Paid Internship Deploying Geolocators on Kirtland's Warblers

Kirtland’s Warbler Paid Internship (Geolocator Deployment) – Approximately May 5 to July 5 (dates somewhat flexible) – We are looking for one field technician to assist with the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center’s ongoing research on the Kirtland’s Warbler in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. Our goal is to use new multi-sensor geolocators to learn more about the migration ecology and behavior of the species. Fieldwork will involve assisting a M.S. student in capturing male and female birds and deploying geolocators. Banding experience with small songbirds is required, and experience attaching tags using a leg-loop harness is strongly preferred. There is a second, larger Kirtland’s Warbler project happening at the same time (see separate advertisement). Housing will be shared among crews and so there will be ample opportunities to interact. In addition, interns would likely help out with behavioral observations of color-banded birds for this project as well. In your cover letters, please clearly highlight your experience in the areas mentioned above.

To be a successful applicant for this position, the candidate will need to be flexible, independently motivated, show strong initiative, and be willing and physically able to spend long days navigating dense stands of jack pines with cold mornings and hot afternoons 5-6 days per week for the duration of the season.

Interns will receive a stipend of $550-600 per week. Shared housing, a field vehicle, and ground transportation from Detroit Metro Airport (if necessary) will be provided at no cost. The field sites are located across beautiful northern Michigan with teams based near Grayling, Michigan. Great canoeing, bird watching, fly fishing, and other recreational opportunities exist in the area. This internship position is ideal for students and recent undergraduates with relevant field experience looking to expand their skills in ornithological fieldwork and research as they prepare for graduate school or a career in research.

To apply, please send a 1-page cover letter and a Resume/CV with contact information for 3 references as a single .pdf file. Name this file “Your_Last_Name_KIWA_Geo_Intern.pdf” and send to Dr. Nathan W. Cooper (coopern@si.edu). Please put “Your_Last_Name_KIWA_Geo_Intern” in the subject line of the email. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so please apply ASAP.