**About Association ELI-S** ELI-S is a small nonprofit organization based in France that has been created in 2013. Our organization aims at promoting, protecting and conserving cetaceans in Central America. We are running the Cetacean Conservation Project of Nicaragua since 2016. This pioneer project aims to generate knowledge on cetacean presence, population size, distribution and habitat use patterns. The expected output is to generate:1) scientific data on cetaceans in Nicaragua, 2) environmental awareness to the local communities in order to create a socio-economic relevance in conserving and protecting their natural environment and 3) responsible eco-tourism. ELI-Scientific is recruiting volunteer research assistants for field work, photo-identification and data entry from between January and April 2020 in Padre Ramos and San Juan del Sur. All team members will have a training beforehand on field methodologies and protocols as well as data entry and data management. Research assistants should expect to spend time on the computer for data analysis but also to spend some days on the field to gather data during the 16-week field study. The Research Assistant have a unique opportunity to participate to a pioneer research project under the supervision of experienced marine biologists, which gives the opportunity for the assistant to develop both professionally but also personally thanks to the unique experience to live within local communities. A commitment of minimum 1 month is expected. *Location: *San Juan del Sur South-West of Nicaragua and Padre Ramos North-West of Nicaragua *Period: *Between January and April with a start on the first of each month (1 month commitment) *Type of agreement: *Full time. *Duties:* - Assist in Boat based and land based surveys in collecting data on cetaceans - Photo-identification of whale and dolphin species - Update photo-ID catalogue - Data entry of collected data - Participate to public outreach and events *Desirable Skills and qualifications:* - *Bsc or Mc in biology / environmental sciences* - *Fluency in Spanish (!)* - *Enthusiastic, conscientious and hard working (!)* - Experience of working in developing countries - Proactive with ability to work unsupervised - Interest in wildlife and conservation - Being comfortable on a small boat and spend long hours on a boat in the sun - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Being able to work in a small team - Being able to live in basic living conditions - An interest and knowledge of marine life - A background in science (chemistry, physics or biology) - Be able to swim *Successful candidate will:* - Gain valuable experience in cetacean survey techniques and behavioral studies - Work in a very dynamic environment - Get insight in running a research project in developing countries This position is an *unpaid position* and requires a participation fee of 900 euros per month *This fee includes:* - Accommodation in a shared room - All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and cook - Water and electricity - Fieldwork expenses - One week Training to marine mammal survey material and methodologies - Membership to the organization for a year - 2 t-shirts *Fee does not include:* - Flights to the country - Personal expenses: restaurants, bars, telephone, internet, cleaning clothes, etc. *To apply:* Please email your CV, 2 references and cover letter outlining your experience and motivations. Send this to v.pouey@hotmail.fr *and * eliscientific@gmail.com in copy with"Research assistant 2020" in the subject line. Interviews via Skype. Deadline: 15th of October 2019.