Callout for Biologists – Leatherback https://leatherback.org Fri, 17 Jan 2025 20:20:23 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://leatherback.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/favicon-150x150.png Callout for Biologists – Leatherback https://leatherback.org 32 32 Join the Leatherback Trust in Costa Rica https://leatherback.org/callout-for-biologists/ Fri, 03 May 2024 16:21:00 +0000 https://leatherback.org/?p=334

Call out for Biologists

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.
]]> Join The Leatherback Trust as a Field Biologist https://leatherback.org/join-the-leatherback-trust/ Tue, 24 May 2022 20:07:00 +0000 https://leatherback.org/?p=1474 Read More]]>

Join The Leatherback Trust as a field biologist in Costa Rica (2023-2024 field season)

Each year, The Leatherback Trust selects a team of highly motivated, early-career biologists to assist our researchers at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Field biologists participate 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. Field biologists assist with tagging and measuring nesting turtles. When turtles nest below the high-tide line, field biologists relocate eggs from nests at risk of inundation to a beach hatchery. Other responsibilities include monitoring nests in the hatchery, excavating hatched nests, and recording temperature data from incubating nests.

Field biologists also engage with visitors to the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station, leading volunteer activities, educating school groups and conducting community outreach. There is also the potential for field biologists 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 generally last up to 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 15, 2023, until March 15, 2024. Final project dates are subject to change depending on the status of the Covid – 19 pandemic and the leatherback nesting activity. 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.

Benefits: Although the position is unpaid in cash, 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. In addition, field biologists who excel in their positions are eligible for one of three fellowships ($1000 each) named in honor of members of The Leatherback Trust Board who have made important contributions to sea turtle conservation. Please note that The Leatherback Trust maintains strict protection protocols against Covid – 19.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 21 years of age and hold a Bachelor’s degree in biology (science background is a plus) or equivalent. Fluency in Spanish is considered a plus. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to living in close proximity with their team mates. An active driver’s license is encouraged, but not compulsory. Further, successful applicants must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-COV-2 virus at least three weeks before the start of the project.  

Application Details: If you are interested in applying for a Field Biologist position with The Leatherback Trust, please send a statement of interest, a confirmation of your availability for the October-March duration, a copy of your resume or CV and contact details for two references. All application materials should be sent to apply@leatherback.orgwith the indication “Field Biologist Position” on the subject line no later than June 20th, 2023. All applicants will have been notified of decisions by September 1st, 2023. 

Photo credit: Kortney Stevens, Frank Paladino

Photo credit: Kortney Stevens, Frank Paladino

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

Duration: The position is from October 1st, 2021, until March 1st, 2022. Final project dates are subject to change depending on the status of the Covid – 19 pandemic. 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.

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. Please note that The Leatherback Trust maintains strict protection protocols against Covid – 19.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 21 years of age and hold a Bachelor’s degree in biology (science background is a plus) or equivalent. Fluency in Spanish is considered a plus. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to living in close proximity with their team mates. An active driver’s license is encouraged, but not compulsory. Further, successful applicants must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-COV-2 virus at least three weeks before the start of the project.  

Application Details: If you are interested in applying for a Field Biologist position with The Leatherback Trust, please send a statement of interest, a confirmation of your availability for the October-March duration, a copy of your resume or CV and contact details for two references. All application materials should be sent to apply@leatherback.org with the indication “Field Biologist Position” on the subject line no later than June 20th, 2021. We will notify all applicants of decisions by September 1st, 2021.

