Institutional Mission:

SFS creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work. The SFS community is part of a growing network of individuals and institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

Position:

Lecturer in Tropical Coastal Ecology

Reports To:

Center Director

Dean, Office of Academic Affairs

Location:

Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies (TIBS), Bocas del Toro, Panama

Start Date:

August 17th, 2026

Compensation/Benefits:
This is an academic year contract position with the likely continuance depending on successful completion of duties and contract renewal. Salary is dependent on experience qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package and on-site room and board included.

Position Summary:
The SFS Center for Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies, located in Bocas del Toro, Panama seeks an enthusiastic, team-oriented individual to serve as part of a team of faculty and staff that delivers an interdisciplinary, hands-on learning experience to students spending a semester in Panama. On a contract basis, the Lecturer in Tropical Coastal Ecology will deliver the 50-hour Tropical Coastal Ecology course during the fall and spring semesters. Additionally, during fall and spring, they will co-teach the 50-hour Directed Research course with other faculty members, leading a faculty-developed directed research project with a small group of students. This position will also assist in teaching one 50-hour summer course, Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact. Depending on program needs, the teaching portfolio may expand to include a second summer course in the future.

SFS programs are field-based and experiential. This position will engage students in a classroom and through extensive time spent in the field. We encourage faculty to integrate as much fieldwork and hands-on experience into their courses as possible.

SFS programs do not follow a nine to five model. Faculty are also integral members of the Center’s communal living model, eating and working with the student cohort.

Faculty are expected to be active members in the community-building process. Additional responsibilities outside of teaching may include participation in community engagement days, involvement in student life, organization of laboratory space, and general Center upkeep. We are especially interested in candidates with experience teaching field research to a diverse student body, and demonstrated commitment to diversity, inclusion, and cultural competence in a learning environment, conservation, and the Center’s host community.

Center Focus:
The central theme of The School for Field Studies (SFS) Panama study abroad program is “islands as a delicate system,” with emphasis on the resources of Panama’s spectacular coastal and marine environments. Students will explore several key interfaces: human and natural systems, terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and conservation and development. The goal of this undergraduate study abroad program is to assess the state of the archipelago’s natural habitats, define the main environmental issues, and understand the community’s goals for natural resource management. Our ultimate aim is to share knowledge gathered from our research to help inform local governance initiatives and to be an organization driven to support local communities in the Bocas del Toro Province.

SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion:
SFS was founded with the belief that stewardship of our planet is the responsibility of people all around the world. Addressing complex global issues requires the active inclusion of stakeholders with varying perspectives and identities. We recognize that to successfully address threats to our natural world, we must look beyond social constructs designed to divide us. Just as we value biodiversity in all its forms, we value and engage with a multitude of diverse perspectives and people in the countries where we work and the students and staff we serve.

Duties and Responsibilities

SFS Lecturer positions are different than many other university teaching positions. Lecturers are integral members of the Center’s communal living model. The faculty team works closely and collaboratively to deliver a field-based interdisciplinary program, where programming days can be long and active. In addition to providing high quality, inquiry-based teaching, faculty also participate fully in student life and in the implementation of the Center’s research plan. The publication of both student-assisted and independent research results is encouraged and supported.

Teaching

As part of an interdisciplinary teaching team, teach and co-teach the Tropical Coastal Ecology and Directed Research courses, respectively. Course descriptions are found below.

Plan, revise, and effectively deliver a challenging, problem-based interdisciplinary curriculum to learners from diverse disciplinary and cultural backgrounds

Organize lectures, prepare course materials, and adhere to a daily academic schedule in a timely and professional manner

Organize field-based exercises to facilitate students practicing common field methods in marine science

Actively support and counsel students on academic issues

Prepare, administer, and grade assignments, quizzes, and assessments

Supervise and mentor a student research group during the Directed Research course

Maintain an organized course portfolio

Participate in preparation of final reports, academic handbook revisions, and other required administrative tasks

Maintain equipment as required for teaching in the field

Research

Participate in the development and upkeep of the Center’s Strategic Research Plan (SRP) and conduct designated and aligned independent research

Identify appropriate components of the SRP suitable for student DR projects that prioritize community needs and build on local knowledge networks

Prepare research results for community stakeholders and broader scientific and non-scientific audiences using accessible communication methods

Assist, as required, with reviewing program research policies, priorities, and budgets

Follow data management, record keeping, and reporting systems

Represent SFS and/or present research at local, regional, or international meetings and conferences

Daily Center Life

Work flexible hours and live on site or nearby the field station with a small team of permanent staff and groups of US undergraduate students.

