VOLUNTEER ELEPHANT SEAL RESEARCH ASSISTANTS (3-4) needed for winter 2026/2027 on Southeast Farallon Island (30 miles west of San Francisco). This volunteer opportunity is designed to allow early career ecologists to gain valuable hands-on field research and remote living experience while contributing to long-term research on the ecology of northern elephant seals and other pinnipeds.

Volunteer RAs will:

• Learn how to census and monitor breeding elephant seals and other pinnipeds including applying flipper tags and resighting previously tagged or marked animals.
• Learn how to survey salamanders, crickets, songbirds, seabirds, gulls, burrowing owls, and whales that visit the island and surrounding waters. 
• Learn how to enter, proof, and manage data, contribute to the upkeep and maintenance of the research station, and take turns cooking. 
• Participate in field research 7 days a week, with a variable schedule that includes long days and night work. Long term RAs may receive some break time off the island (needs to be agreed upon prior to season) and/or occasional days off while on the island. Some fieldwork requires rigorous physical activity including strenuous hiking and climbing.
• Applicants should enjoy working independently with a high level of responsibility in fieldwork and data entry as well as working frequently with a partner or team.
• Preference will be given to applicants with a degree in biology or related field and prior ecological research experience with pinnipeds or other large mammals.
• Enthusiasm for intense fieldwork on a small, isolated island and the ability to get along well with others is essential.