IUCN Red List Assessments for Butterflies (Part-Time/6 Months)

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct.

The Indicators and Assessments Unit at the Zoological Society of London is offering an excellent opportunity to gain experience with one of the UK’s leading conservation research organisations. The volunteers will have the opportunity to join the group assisting with the drafting of IUCN Red List assessments for butterflies. 

The Indicators and Assessments Unit (IAU) has been running the Sampled Red List Index (SRLI) project for a number of years, producing IUCN Red List assessments for a number of lesser-known species such as reptiles, freshwater molluscs and dung beetles. The current focus is on butterflies as the IAU hosts the IUCN SSC Butterfly Red List Authority. In addition to the ongoing assessments for the SRLI butterfly project, we are managing a project to assess the world's swallowtail butterflies, in conjunction with the IUCN SSC Butterfly Specialist Group and butterfly experts from around the world. Currently focusing on Indomalayan species, the work will eventually ensure that all of the 550+ species of swallowtails feature on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The volunteers will contribute to the data collection on distribution, population, habitat and ecology, threats and conservation actions for butterflies. The project will focus on swallowtails from across the globe, specifically the Nearctic, Australasia and the Palearctic, as well as species covered in the Sampled Red List Index project.

The volunteer will help to produce:

• Draft IUCN Red List assessments from the information gathered
• Produce species distribution maps in GIS software
• Communicate with species' experts to validate the draft assessments 
• Help with communication about the project and our ongoing efforts

What we are looking for:

We are seeking individuals with enthusiasm for nature, attention to detail and good communication skills to help with the process of drafting IUCN Red List assessments.

The terms for this volunteering opportunity are flexible and will be agreed with the volunteer after the interviews. The role is ideally for a maximum of three days per week for up to six months, starting on or after the 6th May. Given the required training in IUCN Red List methodology, we ask that volunteers be flexible to attend set training days. 

Please note that this is a voluntary position. This internship is offered on a voluntary basis, although lunch (£5 per day attending) and travel expenses (up to equivalent to a daily travel card within zones 1-6 for each day attending) will be reimbursed. 

In this role, the voluntary intern will benefit from:

• Gaining an understanding of global conservation issues.
• Receiving training in the application of IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria.
• ArcGIS, QGIS training and other training on spatial data handling relevant to IUCN Red List assessments.
• Guidance from both researchers and supervisors on scientific writing and the use of social media to communicate science.
• Opportunities to network with researchers within and outside ZSL.
• Additional learning opportunities that are available through weekly research seminars, lab meetings and conservation and research talks.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button on the ZSL website. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

• The CV should be up to date and include at least two referees with e-mail addresses.
• The covering letter should explain why you would like to volunteer with the project.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Friday 12th April 2019

 The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.