Summer Field Assistant for bird behavior project (USA)

Location: Edinburg, Texas
Salary: Stipend (TBD), housing, shared rental car
Start Date: Mid May
End Date: Mid to Late August
Last Date to Apply: March 27, 2015


Position Description:  Undergraduate field assistant needed for the summer. Assistant will be helping a graduate student with thesis research. Research involves measuring the response of male Bronzed Cowbirds to urban noise during courtship displays. Responsibilities for this position include extracting birds from mist nets, setting up and breaking down mist nets and field equipment, transporting equipment in a vehicle, and recording observations with a camera, microphone, and field notebook. There may also be opportunities to gain experience placing color bands on the legs of birds.  Interested applicants should email a cover letter and resume detailing relevant experience and qualifications to Dr. Kathleen Lynch at Kathleen.S.Lynch@hofstra.edu (also see https://sites.google.com/site/lynchbehaviorlab/home).

Qualifications:
-Valid driver's license
-Must be comfortable with animal dissections
-Familiarity with animal physiology
-Interest in bird research, experience handling birds or small animals preferred
-Ability to comfortably and peacefully live with others in close quarters
-Applicant must also be able to work in hot weather for several hours and stay focused. Communication skills, patience, and respect for animal life are required.