Photo credit: Adam Yaney-Keller, Abby Parker, Aliki Panagopoulou, George Shillinger
]]> Call for Field Biologists https://leatherback.org/call-for-field-biologists/ Tue, 18 May 2021 12:08:00 +0000 https://leatherback.org/?p=1550 Read More]]>

Call for field biologists (2021-22 season)

Each year, The Leatherback Trust selects a team of highly motivated, early-career biologists to assist our researchers at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Field biologists participate in The Leatherback Trust’s long-term sea turtle monitoring program at Las Baulas National Marine Park by conducting nightly patrols in search of nesting turtles. Field biologists assist with tagging and measuring nesting turtles. When turtles nest below the high-tide line, field biologists relocate eggs from nests at risk of inundation to a beach hatchery. Other responsibilities include monitoring nests in the hatchery, excavating hatched nests, and recording temperature data from incubating nests.

Field biologists also engage with visitors to the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station, leading volunteer activities, educating school groups and conducting community outreach. There is also the potential for field biologists 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 generally last up to 6 hours, over which time field biologists walk distances exceeding 10 km in soft sand. Applicants must also be comfortable working in tropical conditions, with extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

Duration: The position is from October 1st, 2021, until March 1st, 2022. Final project dates are subject to change depending on the status of the Covid – 19 pandemic. 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.

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. Please note that The Leatherback Trust maintains strict protection protocols against Covid – 19.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 21 years of age and hold a Bachelor’s degree in biology (science background is a plus) or equivalent. Fluency in Spanish is considered a plus. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to living in close proximity with their team mates. An active driver’s license is encouraged, but not compulsory. Further, successful applicants must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-COV-2 virus at least three weeks before the start of the project.  

Application Details: If you are interested in applying for a Field Biologist position with The Leatherback Trust, please send a statement of interest, a confirmation of your availability for the October-March duration, a copy of your resume or CV and contact details for two references. All application materials should be sent to apply@leatherback.org with the indication “Field Biologist Position” on the subject line no later than June 20th, 2021. We will notify all applicants of decisions by September 1st, 2021.

Photo credit: Adam Yaney-Keller, Abby Parker, Aliki Panagopoulou, George Shillinger
]]> Call for Volunteers: Cabuyal Beach https://leatherback.org/call-for-volunteers-cabuyal-beach/ Tue, 21 May 2019 12:23:00 +0000 https://leatherback.org/?p=1572 Read More]]>

Call for volunteers: Cabuyal beach (2019-2020 field season)

Each year, many dedicated volunteers join our researchers at Cabuyal beach, Costa Rica to assist with the monitoring and protection of endangered sea turtles. Cabuyal, a beautiful secluded beach close to Liberia, is home to three species of sea turtles (greens, leatherbacks and olive ridleys). It is situated south to Santa Rosa National Park, and is surrounded by tropical dry forest and mangroves. The Leatherback Trust started a long-term sea turtle monitoring and protection program here in 2011 under the supervision of our Science Director, Dr. Pilar Santidrián Tomillo.

Volunteers working at Cabuyal conduct nightly patrols in search of nesting turtles. They assist with data collection and measuring nesting turtles. When turtles nest below the high-tide line, volunteers help relocating eggs from nests at risk of inundation to a safer location on the beach. Other responsibilities include monitoring of nests, excavating hatched nests, and recording temperature data from incubating nests. There is also the potential for volunteers 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 generally last up to 6 hours, over which time field biologists walk distances exceeding 10 km in soft sand. Applicants must also be comfortable working in tropical conditions, with extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

Duration: The position is from October 1st, 2021, until March 1st, 2022. Final project dates are subject to change depending on the status of the Covid – 19 pandemic. 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.

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. Please note that The Leatherback Trust maintains strict protection protocols against Covid – 19.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 21 years of age and hold a Bachelor’s degree in biology (science background is a plus) or equivalent. Fluency in Spanish is considered a plus. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to living in close proximity with their team mates. An active driver’s license is encouraged, but not compulsory. Further, successful applicants must be fully vaccinated against the SARS-COV-2 virus at least three weeks before the start of the project.  

Application Details: If you are interested in applying for a Field Biologist position with The Leatherback Trust, please send a statement of interest, a confirmation of your availability for the October-March duration, a copy of your resume or CV and contact details for two references. All application materials should be sent to apply@leatherback.org with the indication “Field Biologist Position” on the subject line no later than June 20th, 2021. We will notify all applicants of decisions by September 1st, 2021.

