I am looking for a field assistant to help collect plant data in western China for my dissertation research. Please forward this to any adventurous conservation-minded students you know of. Reliability and maturity are more important than upper level biology courses!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ I am looking for an upper-level undergraduate student or recent graduate serve as a summer research assistant. My project studies the impact of small mammal disturbance on plant species in alpine meadows. The field assistant's responsibilities include: communication in Mandarin with locals; recording plant species data; collecting plant specimens; and collecting soil samples. Previous experience identifying plants is encouraged, but not required (all field techniques can be taught on-site; you will not be required to identify plants without my supervision) This position is an unpaid, temporary, full-time position from late May to mid August (exact dates to be determined). Living expenses (including round trip ticket from the United States to China, food, and lodging) are covered, but you will not receive a stipend. You will not be required to hike long distances, but field site are located at high altitudes (3200m-5000m/ 12000-16400ft). Living conditions are rural, but not primitive. Housing will be in rural hotels (typically outdoor or squat toilet), and dining at local restaurants (strict vegetarian meals may be hard to find). Requirements: * At least 3 years of Mandarin Chinese, or its equivalent * Previous travel outside the United States/ Canada (i.e., this cannot be your first time abroad!) * Reliability, maturity, and enthusiasm * Interest in conservation issues and Chinese culture * Physical fitness; ability to work at high altitudes; willingness to take altitude medication * U.S. passport valid for 6 months after departure date (mid August) Preferences: * Backpacking/ camping/ hiking experience * Experience with ecological field work * Basic plant identification skills In past years, I have had two types of assistants: (1) A full-time research assistant who is near fluency in Mandarin, and who assists me for the length of the study. At this point I am only accepting applications from students with at least 3 years of Mandarin Chinese for the research assistant position. If I am unable to fill the position under these requirements, I will open the search up to other candidates. (2) Research volunteers who pay their own way, have more basic Mandarin skills, and who assist for only part of the study period. Typically these volunteers are individuals finishing up a study-abroad program in China. If you are interested in serving as a volunteer, I will still need you to send a cover letter, CV, and list of references. Interested applicants please submit a cover letter, CV (can be more than 1 page), and names of three references who know you well to [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> . Please indicate if you are applying as a research assistant or volunteer. If you have questions or want more information, don't hesitate to drop me an informal e-mail. Thanks! Brigitte Hogan =========================== Brigitte W. Hogan NSF Graduate Research Fellow School of Life Sciences P.O. Box 874601 Arizona State University Tempe, AZ 85287-4601 Ph:(480) 296-8040, Fax:(480) 965-7599 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ===========================