Nonprofit
Published 1/26/26 4:06PM

Wildlife Biology Research Assistantship Training Program

On-site, Volunteer must be in or near Madre de Dios, Madre de Dios, Peru
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  • Details

    Time Commitment:
    Full time (30+ hrs/wk)
    Commitment Details:
    This is a training program that allows participants to develop key skills in real field research methodology.
    Recurrence:
    Recurring
    Cost:
    Fee Required

    Description

    Field Projects International has limited openings in three field research training programs in the Peruvian Amazon:

    Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology: The longest-running research project, Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology, evaluates 11 primate species to observe diet, movement, dispersal, and reproductive biology - with special focus on two species of tamarin.

    Research assistants will become adept at conducting behavioral follows of several target groups (with and without radio telemetry technology), collecting biological samples, and learn to maintain a grid of UHF radio nodes distributed at regular intervals in the forest to record animal movement and survival year-round.

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/primate-behavior-program/

    Wildlife Health: Assist a wildlife veterinary research team safely collecting samples from a wide array of vertebrate taxa (birds, bats, nonhuman primates, other small mammals, and herpetofauna) with the aim of improving molecular reference data for the region, as well as to study ecological links throughout the community via parasites and pathogens. Participants learn safe capture and release techniques along with best practices for sample and data collection. Additional skills include field sampling for environmental DNA, sample biobanking under field conditions, species identification through morphometry, handheld GPS navigation, and much more.

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/wildlife-biology

    Conservation Genomics: Work alongside an active conservation genomics research team to generate and analyze genetic data that informs wildlife conservation and management. Participants assist with biological sample processing, DNA extraction, PCR, and library preparation in a BSL-2 laboratory, while learning how genomic data are used to study population structure, connectivity, biodiversity, and evolutionary history. Research assistants gain hands-on experience with lab workflows, data management, and the integration of field and molecular data to address real-world conservation questions.

    • *minimum 6-week commitment for Conservation Genomics**

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/conservation-genomics/

    Quick Facts:

    • 2026 Start Dates: May 24, June 14, or July 5
    • Minimum Commitment: 5 weeks
    • Location: Los Amigos Biological Station, Peru
    • Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
    • Program Fee: $2,450 for 5 weeks; $490 each additional week (Fee includes food and lodging at the field station, training and use of field equipment. Fee does not include transportation to the field station).

    See our scholarship opportunities:

    https://fieldprojects.org/participate/scholarships/

    Ready to apply? CV + 2 references required:

    https://fieldprojects.org/research-program-application

    All questions can be directed to Kassidy K León at info[at]fieldprojects[dot]org

    Location

    On-site

    Los Amigos Biological Station

    Madre de Dios 17600, Peru

    How to Volunteer for This Opportunity

    Field Projects International has limited openings in three field research training programs in the Peruvian Amazon:

    Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology: The longest-running research project, Primate Behavior & Movement Ecology, evaluates 11 primate species to observe diet, movement, dispersal, and reproductive biology - with special focus on two species of tamarin.

    Research assistants will become adept at conducting behavioral follows of several target groups (with and without radio telemetry technology), collecting biological samples, and learn to maintain a grid of UHF radio nodes distributed at regular intervals in the forest to record animal movement and survival year-round.

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/primate-behavior-program/

    Wildlife Health: Assist a wildlife veterinary research team safely collecting samples from a wide array of vertebrate taxa (birds, bats, nonhuman primates, other small mammals, and herpetofauna) with the aim of improving molecular reference data for the region, as well as to study ecological links throughout the community via parasites and pathogens. Participants learn safe capture and release techniques along with best practices for sample and data collection. Additional skills include field sampling for environmental DNA, sample biobanking under field conditions, species identification through morphometry, handheld GPS navigation, and much more.

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/wildlife-biology

    Conservation Genomics: Work alongside an active conservation genomics research team to generate and analyze genetic data that informs wildlife conservation and management. Participants assist with biological sample processing, DNA extraction, PCR, and library preparation in a BSL-2 laboratory, while learning how genomic data are used to study population structure, connectivity, biodiversity, and evolutionary history. Research assistants gain hands-on experience with lab workflows, data management, and the integration of field and molecular data to address real-world conservation questions.

    • *minimum 6-week commitment for Conservation Genomics**

    More info: https://fieldprojects.org/participate/conservation-genomics/

    Quick Facts:

    • 2026 Start Dates: May 24, June 14, or July 5
    • Minimum Commitment: 5 weeks
    • Location: Los Amigos Biological Station, Peru
    • Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
    • Program Fee: $2,450 for 5 weeks; $490 each additional week (Fee includes food and lodging at the field station, training and use of field equipment. Fee does not include transportation to the field station).

    See our scholarship opportunities:

    https://fieldprojects.org/participate/scholarships/

    Ready to apply? CV + 2 references required:

    https://fieldprojects.org/research-program-application

    All questions can be directed to Kassidy K León at info[at]fieldprojects[dot]org

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