Trabaja en conservación de elefantes y su coexistencia con humanos

 Oferta compartida por Cristina

Coexistence Coordinator


Location: Nanyuki or Isiolo

Contract Term: 2 years

Application Deadline: 15th December 2024

Start Date: 1st February 2025 (negotiable)

Training, planning and probation: 2 months

Remuneration: Competitive, with medical insurance

About Us:

Save the Elephants (STE) is a non-profit organization committed to the conservation of African elephants and their habitats, conducting research to better understand their behaviour and ecology, and developing innovative strategies to protect them from threats such as poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and habitat destruction.

The Role:

The Coexistence Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating and implementing human-elephant coexistence (HEC) activities in Samburu and Isiolo counties. The officer will work closely with community members, government agencies, and other stakeholders. You will be based at the Save the Elephants camp in Samburu National Reserve, and report to the Chief Operating Officer with technical input from the Coexistence Director and the Director of Field Operations.

Responsibilities:Conduct regular field visits to identify areas and nature of human elephant conflict in Samburu and Isiolo counties;
Work with communities in these HEC hotspots to identify and implement coexistence toolbox solutions;
Develop and/or update community awareness and coexistence activities in Samburu;
Coordinate with STE’s Rapid Response Units to identify conflict hotspots and recommend toolbox solutions;
Collect coexistence data, monitor and prepare reports and recommendations on implemented toolbox activities;
Assess community proposals for toolbox trials/ implementation and approve grants through a new micro-grants scheme;
Collaborate with the research team to collect data, monitor human-elephant interactions, and contribute to coexistence research;
Facilitate meetings and training to promote community understanding of elephant behaviour, and use of STE’s Coexistence Toolbox;
Liaise with national government (and its relevant ministries), local government and NGOs on strategies to minimize conflicts, especially regarding water resources;
Regularly update and consult with the Director of Operations on ground-level activities and progress.

Who You Are:You have at least three years of professional experience in community engagement in healthcare, education, or conservation.
You hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Natural or Social Sciences, or have substantial relevant experience.
You are fluent in English and Kiswahili; knowledge of Maa is a plus.
You possess strong data collection and analytical skills.
You have a deep understanding of community dynamics and conservation strategies.
You are capable of managing complex projects in challenging environments and are self-motivated with a professional demeanor.

Apply Now:

Are you ready to contribute significantly to elephant conservation? Send your CV, appropriate references and a cover letter detailing your qualifications and motivation to join our team to jobs@savetheelephants.org. Please send your application as one combined PDF with website links to any formal publications or presentations clearly listed in your CV.

Join us in our mission to safeguard the future of elephants through innovative research and committed conservation efforts.

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Cuatro puestos para la Wild Chimpanzee Foundation en Guinea

Esta oferta nos la comparte Laura Martínez-Íñigo en el Biogrupo

Job offer

Elephant Program Manager in Guinea / Sierra Leone 


Biomonitoring expert in Guinea 

Head of Ecological Monitoring Department

Cartographer - Data analyst in Guinea 

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PhD de lo más variado e innovador que mezcla conservación de fauna, teledetección, cambio climático y ecología

Thirsting Giants of the African Savanna: Assessing the vulnerability of Elephant water resources to climate change


African elephants are keystone species, shaping the ecosystems they inhabit. Their survival hinges on access to freshwater sources, making them acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. This PhD project delves into the intricacies of this relationship, exploring the combined effects of climate change on the availability and quality of water that sustains these charismatic megafaunas, and the potential for human-elephant conflict over this critical resource, with both conservation and public health implications. The project breaks new ground by embracing a uniquely multidisciplinary approach, integrating climatology, hydrology, remote sensing, wildlife conservation, movement ecology, and public health. This comprehensive strategy will provide a holistic understanding of how shifting climate dynamics could jeopardize elephants’ access to essential water resources, while also increasing the likelihood of conflict with human populations. The project’s framework comprises distinct yet interconnected components. It commences with an examination of historical climate data, establishing a foundation for understanding climatic trends in key elephant habitats. These insights are then woven into climate models that project future changes under various climate scenarios and the potential for conflict with human populations at key ‘hotspots’ which will be identified using the collected data. Collaborations with conservation organizations and local stakeholders ensure that the project remains anchored in the practical realities of elephant habitat utilization. Ultimately, “Thirsting Giants” merges scientific insight with actionable conservation strategies. By unravelling the complex connections between climate change, water availability, and human interactions the project empowers stakeholders to devise adaptive management plans crucial for safeguarding not only African elephants but also the ecosystems they shape, and the human populations with whom they share the landscape. In confronting the urgent challenges presented by a changing climate, this project stands as a beacon of hope for the future of these awe-inspiring giants of the African landscape.

