mardi 17 février 2009

Volunteer and REU positions: marmot behavioral ecology

Several volunteer field assistants needed for a field study ofyellow-bellied marmot behavior and ecology.
Work begins in mid-Mayin Crested Butte, Colorado and goes through 10 September.
We'relooking for people who can commit to at least 2 months, preferablymore, and we are especially looking for people who can start work inmid-May. Early season applicants must be prepared to ski or hike in and workon cross-country skis or snowshoes in and around the 9,500 foot RockyMountain Biological Laboratory (www.rmbl.org).
Days are long and workis physically demanding; you must be willing to hike and work in thisspectacularly beautiful sub-alpine valley. You will be expected totrap, mark and observe marmots, collect biological samples (blood,feces, hair), and regularly enter data into spreadsheets. A vehicleis a bonus, but not required.
The ideal person will learn quickly,and be able to work both independently and as a member of aclose-knit, international research team.This is a great opportunity to obtain field experience beforegraduate school. Previous volunteers have obtained course credit,engaged in independent study, conducted honors research that formedthe basis of senior theses back at their home institutions, orcollected data that became part of masters work at their homeinstitution.We also have up to two REU positions (both are run through the RMBLand applications for this close 15 February).
Volunteers are expected to pay RMBL station fees, housing and food (for most, thisworks out to about $30/day).
Interested? Contact Dan Blumstein (marmots@ucla.edu; 310-267-4746)for more details. Positions open until filled.