MSc degree project in Costa Rica

Minor field study (MFS) MSc projects in a research project called TROPICA - TIERED RISK ASSESSMENT OF PESTICIDE USE IN COSTA RICAN AGRICULTURE.
The project, funded by Formas-Sida, is run in collaboration with IRET, the Central American Institute for Studies on Toxic Substances at UNA (National Univ in Costa Rica) and with researchers from Stockholm University, SLU and Wageningen Univ, the Netherlands.

The project evaluates environmental risks caused by pesticide applications in Costa Rican agriculture (banana, pinapple, rice) to downstream aquatic life in a watershed on the Carribean Coast of Costa Rica, the "Rio and "Laguna Madre de Dios".

We are looking for one or two motivated MSc students, to work in the projects’ last phase for conducting an ecological risk assessment of the area based on weight of evidence from ecological, tocicological and chemical data. The MSc projects involve both field work in the Laguna Madre de Dios on the Carribean Coast and desktop work using various scaling and weighing methods.

The time frame is: 1) preparations and training in ERA techniques in Sweden during May-June and 2) work in Costa Rica from August to November 2013.

Requirements: Good knowledge in ecology, ecotoxicology and environmental chemistry. Basic knowledge in Spanish, a driving licence and previous experience with field work in the tropics is a bonus.

For more information please contact:

Jonas Gunnarsson (jonas@ecology.su.se)

Michael Tedengren (tedengren@ecology.su.se)