Research Assistant

A Research Assistant is required for a joint position between the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the IUCN’s Biodiversity and Protected Area task force (IUCN), supporting the work of the Indicators and Assessments Unit.  The remit of the Unit is to develop the conservation science behind defining the status and trends of biodiversity, in particular in response to global initiatives such as the Convention on Biological Diversity Aichi Target.  This project will involve a new collaboration between ZSL and IUCN looking at wildlife trends in and around protected areas. 

The successful applicant will work with Dr Ben Collen and Dr Stephen Woodley, representatives from IUCN and a network of species experts to gather wildlife population time series data on species in and around protected areas.  The information will be integrated into an existing database, and made available to the working group.  The successful applicant will manage the collection and handling of data, help to produce a number of publications evaluating the geographic and biological components of declining trends across groups.  This will include producing detailed reports as well as reporting for funding commitments, potentially organising workshops and coordinating and liaising with species expert networks. Note that this position will be formally employed by IUCN, but practically working in the offices of the Zoological Society of London.  The position is funded by and aims to support the IUCN’s BIOPAMA project.

Candidates are expected to have a relevant degree at MSc level or above, substantial experience of ecological or conservation science, and the excellent communication skills needed to co-ordinate data collection with stakeholders and an expert network.  Analytical skills and a proven track record of scientific writing are desirable.  Experience with MS Access, SQL and online databases would be an advantage.

A job description can be found on www.zsl.org/jobs.

Applications should include a covering letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and full contact details of two referees. For informal enquiries, contact Dr Ben Collen (ben.collen@ioz.ac.uk ).  This position is for 12 months initially, with potential for renewal if funding is secured. We would like the successful candidate to start as soon as possible. 

Please see: http://www.zsl.org/indicators;  http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/wcpa_what/wcpa_science/biodiversity_and_protected_areas/ and http://www.iucn.org/about/union/commissions/wcpa/?9567/BIOPAMA--boosting-capacity-for-protected-areas-in-Africa-the-Caribbean-and-the-Pacific

To apply, please send a full CV and covering letter, with details of two referees, to: ZSL, HR Department, Regent’s Park, LondonNW1 4RY (or e-mail your application to hr@zsl.org) by Friday, 22^th July 2012