Agua Salud Internship Position

Background: The Agua Salud Project seeks to understand and quantify the ecological, social, and economic services provided by tropical forests 

in the Panama Canal Watershed. The Panama Canal’s central role in world commerce focuses global attention on ecosystem services provided 

by tropical forests. Carbon storage, clean and plentiful water, and biodiversity conservation for enhanced ecosystem function and ecotourism are 

just a few of the services. Agua Salud is a collaboration between the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, the Panama Canal Authority, 

Panama's Environment Authority and other partners. Several different studies are conducted within Agua Salud Project such as socioeconomic, 

hydrology research, isotopes and geochemistry research as well as nutrient cycle research

Duration: At least 3 months with the possibility of prolongation 

Location: The Agua Salud Project is located on the hills of the rural region of Panama near the village of El Giral, about 50 km (1h car ride) from Panama City.

The intern can live in the STRI houses located in El Giral or in Panama City from where the transportation is usually provided. 

Hours:  This is full-time internship position, working an average of 45 hours per week from Monday to Friday.

Salary:  The intern will be paid the stipend in the amount of $800 a month. 

Job duties:  Presently we are looking for interns to assist in the trees inventory campaign. Some of the main tasks will be to measure the trees’ height, 

diameter at breast height and basal diameter as well as to tag and mark the trees. This is no all-inclusive, and the tasks might vary depending 

on the work schedule and demand.

Qualifications: The intern should have a background in ecology, tropical forestry, environmental sciences or other relevant discipline, good knowledge of 

English and Spanish, aptitude for team work, is self-motivated and capable of working outdoors in all weathers, sometimes in physically

demanding conditions.

Application:  If you are interested please send your resume and motivation letter to following e-mail: yanguasem@si.edu