Contribute to the creation of a living-learning community that is inclusive of diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds, in which all learners have the opportunity to thrive

Actively model skills in competence, awareness, and knowledge necessary for meaningfully working with, interacting with, and learning from others who may differ from oneself in identity and/or lived experience

On a rotating basis, act as on-call "staff of the day/week"

Participate in the planning of activities and semester calendar prior to the start of the program and in training for new program staff

Participate in and lead parts of the orientation and re-entry components of the program presented to students at the beginning and end of each program

Participate in regular evaluations and reflection discussions following students' departure

Take part in, and occasionally lead, community outreach events, site upkeep projects, and field activities

In cooperation with other program staff, provide day-to-day coordination of interns and/or field assistants as delegated by the Center Director

As requested by the Center Director, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks

At all times, work to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community

Drive standard transmission vehicles and boats as needed (driving license may be required)

Safety and Wellbeing

Take responsibility, as an individual and as a member of the Center team, for the safety of all program participants

Complete Risk Management Plans in a timely fashion for each field outing

Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems

Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all SFS and program policies and procedures, including the values of the SFS Position on Diversity and Inclusion

Participate in the review and revision of program risk assessment and management plans

Know the emergency procedures plan for the field station, including evacuation plan

Participate in the safety portions of the on-site orientation and conduct safety briefings for students and/or staff

Complete incident reports when appropriate and contribute to safety audits.

Obtain Wilderness First Aid certification prior to first day of work (SFS support and reimbursable available) and ensure first-aid certifications are kept up to date

Minimum Qualifications:

This position requires legal authorization to work in Panama; Candidates with existing authorization to work in Panama are strongly encouraged to apply, though all qualified applicants will be considered.

Ph.D. and university-level teaching experience in Marine Science/ecology. Candidates with a Master’s degree and significant experience or scholarship may be considered.

Field research experience, preferably in a field of Marine Science

Demonstrated commitment to creating inclusive learning environments

Demonstrated ability to work as part of an interdisciplinary teaching and research team

Track record of research publications

Experience leading educational exercises in marine environments (particularly snorkeling) to conduct assessments on coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds.

Experience teaching classes in the field

Demonstrated commitment to environmental issues

Fluent in English (all courses taught in English)

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience working in tropical marine settings

Experience teaching field courses

Experience with residential student group management and/or risk management

Experience cross-teaching or collaborating on interdisciplinary projects

Able to operate standard transmission vehicles and boats (driving license may be required)

Track record of grant writing success

Current First Aid, CPR, and/or Wilderness First Aid certification

Fluent or conversational in Spanish.

Expectations for Faculty Conduct:

The School for Field Studies strives to create and maintain a work environment in which people are treated with dignity, decency, and respect. The SFS environment is characterized by mutual trust and the absence of intimidation, oppression, and exploitation. SFS will not tolerate unlawful discrimination or harassment, including sexual harassment, of any kind. Through enforcement of this policy and by education of employees, SFS seeks to prevent, correct, and discipline behavior that violates this policy.

All offers of employment are contingent upon clear results of a thorough background check, which may include, depending on the candidate’s home of record and local requirements, a certificate of good standing or clearance from the local police precinct. Background checks will be conducted on all final candidates and on all employees as deemed necessary.

Course Descriptions (can be amended to candidates' expertise):

Tropical Coastal Ecology: Tropical Coastal Ecology (TCE) is a course that provides fundamental knowledge necessary to understand the main ecological processes and interactions occurring in coastal zones and fragile marine island ecosystems. Basic ecological principles are paired with field observation and measurement to understand the interdependencies of species, populations, communities, and ecosystems in the coastal and marine environment, and with particular attention to the management of resources and environments. Our studies will focus on the shallow marine and coastal environments of Bocas del Toro with an emphasis on coral reef, seagrass, and mangrove habitats. We will study the biology, ecology, and behavior of key species, including those that create habitats and those that are important resources to the people of Bocas del Toro through fisheries and tourism. Finally, we will consider the impact of anthropogenic disturbance and global climate change on the island ecosystems and organisms living there, as well as discuss possible management solutions.

Tropical Island Ecosystems: The Human Impact: This course introduces the concepts and principles of sustainable tourism alongside the evaluation of ecosystem health and diversity. This unique field-based program allows students to determine how natural habitats, and human livelihoods coexist in the dynamic socio-economic context of Bocas del Toro, Panama – which is one of the fastest growing tourism destinations in Latin America.

Directed Research: This course provides students with the opportunity to apply ecological, biological, and/or social-scientific methods to a field research project that addresses a local issue related to the environment. We will also investigate the ways that various methods and theories distinguish (or don’t) fact from interpretation, cause from correlation, and advocacy from objectivity. The directed research topics are derived from the SFS Center’s Research Plan as defined by the Center staff and local stakeholders. Through the Directed Research project, students will contribute to a growing body of scientific research that informs local conservation and resource management decisions. SFS program lecturers lead a small group of students in this research component of the program.

Applicants are encouraged to review the full course syllabi and programs descriptions on the SFS website: Tropical Island Biodiversity Studies – School for Field Studies

To Apply: Submit a cover letter and resume outlining relevant experiences via the online application on the SFS Careers page at https://fieldstudies.catsone.com/careers/

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws: Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA)

Equal Opportunity Employer:

SFS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, creed, caste, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetics, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, ethnic origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.