Description

Discover a new way of learning with Para La Tierra!

Para La Tierra is searching for talented and hardworking research interns to take part in a remote internship, no matter where they are in the  world!  Our remote internship program provides students and graduates an opportunity to gain skills in research and project management, while earning on-the-job experience working with an NGO dedicated to having a positive impact on communities spread across the heart of South America.

The program is designed to give our interns the opportunity to take control of their career development. From choosing their topic to presenting their results, our interns are in the driver seat!

Learn from an award-winning conservation and research NGO based in Paraguay! 

Para La Tierra is dedicated to the conservation of fragile habitats in Paraguay through scientific research, community engagement, and environmental education. We are based in the beautiful city of Pilar – The City of Birds – and work across Southern Paraguay, from the expansive Ñeembucú Wetland Complex to the endangered Atlantic Forest.

At Para La Tierra, we specialize in training students and graduates in the skills they need to take the next step in their career, either towards higher education or into the job market. Over the past decade, we have hosted over 1,500 interns, each of whom has made a tangible contribution to the conservation of the fragile species and understudied ecosystems of Paraguay.

We are now very excited to offer remote learning opportunities designed to empower the next generation of conservationists, educators, and scientists!

Learning outcomes:

  • Gain experience in project design and execution
  • Learn data analysis techniques/critical analysis of literature
  • Gain experience in scientific writing
  • Possible scientific publication
  • Gain valuable experience to help you succeed in your next job interview or university application!

Whether your passion is for ecological research, community-based conservation, or social impact through education, PLT will make sure you are confident in the methodology needed to move your research forward.

Program Details & Associated Costs:

Para La Tierra charges interns in order to pay for our expert staff who will dedicate their time to coaching our interns throughout the project as well as to recover the costs invested into the research projects that were essential in the collection of the data being used in these projects. A small portion of the cost goes to support Para La Tierra’s conservation and education projects in Paraguay.

Ecological Data and Analysis Intern: Interns will be presented specific data-sets that are connected to a predetermined research question. The intern will be tasked with conducting an extensive literature review, analyzing the data, and preparing a mock manuscript of the results. As the data that we will share is unique and has not been published before, there exists the potential to publish the manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal, however the intern will likely need to spend more hours to achieve this quality of report.  ($225/month, minimum of 3 months)

Habitat Management & Conservation Intern: Conservation in the 21st century requires an integrated approach that prioritizes people and planet. Alongside their supervisor, interns will be tasked with identifying an area of study interest that connects the interns interests and expertise with the on-the-ground work of Para La Tierra. The program will culminate with a presentation of the intern’s findings to the Directive Team of PLT. Subject topics may include: Best practices in community-based conservation, communication strategies for wetland conservation, or approaches to Atlantic Forest conservation through flagship species. ($280/month for months 1 & 2, $240/month for months 3+)

Environmental Education Intern: Voces de la Naturaleza, PLT’s award-winning education program, was reaching hundreds of children across nearly 40 different communities before COVID shut down all in-person educational activities across the country. Hundreds of thousands of students have spent the past few months completely isolated from educational content due to the country’s decision to shut-down schools. The need for interactive and participatory education programming has never been higher. We invite interns to join our team to expand our programming and prepare our network of clubs to maximize our impact as soon as lock-down restrictions are lifted. ($240/month for months 1 & 2, $200/month months 3+)

To make these remote internships the most valuable experience, you will receive:

    • One-on-one coaching through the project development process, through emails and Zoom meetings
    • Access to a specially curated Para La Tierra data-set (Data Analysis Internship)
    • Access to a short-list of relevant scientific literature
    • Co-authorship on any publication arising from your work
    • A certificate of completion
  • And most importantly, an opportunity to drive positive change in Paraguay through conservation research!

Requirements

How to apply

You must be over 18 years old and have or be working towards a degree in a biology, environment or social sciences related subject. Conversational English is required. To apply please email your CV to paralatierra.py@gmail.com so we can start co-creating your project!

Learn more at paralatierra.org/ or on our social media pages.