WWF funded project on biome health: 1 postdoc & 2 PGRA positions available
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures.
We are now looking for a postdoc and two post graduate research assistants to contribute to the research. Please get in touch with Ben if you have any questions about the project or any of the roles. A file at the end of this section gives an overview of the project. Applications for the post doc will close on the 9th November 2017, the two PGRA positions close on the 31st October 2017.
The project: In collaboration with national WWF offices and local partner organisations, we will develop and implement four complementary field research projects in four different biomes. Each biome differs in the pressures to biodiversity and in the species level responses to those pressures. By monitoring biome appropriate metrics of biodiversity (our measure of biome health) for each field project across a number of sites with varying levels of human pressure and where conservation efforts are underway, we will quantify the relationship between pressure, response and solution for each biome.
While metrics of biodiversity vary between biomes the underlying design of each field project is the same – sampling biodiversity along a gradient of pressure and solutions. This design is highly flexible and conceptually can be reproduced for different biomes and response metrics, making the study scalable. The project will provide a unique and continuing resource for research and for the public communication of evidence-based solutions to help halt the loss of biodiversity.
All positions will be based at UCL, in the Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research (CBER), which is part of the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment. There will be significant time spent on fieldwork for each position. Day-to-day, CBER hosts a thriving group of PhD students, post docs, post doc fellows and academic staff undertaking research at the interface between biodiversity and environmental change. We are actively engaged in communicating new research and relating findings to policy.
Post doc position
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures. The post holder will be an active member of the research team helping to oversee work at four fieldsites, contributing to the development of research projects, experimental design, data collection and analyses and manuscript preparation. The post-holder will be expected to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area.
The successful candidate must hold a PhD degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology or other relevant subject area. Demonstrated experience of design, undertaking and running field research, and subsequent publication of research. Dealing with multiple partner organisations and stakeholders.
Post grad positions (x2)
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures. The post holders will be active members of the research team, and will spend 6 months per year in the field (Nepal or Kenya) collecting data, and 6 months in London, processing data and writing up. The post-holders will be expected to work independently, and contribute to publications from the research.
The successful candidates must hold a Masters degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology or other relevant subject area. Demonstrated experience of undertaking field research, and maintaining high standards of data collection. Experience of camera trap-based data collection. Dealing with multiple partner organisations and stakeholders in a research setting.
To apply for the post doc position, go to the HR link here.
To apply for the post grad positions, go to the HR link here.
For all positions, the file below details an overview of the projects
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures.
We are now looking for a postdoc and two post graduate research assistants to contribute to the research. Please get in touch with Ben if you have any questions about the project or any of the roles. A file at the end of this section gives an overview of the project. Applications for the post doc will close on the 9th November 2017, the two PGRA positions close on the 31st October 2017.
The project: In collaboration with national WWF offices and local partner organisations, we will develop and implement four complementary field research projects in four different biomes. Each biome differs in the pressures to biodiversity and in the species level responses to those pressures. By monitoring biome appropriate metrics of biodiversity (our measure of biome health) for each field project across a number of sites with varying levels of human pressure and where conservation efforts are underway, we will quantify the relationship between pressure, response and solution for each biome.
While metrics of biodiversity vary between biomes the underlying design of each field project is the same – sampling biodiversity along a gradient of pressure and solutions. This design is highly flexible and conceptually can be reproduced for different biomes and response metrics, making the study scalable. The project will provide a unique and continuing resource for research and for the public communication of evidence-based solutions to help halt the loss of biodiversity.
All positions will be based at UCL, in the Centre for Biodiversity & Environment Research (CBER), which is part of the Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment. There will be significant time spent on fieldwork for each position. Day-to-day, CBER hosts a thriving group of PhD students, post docs, post doc fellows and academic staff undertaking research at the interface between biodiversity and environmental change. We are actively engaged in communicating new research and relating findings to policy.
Post doc position
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures. The post holder will be an active member of the research team helping to oversee work at four fieldsites, contributing to the development of research projects, experimental design, data collection and analyses and manuscript preparation. The post-holder will be expected to produce independent, original contributions to the subject area.
The successful candidate must hold a PhD degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology or other relevant subject area. Demonstrated experience of design, undertaking and running field research, and subsequent publication of research. Dealing with multiple partner organisations and stakeholders.
Post grad positions (x2)
The aim of the Biome Health Research Project is to develop a field-based study system that provides new evidence on how biodiversity responds to human pressures and how conservation interventions can be utilised to reduce the impacts of these pressures. The post holders will be active members of the research team, and will spend 6 months per year in the field (Nepal or Kenya) collecting data, and 6 months in London, processing data and writing up. The post-holders will be expected to work independently, and contribute to publications from the research.
The successful candidates must hold a Masters degree in Conservation Biology, Ecology or other relevant subject area. Demonstrated experience of undertaking field research, and maintaining high standards of data collection. Experience of camera trap-based data collection. Dealing with multiple partner organisations and stakeholders in a research setting.
To apply for the post doc position, go to the HR link here.
To apply for the post grad positions, go to the HR link here.
For all positions, the file below details an overview of the projects
| biome_health_field_project_overview.pdf |
PhD studentships
We're always interested in working with good PhD students. If you're interested in devising your own studentship application, you might consider the following schemes:
We're always interested in working with good PhD students. If you're interested in devising your own studentship application, you might consider the following schemes:
- The London NERC Doctoral Training Partnership brings together nine of the world’s leading research centres in environmental science. Please apply through the London NERC DTP website.
- UCL Graduate Research Scholarship (these are highly competitive)
- For outstanding students from the Commonwealth, Commonwealth Scholarships
Post-doc and Fellowship opportunities
We're particularly interested in developing collaborations and providing support for post-doc Fellowship applications. Please contact Ben well in advance of the deadline to discuss project ideas.
We're particularly interested in developing collaborations and providing support for post-doc Fellowship applications. Please contact Ben well in advance of the deadline to discuss project ideas.