Eligibility. This project would be suitable for students with a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level, or equivalent, in environmental sciences, geography, or a relevant biological discipline, such as ecology, zoology, conservation biology or animal behaviour. Candidates that have a Masters Degree and/or experience in ecological research are strongly encouraged to apply, as are those with a firm grounding and interest in large herbivore ecology, wildlife conservation and the quantitative analysis of spatial datasets. Although not essential, it would be beneficial for the student to have some experience of using a programming language such as Python, R, or MATLAB, and some familiarity with Arc-GIS mapping software. It will also be an advantage to have good communication skills, a practical attitude, and to be pro-active and self-motivated.

Enquiries. Contact: iestyn.woolway@bangor.ac.uk

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Analista de datos espaciales (GIS, R) para proyectos de conservación de elefantes en Kenya

Save the Elephants (STE) is seeking a Senior Elephant Movement Researcher to lead reporting and research on GPS tracking data in Kenya and across Africa. In this Nairobi-based role, you will supervise the Tracking Analyst, conduct original research on elephant movements (including leading peer-reviewed scientific publications), mentor the Tracking Analyst in movement analysis, spatial data management, statistics, and scientific writing, ensure data quality in the STE Spatial Database, coordinate technical and management-oriented reports, and provide regular updates and presentations.

We require a PhD or equivalent experience, proven animal movement analysis skills, and expertise in supervising GIS work and R coding. Your contribution will drive impactful elephant conservation efforts.

Apply now and be a vital part of Save the Elephants’ mission. All backgrounds are welcome at Save the Elephants!

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Contrato de un año renovable para estudiar el comportamiento de elefantes en Kenya usando drones

Join Save the Elephants (STE) for an exceptional 1 year contract (renewable) as our Drone Project Principal Investigator. You will lead pioneering research into elephant behaviour  and ecosystem monitoring using drone technology,  developing and executing the work program, collecting and analyzing video-based data from field deployments, and leading & contributing to peer-reviewed publications. You’ll be mostly based at our tented field research camp in Samburu, northern Kenya.

To excel in this role, you should possess a PhD or equivalent experience in behavioral science (or equivalent experience), preferably with a proven track record in leading publications and conducting video-based data research. All backgrounds are welcome at Save the Elephants!

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Dos oportunidades llenas de aventuras: en Nepal con elefantes o en Hong Kong con fauna salvaje

Oferta compartida por Cristina


PhD studentships: We have funding for fieldwork with elephants!


PhD Studentships: Competitive application for studentships with funding for fieldwork with Asian elephants or in urban Hong Kong wildlife already in place


I have positions available for students wishing to pursue a PhD in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Hong Kong on 1) behavioural ecology of Asian elephants (field site in Nepal is established and funding for fieldwork in place) or 2) human-wildlife interactions in Hong Kong. See https://www.hannahsmumby.co.uk for details on the group.


Project 1 Asian elephants, co-design of projects on the following topics will be considered:

· Behavioural ecology and experimental approaches to behaviour
 
· Applications linked to living in captivity and/or conservation of wild elephants


Project 2 urban wildlife, co-design of projects on the following topics will be considered:

· Human dimensions of urban wildlife

· Integration of human and animal behaviour into understanding human-wildlife interactions Novel approaches to studying human-wildlife interactions

· Applications linked to feeding, releasing, observing or other interactions with wildlife


Essential requirements:

· An excellent academic track record, including undergraduate degree of a first-class honours degree, or GPA of 3.6 or over. If you are unsure about your eligibility, just email me at hsmumby@hku.hk with an explanation of your grades and rank and a copy of your transcript

· A passion for the general field and your specific topic

· The desire and drive to become an independent researcher

· For Project 1, desire to conduct fieldwork independently in Nepal

· For Project 2, willingness to conduct fieldwork in Hong Kong is essential.

