About the Organization

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), a division of the Smithsonian Institution located in the Republic of Panama, maintains a series of research facilities in different marine and terrestrial locations on the Isthmus of Panama. Disciplines include ecology, anthropology, paleontology, evolutionary biology, molecular phylogenetics, biogeography, animal behavior, soil sciences, physiology of tropical plants or animals, neurobiology and paleoecology.

The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) traces its 90-year history in Panama from the construction of the Panama Canal, and the scientific interest in surveying the flora and fauna of the area for the purpose of controlling insect borne diseases such as yellow fever and malaria. Today STRI conducts scientific research and explorations of natural history throughout the Isthmus at 7 different terrestrial and marine field stations equipped with modern laboratories and dormitory facilities.

Job Description

Interns will be matched with, directly assist, and be guided by principle researchers involved in specific ongoing projects in the above areas. Illustrative tasks that interns may undertake include: specimen collection and cataloging; field inventories of flora or fauna; data gathering, entry and analysis; laboratory tests and procedures; equipment calibration and data monitoring; web-based literature searches and summaries; information compiling and presentation; publication and educational information preparation.

Every effort will be made to provide interns professional practical experience and conceptual understanding related to their internship assignment. While internships are not designed to support independent research projects, early communications between interns and researchers may lead to to agreement on information access, guidance and scope for an intern secondary project.

Preliminary Matching Process: Interested candidates are asked to look at ongoing research and fields of activity on the STRI website, and identify those in which they are most interested. Email this information, along with a current resume and brief paragraph on relationship of internship choices to career goals and skills/course work to ., IE3 Regional Director for Latin America.

# of Positions per term

2

Start Dates

Beginning of any academic term

Duration of Internship

Minimum 10 weeks

Academic Background

Environmental Studies, Environmental Science, Horticulture, Natural Resources, Biology, Neurobiology, Soil Science, Ecology, Botany, Marine Studies, Anthropology and other related majors such as paleontology, evolutionary biology, molecular phylogenetics, biogeography, animal behavior, physiology of tropical plants or animals, neurobiology and paleoecology.

Skills/Experience

Previous field experience; database and computer skills; relevant research methodologies and techniques.

Language Ability

Some Spanish to facilitate daily living is recommended.

Other Requirements

Must be willing, and physically capable of, residing and working in fairly remote research stations within hot, humid tropical environment. Adequate but rustic living arrangements, and sometimes taxing physical work, may be part of daily existence on some stations.

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee* for the first term of any internship is $2950 - $3150. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

*The program fee noted above reflects the anticipated fee increase that will go into effect for the Fall 2010 term and will apply to all terms thereafter.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
International Travel	$1000
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations	$500

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	$400-$500
Food	$100
Local Transportation	$100
Recreation	$100
Personal Expenses	$100

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

Intern will need approximately $700-$800 per month for all local costs, including room and board above. It may be possible to arrange shared housing in the STRI dormitories (depends on availability).

STRI does offer a Fellows Program that provides funding for interns: InternshipProgramGeneralInformationfor_funding.pdf