Join our team of Research Assistants at our sea turtle nesting sites in the heart of COSTA RICA´S Southern Nicoya Peninsula!

about the organization 

The Threatened Marine Species Rescue Center (CREMA by its Spanish acronym) runs a comprehensive conservation program to protect endangered marine species along several beaches on the southern Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica. A key focus of our work is sea turtle conservation, with a nesting program that operates each year during the olive ridley nesting season (July–January). Our activities include night patrols and morning beach surveys, the protection of nests in project hatcheries, environmental education, and community engagement at both local and international levels.

This holistic approach not only helps safeguard sea turtles but also supports local livelihoods by creating jobs and promoting sustainable tourism. The olive ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is the most common nesting species on these beaches, while green turtles (Chelonia mydas), leatherback turtles (Dermochelys coriacea), and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) nest less frequently.

Egg poaching is the primary threat facing sea turtles nesting in the area. Other challenges include nest predation, plastic pollution, beach erosion, coastal development, and increasing tourist activity. CREMA is dedicated to reducing these threats and ensuring the long-term protection of marine turtles and their habitats.

Position Available: Research Assistants

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

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 

Location

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

PLAYAS SAN MIGUEL AND COSTA DE ORO

These beaches host hundreds of nesting olive ridley turtles each season, along with occasional nesting by green, hawksbill, and leatherback turtles. Both have a hatchery where the nests are relocated. San Miguel and Costa de Oro participants must be sociable, emphatic, resilient and be willing to work with a constantly changing team.

 PLAYA COROZALITO 

 

This beach hosts several thousand olive ridley sea turtles nesting each season, through both solitary nesting and arribadas, and occasional nesting of green turtles. It may be the most physically demanding project mostly due to the characteristics of its nesting activity. Also require a strong social skill to interact with the communitarian touristic activities.

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)

Health & Safety Considerations

Due to the physically demanding nature of the role, Research Assistants must be in good physical and medical condition. Projects are based in remote locations where access to medical care may be limited; therefore, participants are required to disclose any relevant medical conditions or potential health risks before confirming their placement.

Applicants should also be aware that entry requirements and health guidelines set by the Costa Rican government and Ministry of Health may change in response to COVID-19 conditions.

Duties

Research Assistants receive training to conduct and lead nightly beach patrols lasting 3–4 hours. During patrols, they collect biometric data from nesting sea turtles, apply front-flipper tags, and relocate nests to protected areas when available.

Responsibilities vary by project and may include:

  • Assisting with the training and supervision of new volunteers
  • Leading volunteers and visitors on guided night patrols
  • Conducting morning censuses to monitor in situ nests
  • Recording environmental data, including precipitation and temperature
  • Building, maintaining, and monitoring the project hatchery
  • Monitoring hatcheries day and night for emerging hatchlings and potential predators
  • Excavating nests and collecting data from unhatched eggs
  • Participating in community environmental education initiatives
  • Assisting with content creation for digital publications and social media
  • Maintaining and cleaning the station house

Research Assistants work closely with the Project Coordinator and support all aspects of project operations, including volunteer management, night patrol leadership, environmental education activities, and station maintenance.

While the position includes a strong research component, most projects are funded through Turtle Trax S.A.’s volunteer program. For this reason, Research Assistants play a key role in creating a welcoming, inclusive environment, ensuring volunteers feel like valued members of the research team and have a positive, meaningful experience during their stay. 

Fees, Training & Program Structure

Research Assistants contribute a weekly program fee to cover accommodation and three basic meals per day for the duration of their internship:

  • $180 USD per week at San Miguel and Costa de Oro
  • $120 USD per week at Corozalito

The minimum commitment is 10 weeks.

 Upon arrival, Turtle Trax and CREMA provide a comprehensive training workshop, which includes:

  • Lectures on current sea turtle conservation research
  • Safety and risk management training
  • Team-building activities
  • Hands-on field research training

Research Assistants also have the option to participate in the Independent Research Project Program, allowing them to complete a research project with their team under the guidance of a CREMA biologist.

Research Assistants are trained to conduct and lead nightly 3-4 hour beach patrols, in which they take biometric data from nesting sea turtles, tag their front flippers, and move their nests to a protected area if there is one available.

Additional Contact Information

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.