Join the Leatherback Trust in Costa Rica

Each year, The Leatherback Trust selects a team of highly motivated, early-career biologists to conduct our research at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Field biologists work under our Project Coordinator and with our Volunteer Coordinator to collect the crucial data in The Leatherback Trust’s long-term sea turtle monitoring program at Las Baulas National Marine Park by conducting nightly and morning patrols in search of nesting turtles. You will patrol the beach and when you encounter a turtle, you will tag and measure the females, relocate nests that are below the high-tide line or at risk of inundation to a safe place on the beach or in a hatchery. Additionally, you will monitor the nest as it incubates, taking temperatures every other day, excavating them after they hatch, take morphometric data on hatchlings, and interact with volunteers.

Our project relies on citizen scientist volunteers, our collaboration with EarthWatch has predated our status as an organization and is core to our mission and philosophy. It is crucial that you are passionate not just about sea turtles but also about working with these volunteers and sharing your passion for sea turtles with them. In addition, we have other volunteer groups and school groups that come to our project and deserve the same time and respect. Therefore, during your stay at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station, you will assist in leading volunteer activities, educating school groups, and conducting community outreach activities. Finally, there may be graduate research activities going on during your stay. If this occurs during your stay, you will have the opportunity to assist with other ongoing scientific research projects.

Conditions: Applicants must be in good physical shape and comfortable with working long hours at night. Night patrols last 6 hours, over which time field biologists walk distances between 10km and 20km in soft sand. Applicants must also be comfortable working in tropical conditions, with extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

Duration: The position is from October 15th, 2024, until March 15th , 2025. Priority will be given to applicants who are able to stay for the entire project duration, although in rare cases special
circumstances may be accommodated. During this time you will be expected to work 6 days out of every 7, and each month we try to give you 4 consecutive days off from the project (although this can depend on volunteer availability). In addition, we will need two people willing to stay until March 30th to wrap up excavations and nest temperature readings.

Benefits: Although the position is unpaid, The Leatherback Trust covers airfare and transportation costs to and from the project site and provides food and dorm-style accommodation (bunk beds) at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station for the duration of the position.