Position: 1-2 field assistant are needed from ~April 23rd to ~May 18th, 2012.
Project: The Co-evolution of Asian Cuckoos and Passerine Hosts in Hawai'i. The broad-scale project will investigate egg recognition and clutch variation in several host species of Asian cuckoos parallelly in China, Japan and Hawai'i, US. This subproject in Hawai'i will examine breeding ecology of Red-billed Leiothrix (Leiothrix lutea), a common cuckoo host and an introduced species in Hawai'i. Project PI: Prof. Wei Liang from Hainan Normal University, China. Hawai'i subproject coordinators: Lijin Zeng, University of California, Riverside, USA; Yang Liu, University of Bern, Switzerland. Location: Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawai'i (the Big Island). Patchy native Hawai'ian forest surrounded by historical lava flow, relatively flat, about 1100m in elevation, mild in temperature and precipitation, occasionally voggy. Job description: nest-searching, egg spectrometer measurement, egg-change experiment, and predator model experiments. Assistants will receive training for all experiments before carrying them out in the field. The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in birds and animal behavior, be physically fit, and willing to work for occasional long or odd hours in the field. Previous experience with birds is preferred, and a valid driver's license is required. $$: Unfortunately we cannot provide a stipend or flight expenses to the work site. However, all expenses in Hawai'i during field work (i. e., housing, food, and local travel, etc.) will be covered. Application can be emailed to "Lijin Zeng" <[email protected]>, please include: 1) A cover letter outlining your motivation for this project, and how this experience will benefit you; 2) A CV highlighting your field experience; 3) A reference letter. We appreciate your application by Mar. 15, and the reference letter can come later. Should you have any question, please don't hesitate to contact project coordinators "Lijin Zeng" <[email protected]> and "Yang Liu" <[email protected]>. Thank you!
