The 501(c) 3 non-profit Sustainable Bolivia invites you to step into the heart of the Amazon Rainforest with our volunteer experience at our newly constructed research station in the Aquicana Reserve! This position offers hands-on experience in ecological research in a beautiful lakeside tropical rainforest ecosystem.

Our staff is available to assist with planning your research by providing background information, local contacts/guides, access to our equipment, as well as knowledge of the area and the reserve. Sustainable Bolivia provides a comfortable space, with cabins overlooking the Aquicuana Lake, kitchen, bathrooms, as well as access to our research station.

What you can do:

Normally, researchers are free to define and conduct their own research and we welcome researchers interested in a wide variety of topics. We have many topics available such as:

Wildlife monitoring (monkeys, reptiles, amphibians, mammals, aquatic sampling, and insects)

Conservation science (camera traps, bioacoustics, insect collections, species discovery)

Research support (weather data, lab assistance)

Community engagement (social media, tours, NGO collaboration, grant writing)

Water quality analysis

Botany and Mycology surveys

If you have a specific interest we can help develop it to fit our local conditions, or you are free to work directly with the Director of Research here at the station. Volunteers are encouraged to form connections with local researchers and students at the local university: UAB-JB. We cultivate a relationship with the university through local researcher Vincent A. Vos, and he often provides insight to our volunteers. We encourage researchers to contribute their data to our collections to help inform decisions regarding protection of the Amazon.

Why join us?

Competitive pricing! Only $695 per month, with flexible durations

Over 20,000 ha of preserved, intact rainforest in the Bolivian Amazon home to Jaguars, 400+ confirmed birds, including the elusive Masked Antpitta

Lake access with caiman, otters, herons and many more

Training in ecology, species ID, survey design, and conservation methods.

Freedom to do your own research at your own pace!

Candidate Profile:

Academic background or demonstrated interest in biology, ecology, or related fields. Advanced English and minimal Spanish, with opportunities to improve. Physically able to hike and work in a hot, humid environment and comfortable in a remote field station. Friendly, adaptable, proactive, and passionate about conservation and education!

Please contact us at information@sustainablebolivia.org for more information and to join us in supporting research and conservation in the Amazon Rainforest.

The 501(c) 3 non-profit Sustainable Bolivia is looking for individuals interested in continuing a jaguar monitoring project at our research station in the Bolivian Amazon (Aquicuana Reserve).  Sustainable Bolivia provides a comfortable space, with cabins overlooking the Aquicuana Lake, kitchen, bathrooms, as well as access to our research station with some basic research materials such as camera traps and bug sheets. The project has been set up by a previous researcher, with camera traps placed at various locations throughout the reserve. Jaguars have been caught on the camera traps and we hope to continue gathering data about their behaviour and territory. Our staff is available to assist with planning your research by providing background information, local contacts/guides, as well as knowledge of the area and the reserve.

Research is undertaken on a volunteer basis as Sustainable Bolivia is a small NGO and cannot offer funding at this time. A fee is required to cover the cost of food and lodging on the reserve. Data gathered will be used to help inform decisions regarding protection of the Amazon and to help us secure funding for a park ranger program.

We hope to have researchers keep this project going on a continuous basis, and the work load is sufficient for 1 researcher at a time. Currently we are recruiting for the entirety of 2026 for this project.
Please contact us at information@sustainablebolivia.org for more information.