The Guafo Island research team is seeking enthusiastic and motivated individuals to assist with field work and data collection activities of wild South American fur seals at Guafo Island, Northern Chilean Patagonia.
The field working season this year is between December 10th and March 15^th with the possibility of starting on January 15th.

The project responsibilities include capture and restrain of South American fur seal adults and pups and depending on volunteer skills and experience collection of blood, swabs and feces. Volunteers will also assist veterinary staff during Necropsies of fur seal pups following a standard protocol of sample collection.

The work also includes helping with domestic tasks, keeping of the campsite and assist on the work of the field laboratory (mainly help with CBCs, blood smears and osteological samples processing).

Guafo Island is a pristine and large oceanic island with no permanent human inhabitants. During the prolong field work (2 to 3 months) communication is very limited and our campsite does not have electricity, running fresh water or shower. The weather is cold, rainy and windy with average thermal sensation in the summer of 9 Celsius degrees.

Requirements:

At least 20 years of age.
Health compatible with physically demanding field work.

Health insurance.

 

Benefits:

Our research group pay for in-country travel, housing and meals during the duration of the field work. International fly tickets and health insurance cannot be covered.

Desired Skills
*      Strong Interest in and awareness of animal and ecosystem health
*         Willingness to get wet and dirty
*         Attention to detail
*         Able to live in isolated place without regular communication and basic services
*         Ability to multi-task
*        Desired previous experience handling blood and tissue samples
 *      Desired previous experience in restrain of wild animals.
  *     Able to resist bad weather navigation.
   *     Basic Spanish.

 

Individuals interested on applying to the position should send an email describing their motivations and a Curriculum Vitae to:

Dr. Mauricio Seguel: mseguel@uga.edu

 

Additional information about research projects at Guafo Island can be found at http://www.guafoislandscience.com/

Best Regards, 

Mauricio Seguel     DVM, DACVP
PhD Candidate
Department of Pathology
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of Georgia, Athens, GA

Office: 1-706-583-0476