· For both projects, courses at HKU will be requires, as well as teaching assistant hours, therefore it is not possible to complete the PhD remotely


Desirable requirements:

· Field and/or lab experience clearly linked to the topic of your proposal

· Publishing experience

· Master’s degree with a high grade

- For Project 2, Cantonese language skills are highly desirable


The positions are available to start in September 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter. If you are interested in these topics, please contact me at Dr Hannah Mumby hsmumby@hku.hk with a short introductory statement, written ideas for your research plan (which can be further developed later) and CV. I will read and respond to applications as they come in, so get in touch as soon as possible. In the first instance, will consider applications through to 30th September 2022 and later applications may not be supported if I have already selected applicants to support. If selected I can develop a research proposal with you and guide you through the application process for studentships.

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Postdoc: Conservación de leopardos y elefantes en China

In line with the national strategy of “One belt One road & Made in China 2025”, which aims to provide opportunities for people of talent and to support Chinese national strategy, Beijing Forestry University (BFU) announces a post-doc position recruitment notice, with funding support from “Young Foreign Talents Introduction Program”, to attract young people with talent from abroad to conduct high quality academic research in China.

The successful applicant will be based in the Wildlife Institute at Beijing Forestry University (WI-BFU), under the supervision of Professor Shi Kun, director of WI-BFU.

WI-BFU was established in April 2009, with support from the Chinese National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA) and a global network of international experts. The institute was founded with the goal of providing support for wildlife conservation and management within China and internationally. WI-BFU collaborates closely with government offices such as the NFGA, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Environment, in addition to an integrated network within China, it has strong international collaborations, such as its long-term partnership with the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, Rocky Mountain Research Center, US Forest Service, WWF, IUCN and Panthera. Strong collaborations with colleges within BFU (such as the College of Nature Conservation) as well as universities across China, allow it to maintain a strong academic foundation and carry out interdisciplinary scientific research in fields such as wildlife ecology, evolution, conservation, and sustainable wildlife management. Through undertaking collaborative research, academic exchanges, and mutual cultivation of postgraduate students, it has strengthened its international status and furthered its development as a leading wildlife research group in China. In the last five years WI-BFU has conducted more than 30 projects and published over 30 papers relating to conservation of endangered feline species, particularly snow leopard, in international journals, such as Biological Conservation, Ecography, PLoS ONE, Science of the Total Environment, and Oryx.

Dr. Kun Shi is a professor at the Beijing Forestry University and director of WI-BFU. He is the Secretary General of two key organizations in China, the China Snow Leopard Expert Committee under NFGA, and the China Cats Specialist Group under the China Zoological Society. He is also a member of the IUCN Cat Specialist Group and World Committee of Protected Areas. He established a forefront Snow Leopard Group in China (SLG) in 2007. This group, composed of enthusiastic and dedicated young conservationists, has focused on researching snow leopard ecology and conservation. It has adopted methods such as sign surveys, camera trapping, DNA analysis, and GIS technology to explore snow leopard research in China, a previously little-researched field. The group mainly works in prioritized snow leopard range in China, covering the eastern Pamirs, west margin of Tianshan, Everest, middle Minshan, and middle and western parts of the Qilian Mountains. They have made remarkable progress in identification of snow leopards distribution, evaluating abundance, conducting dietary analysis, exploring habitat preference, and understanding human-snow leopard conflict in China. The group has published these findings in a range of Chinese and international journals, and have also produced a variety of scientific reports and guidelines for the central government.

