Position Available: Research Assistants
Position Type: Seasonal volunteer position requiring availability for night shifts, weekends, and holidays, as needed.

Location
Positions are available at three project sites in the southern Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, Costa Rica:

Period

SAN MIGUEL
1st Term: July 7th – September 17th 2026
2nd Term: August 15th – October 25th 2026
3rd Term: October 5th – December 15th 2026

COSTA DE ORO

1st Term: August 1st – October 16th 2026
2nd Term: October 5th – December 15th 2026

COROZALITO

1st Term: July 7th- September 19th 2026
2nd Term: September 19th – December 1st 2026
3rd Term: November 19th – January 31st 2027

Requirements
This is an unpaid position. Research Assistants are expected to remain at the project site for the full duration of their assigned term. Placements typically last 10 weeks, with the possibility of extension.

Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to applicants who meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Advanced university students or recent graduates in biological sciences or related fields
• Conversational proficiency in both Spanish and English
• Independent, reliable, and responsible
• Highly motivated with a positive attitude
• Adaptable to unexpected situations and unfamiliar cultural environments
• Physically capable of performing demanding fieldwork during both day and night, often in extreme weather conditions
• Respectful and curious about other cultures
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Willing and able to work in outdoor and/or isolated settings
• Previous experience with sea turtles or field research (preferred but not required)

Click here For more information about the Duties, Fees, Training & Program Structure

Application Information

• Cover letter, specifying which period and location options you would prefer (Presented as Full Name-Letter).
• Resume/CV (Presented as Full Name-CV)
• List of the email addresses of 3 references.

Application Instructions: Please submit the resume, cover letter, and three references to sgutierrez@cremacr.org and nestingresearch@gmail.com. Please make the subject line “RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION_ (your last name)” so it does not get lost. Candidates who do not meet the skills and qualifications laid out in this document will not be considered.