Technical-scientific assistant in Chilean Patagonia

We are a private Foundation that is operating a scientific field station in Chilean Patagonia. Huinay Scientific Field Station was inaugurated in 2001 and is situated 100 km south of Puerto Montt, in the fjord Comau; it is the only scientific station in a Chilean fjord. The surroundings are characterized by steep mountains and volcanoes. Nearly 6000mm annual precipitation gives rise to extremely lush vegetation characterized by extra-tropical rain forests.

The small village Huinay with its approx. 25 inhabitants can only be accessed by a 1-1.5 hour boat-trip (speed boat) from Hornopiren. Most infrastructure - except some small shops and a rural hospital in Hornopiren - is located in Puerto Montt, a 3 to 4 h drive or bus trip from Hornopiren.

Knowledge on organisms and ecological functioning of the fjord ecosystems is very poor in Chilean Patagonia especially in the marine environment. The goal of the station is-besides carrying out some own projects- to attract national and international projects which help to fill the existing gaps.

To accomplish this, the field station has basic infrastructure: a dry and a wet laboratory, diving and lodging facilities (8 rooms for up to 16 scientists/interns/assistants).

  Projects involve all kinds of terrestrial and marine base-line research but main focus is on the marine environment and counseling for the establishment of a network of marine protected areas. In this context we are mainly promoting inventory studies of the fjord ecosystems and we generally organize one expedition to remote areas of the fjord region each year.

In 2010 we finished a major project, a scientific field guide for marine benthic fauna of Chilean Patagonia (see www.PatagoniaMarina.info).

We have telephone and internet access via satellite (rarely good enough for voice or video skype) and power supply by a hydroelectric plant. The assistants are supervised and report to two biologists in charge of the scientific operation who are approximately a third of the time on the station, but can be contacted practically at any time. Besides these two scientists (the scientific director and a research coordinator) the permanent staff consists of the two scientific-technical assistants, one GIS/data base assistant, an administrator, his wife (and assistant), a replacement of the administrator, two boat captains, 1-2 persons in charge for cooking and cleaning, and approx. 3 auxiliary administrative workers. We try to have 1-2 interns at any time at the station who help the scientific-technical assistants. Scientists can visit throughout the year, but mostly come between December and April (in the last years we had approx. 15 groups with a total of 40-50 scientists yearly)

We are looking for one technical-scientific assistant for approx. two years (can be longer, too), beginning May 2015. We are ideally looking for technicians with biological knowledge and interest with the following abilities.

Key abilities:

-          fluent English

-          profound diving skills (>200 dives) and experience with cold-water (dry suit) diving and diving under difficult conditions, ideally at least dive master or equivalent

-          good Spanish knowledge (at least good conversation level for phone calls and email conversation)

We cannot consider any candidates without these key abilities!

In addition he/she should:

-          be an open, communicative, easy-going and nature-loving person who has no problems or rather enjoys to live in an isolated and rainy place and be able to adapt to new situations

-          be self motivating and able to deal with difficulties of living in a small remote place with few people

-          be an organized and multi-tasking-able person (it is necessary to simultaneously keep track of a lot of different tasks, of sampled specimens, the small library etc.)

-          have a friendly but convincing way and be able to represent authority e.g. to enforce our rules towards scientific visitors, hold up in discussions against fishermen etc. (some intercultural experience and being above a certain age generally makes this easier)

-          have technical understanding and basic skills to take care of laboratory (microscope, binoculars, aquaria,..) and diving equipment (compressor, tanks, regulators,..)*

-          have a general scientific, biological (taxonomical) and ecological interest and understanding (ideally knowledge of or interest in invertebrates and their sampling and preservation). But please keep in mind: This is not a research position!

-          be flexible, patient and should be able to improvise (experience in developing countries or better in South America is of advantage)

-          have basic computer skills (Windows XP/7, MSOffice, Internet). System administrative skills are of big advantage.

-          Have a car driving license. Ideally have experience in driving small motor boats; A Chilean boat license officially is necessary for this but can also be made in Chile.