Since 2010, Kun's research team has been collaborating with Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit to implement the Darwin Initiative project "Capacity Building on Feline Conservation in China". They have also worked together since 2012 on a Robertson Foundation supported project on snow leopard conservation and research in China. Currently, they have trained more than 500 local research and monitoring staff in snow leopard and tiger distribution areas, and have established "China Feline Conservation and Monitoring Network" as well as conducted frontier research on snow leopard in Gansu, Northwest China. With the support and guidance of NFGA, they drafted the National China Snow Leopard Conservation Action Plan, which aims to provide guidance for the following 10 years’ snow leopard conservation in China; this draft has been reviewed and approved by NFGA. Through the contributions made to original research over the last decade, his team and institution has gained recognition and trust from NFGA, donors, collaborators and peer institutions. In conclusion, Dr. Shi Kun is leading his team towards making a difference through original research to help solve problems in academic and applied aspects in order to benefit wildlife, nature, and human beings, as well as promote the development of wildlife conservation in China.

The WI-BFU offers a vibrant research environment that covers interinstitutional collaborations, interdisciplinary supervision, additional training courses (e.g. workshops and seminars organized by peers) as well as soft skills training.

Successful applicants will be provided opportunities to participate in and/or lead frontline projects on endangered and representative species (such as snow leopard, leopard, Asian elephant) conservation in China, get involved in high level policy-making with science-based evidence, leading a team with enthusiastic like-minded talents and making contributions to wildlife conservation.

Research fields

Research fields will mainly cover but are not limited to the following four aspects:

Ecology and landscape genetics of snow leopard in high plateau desert ecosystems; Landscape genetics of Asian elephants in tropical forest ecosystem and management of human-wildlife conflicts; Landscape genetics identifying subspecies divergence of leopards in China; Ecosystem service and management of National Park system in China.

Eligibility

The applicant, at the time of appointment, should have obtained a PhD degree, show strong interdisciplinary skills and independent research experience in at least one of the following fields: Ecology, Biology, Zoology, Geography, Environmental Science, Earth Sciences, Social Sciences, or related fields, and from universities out of China within the past year. The applicant should be under 35 years of age and in a good state of health. The applicant should be from countries which have established diplomatic relations with China. · The applicant must be available for full time up to two years (or minimum 20 months) to conduct the post-doc research in China.

· If the applicant is from a non-English speaking county, he/she should have good Chinese or English language skills including listening, speaking, reading and writing.

· The applicant must have excellent or fluent English proficiency in communication and academic writing.

· Minimum of two publications in above related fields in international per-reviewed journals as first author are required; publications in high impact journals will be given priority to.

· Applicant should have a cooperative spirit and be committed to teamwork.

Duration and Financial Support

· The funding for this two years’ program is 200,000 RMB per year, (400,000 in total), will cover the applicant’s salary, basis insurance, accommodation and travel expenses of a return trip in the most direct and economic way between the two places concerned, visa application fee and incidental expenses if any.

· The applicant is expected to arrive in BFU, starting his/ her postdoc position in early summer of 2019.

Mode of Application

Please prepare the following documents and zip all of the application documents into one file, either in Microsoft word or pdf format, and title it “Name of applicant_BFU_postdoc application”, and sent to kunshi@bjfu.edu.cn, CC guoliangpan1989@163.com, chying0621@sina.com. Priority will be given to candidates with research or working experience relating to endangered mammal species such as snow leopard, leopard, and Asian elephant.

· A detailed curriculum vitae with education background, research and/or working experience, and list of publications;

· A statement of research interests or cover letter;

· A proposal giving details of the study or research to be undertaken; his/her general interests;

· Contact details of three referees (Name, Affiliated Institution, email, phones etc.), who could judge the applicant’s academic performance.

· Key published papers, books, awards obtained etc.

Deadline

30th March, 2019

Enquiries

Please contact Pan Guoliang (guoliangpan1989@163.com) or Chen Ying (chying0621@sina.com) or Professor Shi Kun at kunshi@bjfu.edu.cn, office phone at (86) 6233 6860 or mobile phone at (86)139 1009 3750 for any enquiries.

Supporting documents
Job supporting document

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Voluntariado: Ecología y comportamiento de elefantes de selva africanos (Gabón)

#Nota de F: Puede parecer un voluntariado interesante y exótico, pero son muchos meses! Piénsatelo bien y habla con el laboratorio para buscar becas complementarias. Como ya he dicho otras veces, este tipo de "ofertas" es sólo rentable si ya no puedes pagar el alquiler y estás harto de poner copas! Si es así, mete tus cosas en cajas y vete a la selva unos meses!

