Museum Taxonomy Internship

About Para La Tierra:

Fundación Para La Tierra is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation of fragile habitats in Paraguay. Our vision is to change the course of Paraguayan environmentalism by inspiring people to appreciate the value of nature. We are working together with the Paraguayan government, local community members, national and international NGOs, and national and international volunteers and interns to protect Paraguay’s unique environment.

Para La Tierra achieves this mission through three primary programs: Scientific Research, Community Engagement, and Environmental Education.

Based in Paraguay, the ‘heart of South America,’ we are caring for the country’s second largest natural reference collection. This is one of the most important resources for conservation and natural history, in a country where relatively little is known about its biodiversity.

About the Museum Taxonomy Internship:

Want to be become an expert of a certain taxonomic group? Our collection has many specimens that need identification and sorting based on their taxonomy! You can work with taxonomic groups like mammals (specifically Chiroptera, Rodentia or Didelphidae), reptiles, amphibians, insects or other invertebrates (spiders, scorpions, snails, aquatic macroinvertebrates).

Your main responsibilities will be to identify specimens that are still unidentified from our collection and to help sort the collection in a more specific taxonomic order.

This includes activities such as:

• Following dichotomous keys

• Doing literature review about certain taxa

• Working on scientific manuscripts for publishing (depending on the findings)

• Working closely with collection specimens

Depending on your interests, you can also join other museum-related activities. Our internship program is designed to provide young professionals with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience working at a zoological collection, while sharing moments with an international team of professionals.

Apply today if you want to learn and gain basic experience in taxonomy and become part of the second biggest zoological collection of Paraguay and the amazing team of Para La Tierra!

Requirements:

Applicants must be over 18 years old and have or be working towards a degree in a biology related subject. Conversational English or Spanish is required. You must be ready to stay for at least 1 month.

Conditions:

Para La Tierra charges interns to cover costs of room and board. The price includes all living costs during their stay with us and a personal pick-up upon arriving. Interns receive three meals a day, unlimited coffee, tea, yerba mate and diluting juice, as well as a bed in shared accommodation with hot showers and access to WiFi. It also includes organised activities & trips for our interns such as barbecues, game nights, beach trips and much more.

The fee further covers assistance with the use of PLT’s scientific equipment, administrative costs associated with the stay, and a small contribution to Para La Tierra's conservation and education projects.

Weekly basis pro rata payments are accepted in special cases. There is a 25% discount for South American nationals.

Costs: $1,195 per month for the 1st 2 months and $995 for each subsequent month.

Application:

The application period is rolling and there are no start or end dates, so the trip can be organized to suit the project and the person.

To apply please email your CV and a short cover letter to olivia@paralatierra.org.