El Verde” as part of your subject line, as we may be hiring for multiple positions. 

Please email further inquiries to lfdp@ites.upr.edu. Following phone interviews, we will inform successful applicants in April, 2019. 

For more information, please see http://luq.lternet.edu/