Job Title: Team Leader - Forest Elephant Behavioral Ecology Project

Location: Gabon

Duration: 12-15 months

Job Description:
The Poulsen Lab at Duke University is looking for three enthusiastic, motivated volunteer team leaders to manage research teams, collect and process scientific data as part of the Forest Elephant Behavioral Ecology Project. This project studies 34 forest elephants fitted with GPS collars.  The research focuses on tracking elephants from a distance to study their diet, movement and social behavior.  Each team will collect plants for chemical analysis, fecal samples for genetic analysis and record habitat variables, phenology and weather.  Team leaders will
also be responsible for monthly reporting of activities and expenditures.

While working in the challenging tropical forest environment, candidates
will be rewarded with the opportunity to observe animal species in their
natural habitats. Candidates will learn about tropical ecology, botany,
natural history, and conservation biology, as well as what it takes to
organize field projects in Central Africa.

Responsibilities:
- Hiring, training and managing two Gabonese field assistants.
- Tracking and collecting field data on GPS collared elephants.
- Collecting, storing and potentially exporting ecological samples.
- Working with collaborators in French-speaking Gabon.
- Reporting regularly to Duke and Gabonese government collaborators.

Qualifications:
Applicants must hold an undergraduate or graduate degree in biology,
ecology or a wildlife-related field.  Candidates must be independent,
reliable and responsible with the ability to work in challenging
environments.  A successful candidate will thrive in small team settings
and work across cultures.  Gabon is a French-speaking country and team
leaders will be required to communicate primarily in this language.
Candidates with previous experience in the tropics, especially Africa
will be given preference.

Physical Requirements:
Elephants often occur in extremely remote and challenging habitats,
including swamps and mountainous terrain. Candidates must be able to
hike from 6-25 km (3-15 miles) daily in hot, muggy and even rainy
weather, while carrying a heavy backpack of camping and research
equipment. Research expeditions may entail camping in a tent for more
than a week at a time.

Support Provided:
- Food and lodging at the field site
- Visa fees
- Work-related travel within country
- Round trip airline travel to Gabon will be reimbursed at completion of
a successful term of work
- Field equipment necessary for camping and conducting research

Candidates are required to cover:
- Medical and evacuation insurance
- All vaccinations required for the country prior to departure

To Apply:
Interested applicants may send a CV and cover letter to:
 amelia.meier at duke.edu with the subject line "(candidate's last name)
- Team Leader Position.”

If your application is short-listed, you will be required to provide 2
letters of reference (this can also be submitted with the initial
application email if desired).  Skype interviews will be held after
reviewing the letter of reference. A portion of the interview will be in
French.

To read more about the Poulsen Lab and what we do visit:
http://www.poulsenlabduke.com/

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Oferta de doctorado estudiando interacciones entre elefantes, hormigas y árboles (Kenya / USA)

We are seeking a PhD student to develop dissertation research in collaboration with an NSF-funded project to understand how elephant browsing is compounding the negative effects of an invasive ant on trees in Laikipia, Kenya. In this region, native mutualist ants defend the dominant tree Acacia drepanolobium from browsing by elephants. The invasive big-headed ant is disrupting this mutualism by killing native ant species, leaving the trees undefended against the destructive effects of elephants -- which can destroy whole trees -- and other wild browsers. Invasive ants may also be having negative impacts on trees, independent of browsing. We are interested in the consequences of invasive ant-elephant interactions for savanna dynamics, particularly as they relate to tree cover and demography, and habitat use by wild and domestic ungulates.

Desired qualifications of the PhD student: (1) research experience (preferably an MSc) in ecology, wildlife biology, or a similar field; (2) demonstrated abilities in writing, oral communication, and statistical skills; (3) demonstrated ability in GIS and/or remote-sensing skills, or a strong desire to learn; (4) demonstrated ability in demographic modeling, or a strong desire to learn; (5) intellectual creativity and self-motivation to conceive, design, and implement dissertation work largely independently and in remote field conditions; and (6) demonstrated ability in communicating with rural landowners and other stakeholders.

