Research Coordinator

Research Coordinator for Caño Palma Biological Station, Tortuguero, Costa Rica

The Canadian Organization for Tropical Education and Rainforest Conservation (COTERC) seeks a full-time Research Coordinator to administer and operate the research projects permitted at Caño Palma Biological Station.  Our mission is to provide leadership in education, research, conservation, and the educated use of natural resources in the tropics.The Biological Station is located next to the Caribbean Ocean within the Barra Colorado Wildlife Refuge and north of the Tortuguero National Park; a region renowned for its sea turtles and lowland rainforest with high diversity. The position is full time with a commitment of at least 12 months. This position encourages independent research to be carried out by the Research Coordinator.

Preference will be given to candidates with an excellent work ethic and experience in biological/environmental research projects. A record of excellence in dealing with volunteers, student groups, researchers, difficult work situations and conflict resolution are crucial.  Candidates should be fluent in English and must minimally have an intermediate level of spoken/written Spanish as presentations and meetings are conducted with local authorities in Spanish. An MSc in biology or ecology with experience working in remote tropical ecosystems, conservation, research/monitoring and sustainable development is preferred. The position entails project report writing and permit application paperwork throughout the year. You will also be expected to give logistical support and mentoring to visiting researchers and groups.

We are looking for someone who is open-minded and with a recognizable level of maturity and professionalism with cultural differences, and an ability to relate conservation/scientific concepts to lay people. The candidate will recognize that the ecosystem is hot, humid, and that working conditions can be difficult at times. There must be a willingness to lead and participate in monitoring programs as required.

Caño Palma Biological Station hosts researchers from various international educational institutions, and independent researchers, who may work on independent permitted research projects, some of which are tied to our monitoring and conservation programs. We also host undergraduate classes, student interns, and volunteers, all working on various monitoring and community conservation permitted programs. The successful candidate is foremost expected to work in collaboration and development of wildlife monitoring programs, which includes marine sea turtles, migratory and resident birds, large mammals, and herpetological studies. As well, the research coordinator works in concert with the station manager to ensure the overall quality of experience of user groups and visitors and to ensure compliance with Health and Safety standards. Special attention is to be given to issues of education, community conservation, sustainability, and working with a local village. The research coordinator reports directly to station manager, and coordinates with COTERC, and completes assigned tasks as requested by the Board.

To apply and for further details, please contact Dr. Kymberley A Snarr at conservation@coterc.org   Applications are to include a cover letter, a CV, and three references. You can find more information about COTERC/CPBS on our website: (http://www.coterc.org/) and our facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/COTERC).  Salary is $300.00 per month and includes food and lodging (valued at $150/week). There is a $100 bonus/month if the agreed upon contract is fulfilled. VISA runs are paid for and there is a $1000 flight bonus at the end of the fulfilled contract.