Research Internships – Evolutionary Biology

Research interns are needed to assist in a multi-disciplinary,
multi-investigator, experimental study of the interactions between
ecology and evolution in Trinidad, West Indies. The research is led by
Professor David Reznick at the University of California, Riverside in
collaboration with Joseph Travis (Florida State), Tim Coulson (Oxford),
Paul Bentzen (Dalhousie U.), and Ron Bassar (Williams).  We seek to
integrate multiple biological fields for the study of these
interactions in experimental populations of guppies in Trinidad. Duties
include assisting in monthly censuses of guppy populations in montane
streams. The monthly censuses include long hours in the field and
laboratory.  There will also be 12 days off between each census when
interns can pursue an independent project.

Qualifications: We seek interns who are entertaining the
possibility of pursuing graduate studies in some area of ecology and
evolution and who wish to gain some additional field research
experience before doing so.  Research will take place in semi-remote
areas of Trinidad sometimes under bad weather conditions. Applicants
must be able to live and work well with others. Research will involve
carrying heavy packs over slippery and steep terrain. Applicants must
be in good physical condition and be able to meet the demands of field
research under these conditions. Ability to drive a standard
transmission vehicle is desirable but not required. Applicants with
first-aid/first responder training, skills in automobile maintenance,
and construction skills are highly desirable. Please address these
skills when applying.

Interns will be required to spend a minimum of 3-months in
Trinidad, with possibility of extension. There are potential start
dates in July 2019 and every month thereafter until early 2019. We will
cover all travel and living expenses and provide housing.

Please see our website <www.theguppyproject.weebly.com> for
more information on the project and access to reprints.  Be sure to
check out our video menu, which includes a “guppy censuses” submenu
that details the main tasks associated with the internship.

Applicants should send cover letter, CV and the names and e-mail
addresses of three or more professional references to David Reznick
(gupy@ucr.edu). At least two of the references should be academics.

Ron Bassar <rdb4@williams.edu>