The PhD student will be co-advised by Dr. Jake Goheen (http://goheenresearchgroup.com/) and Dr. Corinna Riginos (http://www.corinnariginos.com/) at the University of Wyoming. Field research will entail 4-8 months per year for four years at the Mpala Conservancy and Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, Kenya.

To apply for this position, please send a single pdf attachment (file name formatted as lastname_firstname_phd_date.pdf) to jgoheen@uwyo.edu containing (1) a cover letter/statement of interest; (2) a CV; (3) copies of undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (4) copies of GRE scores; and (5) contact information for three references. Please use the subject header “PhD assistantship application”. Review of applications will begin 20 August 2016. We expect the student will commence graduate studies in Spring 2017.


***************************
Corinna Riginos, Ph.D.
Research Ecologist
http://www.corinnariginos.com
phone: 307-413-2280

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Elephant research in Tanzania

Research assistants are needed to participate on a PhD research project on human-elephant conflict near Ruaha National Park, Tanzania. Responsibilities will vary according to the skills and interests of each applicant but will likely involve accompanying local villagers into the National Park and using various techniques, including surveys, to help measure the effects of these visits on local peoples’ perceptions of wildlife, and of elephants in particular. Some opportunistic data will also be collected on the behavioral ecology of elephants in the field. Additionally, opportunities to conduct independent research may be available; Ruaha National Park contains a vast array of flora and fauna, including the continent’s third largest population of wild dogs.

This work represents a unique opportunity to gain invaluable experience living and working in rural East Africa on an elephant research and conservation project. The investigator intends to establish a long-term project in the area aimed at applying research findings to conservation, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation work. Thus, research assistants who work on the project during this time will have the opportunity to directly influence the development and initial success of this undertaking.

Unfortunately, no funding currently exists to support research assistants, so a program fee of $320 per week will be required to cover program costs as well as your accommodation, local transportation, visits to the park, and food in the field. Please wait to submit your application materials until you are sure of your ability to cover these costs. You will also be responsible for your own airfare to and from Tanzania, as well as medical insurance and vaccinations. Because of the remoteness of the field site and the time it takes to acclimate to the region and the work, a minimum commitment of 6 weeks will be required, with preference given to those who can make longer commitments. Applications for those available to work between September 2011 and August 2012 are now being accepted; positions will be filled as suitable applicants are found.

Field/work conditions:
Field conditions at this site can be very challenging, with frequent exposure to poisonous snakes and crocodiles, daily temperatures frequently exceeding 90°F, and shared living quarters being cramped and very basic (ie: no running water, very basic food, and limited electricity available only to power field equipment). Research assistants on this project face and overcome unforeseen challenges, both large and small, on a daily basis. These include frequent vehicle break-downs, charging elephants, malfunctioning field equipment, and work schedules that are dependent upon the constantly shifting availability of village leaders and local park authorities. Despite the availability of local translators, the strong language barrier can also be very challenging. All of these conditions must be reconciled with the challenge of successfully completing the work, as scheduled, on a monthly basis. These challenges should not be under-estimated, but it should also be noted that most volunteers who work on the project find that they don’t want to leave!

Qualifications:
A particular type of personality is best suited for this type of work, therefore you must have the following qualities: positive attitude, flexible, resourceful, personable, intellectually curious, conscientious, patient, able to work and problem solve independently but also work as part of a team … and a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either!

Required qualifications:
- Interest in wildlife conservation
- Interest in and respect for different cultures
- Fluency in English, both written and spoken
- Comfortable living in remote areas under very basic living conditions

Strongly preferred:
- Experience traveling or working internationally, preferably in a developing nation
- Some kind of field research experience

Preferred but not necessary:
- Knowledge of cars, particularly diesel engines
- Some knowledge of Kiswahili


To apply:
Send a resume, the contact information for 3 references, and cover letter detailing how you meet the qualifications listed above, the reason you are interested in this position, and the time commitment you can make (including rough dates of your availability) to:

Sarah Maisonneuve
Email: smais@nrel.colostate.edu
www.thewildlifeconnection.org


--
Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory
Colorado State University
Campus Delivery 1499
Fort Collins , CO 80523
Phone: (970) 491-1604
Fax: (970) 491-1965

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