The assistants are in charge of and keep track of the day to day scientific activity at this field station and represent the scientific staff towards visiting scientists, tourists who come by etc. during the absence of the staff biologists. They are in charge of database work, keep track on ongoing projects, train and supervise interns etc. They can and should work quite independent, but follow the guidelines given by the scientific director/managing scientist and ask for feed-back when major decisions have to be taken.

The work includes:

-          assisting the scientific director/managing scientist in miscellaneous tasks whenever required but also be able to “see” and resolve problems and work independently.

-          supervising interns/trainee students

-          taking care of laboratory and diving equipment (daily care and evening check when visitors are present, general maintenance, minor and simple repairs)

-          being the main contact person for visiting scientists (e.g. answering general questions by e-mail ahead of the visits, requesting and administrating required forms; explaining logistics and infrastructure at the station, explaining lab rules; organizing the boat trips for scientists and helping that lab work and daily life goes smoothly) and redirect questions and requests when work fields or competences of other staff members are addressed.

-          present the scientific infrastructure and work to visitors and explaining ongoing projects (also non-scientific: in summer regular tourist visits)

-          entering information in databases or supervise interns to do so (literature, biological, oceanographic data and special observations on the fjord Comau)

-          preserving, logging and shipping of samples (e.g. specimens); possibly also taking pictures of collected specimens

-          administration of information about visiting scientists (boat trips, rented equipment, time of stay, questionnaires, pictures …); regularly sending updated information to the persons in charge of the website,…

-          accompanying visiting scientists on dive trips (of course not all visitors dive): showing and explaining dive sites and taking care that diving and sampling rules are respected (but no dive guiding)

-          operating and maintaining the compressor

-          help in the acquisition and maintenance of equipment (search for distributors, ask for prices quotes, tracking orders, organize repairs, emitting complaints when necessary etc.…

We offer:

-          550.000 CLP/ month (1133 US$) for the first 6 months, 650.000 CLP/month (1200 US$) from month 7 to 12, and another raise after one year -10% tax -7% health insurance -3% retirement insurance, the latter one can partially be reimbursed for foreigners when leaving the country (remark: general health insurance is pretty good in Chile and there is an additional health insurance for work related accidents and diseases)

-          reimbursement of expenses for an additional dive accident insurance like DAN or equivalent (this insurance is mandatory for anyone diving at Huinay Scientific Field Station and must be contracted by the diver prior to dive activities at the station)

-          Free lodging and food on the station and free transport from and to Hornopiren on regular boat trips (there arise no expenses during the stay on the station). You can also take the ferry that runs twice a week for approx. 3 US$

-          trip/flight back to the place of origin (if outside of Chile) after termination of the work contract

-          4 days off for every 11 days of work (flexible handling is possible and necessary; but days off cannot be accumulated for more than 1 month) and 20 days of vacation days (Monday through Friday) each year

-          some flexible handling of daily work hours, but there are core hours when at least one assistant should be available

You can find more information on the website http://www.huinay.cl or ask Katie or Ulo ("Research Assistant" <huinayresearch(at)gmail.com>). 

We are looking forward to your applications consisting of 1) application form (ask the research assistants for it), 2) cover letter explaining your personal incentive to apply at Huinay Scientific Field Station and why you think you are qualified for the job, and 3) a CV (not longer than 4 pages). Please already list 3-5 possible references, which will be necessary for applicants on the short list (these referees should know you personally and mainly describe your abilities to deal with difficult and unknown situations, rather than pure professional abilities); please do not send letters of recommendation now! We will contact them for shortlist applicants! Please send the application to huinayresearch(at)gmail.com –

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It is necessary that the successful applicant apply for their work visas prior to arrival at the station. Successful applicants will be sent copies of the work contract which need to be signed and returned for confirmation by a legal representative in order for you to apply for a work visa. This process can take up to 8 weeks.

DEADLINE: Jan 30 2015 or until an adequate applicant is found

Internships

We are always looking for interns to stay 6-8 weeks and help with all daily activities. Experienced divers are given priority, especially for our summer season (December-March).