Sea turtle leaving towards the ocean after nesting in Playa Cabuyal.

Conditions: Volunteers must be in good physical shape and comfortable with working long hours at night. Night patrols generally last between 4 and 8 hours, over which time volunteers may walk distances exceeding 10 km. Volunteers must also be prepared to work in tropical conditions, with extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes. We provide dorm-style accommodation (bunk beds) at our field station, located at a relatively isolated location approximately 20 minutes’ walk away from the beach. The station has basic but adequate cooking and sanitary facilities: there is no electricity or internet, but we have running potable water, and a functional kitchen equipped with gas stoves and iceboxes. There is also a small solar panel that allows charging of small devices.

Duration: The project runs from September 15th, 2019, until March 30th, 2020. Volunteers can join the project at any time during this period.

Participation fees: Volunteers pay a daily fee of $17.00 (note: $8 for Costa Rican residents) for the duration of their participation. The fee goes towards covering food costs, logistics, research permits and administration costs, and cannot be waived under any circumstances.

Requirements: Volunteers should be at least 18 years of age and must carry a personal health insurance policy for the duration of their stay with the project. Minimum participation duration is 7 days, but it is highly recommended that volunteers stay with the project for a longer term, e.g. at least two or three weeks. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to sharing in a communal life and living in close proximity with their team mates.

Application Details: For more information or to apply to be a volunteer for us at Cabuyal, please contact Dr. Santidrián Tomillo at volunteers@leatherback.org. Volunteer positions are filled on a first come first served basis, however there is a preference for those wishing to stay for longer periods of time. Please note that there is a greater need for volunteers at the start (September-November) and end (February-March) of the Project.

]]> Call for Field Biologists https://leatherback.org/call-for-field-biologists-2/ Tue, 02 Apr 2019 11:47:00 +0000 https://leatherback.org/?p=1835 Read More]]>

Join The Leatherback Trust as a field biologist in Costa Rica (2019-2020 field season)

Each year, The Leatherback Trust selects a team of highly motivated, early-career biologists to assist our researchers at the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station in Playa Grande, Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Field biologists participate in The Leatherback Trust’s long-term sea turtle monitoring program at Las Baulas National Marine Park by conducting nightly patrols in search of nesting turtles. Field biologists assist with tagging and measuring nesting turtles. When turtles nest below the high-tide line, field biologists relocate eggs from nests at risk of inundation to a beach hatchery. Other responsibilities include monitoring nests in the hatchery, excavating hatched nests, and recording temperature data from incubating nests.

Field biologists also engage with visitors to the Goldring-Gund Marine Biology Station, leading volunteer activities, educating school groups and conducting community outreach. There is also the potential for field biologists 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 generally last up to 6 hours, over which time field biologists walk distances exceeding 10 km in soft sand. Applicants must also be comfortable working in tropical conditions, with extreme heat, humidity and mosquitoes.

Duration: The position is from October 1st, 2019, until March 20th, 2020. Priority will be given to applicants who are able to stay for the entire 6-month duration, although in rare cases special circumstances may be accommodated.

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.

Qualifications: Applicants should be at least 21 years of age and hold a Bachelor’s degree in biology (science background is a plus) or equivalent. Fluency in Spanish is considered a plus. Applicants must be able to work under demanding conditions, work as part of a group and have strong inter-personal skills related to living in close proximity with their team mates.

Application Details: If you are interested in applying for a Field Biologist position with The Leatherback Trust, please send a statement of interest, a confirmation of your availability for the October-March duration, a copy of your resume or CV and contact details for two references. All application materials should be sent to apply@leatherback.org with the indication “Field Biologist Position” on the subject line no later than June 15, 2019. We will notify all applicants of decisions by August 2019.

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