Scientist in Plant Ecology and Conservation

The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands

is recruiting a Scientist in Plant Ecology and Conservation

Deadline for application: 30^st March 2022

Duration: Two years (possibility of renewal)

Title: Scientist in Plant Ecology and Conservation 

Introduction

One of the current research projects conducted by Charles Darwin Foundation for Galapagos Islands (CDF), is Galapagos Verde 2050 (GV2050). This is a long-term adaptive management-based initiative dedicated to terrestrial restoration and sustainability of agriculture. At doing so, we a) promote ecological restoration of degraded areas and conservation of endangered plant species by utilizing water-saving technologies, and b) promote sustainable agricultural practices among local farmers. Both components leverage the usage of large-scale experimental design that evaluate water-saving technologies as novel tools that increase the efficient usage of water in arid climates such as the Galapagos. These two components address the effects of habitat degradation, invasive species, and climate change and promote sustainable livelihoods in Galapagos.

As a continuation of this research initiative, CDF is recruiting a Terrestrial Restauration, expert, ecologist, and plant conservation professional, for the GV2050 project.

This professional will be committed to the conservation of the terrestrial ecosystems of Galapagos by building an exceptional research program in both, ecosystem restoration in the Galapagos National Park and sustainable agriculture in inhabited areas. By doing so, the project contributes to the conservation of the protected areas and the maintenance of sustainable local livelihoods in the Galapagos Islands.

Position objective

The early career professional to be hired will primarily be responsible to assist the Project Leader for overseeing the development of the ecological restoration component of this project, yet other responsibilities will include support to the sustainable agriculture component. Through their background in applied terrestrial ecology, the successful candidate will have the ability to reconcile experimental design, experimentation, implementation, data analysis, scientific writing, stakeholder relations, and the delicate balance among these goals.

Required profile

• PhD (or equivalent Doctor Degree) in Ecology, Conservation Biology or related field, with research experience in both, pure and applied science, such as ecological restoration. Preferably with experience in plant conservation, restoration ecology, biostatistics and botany.
• Experience and knowledge in ‘ R’ for data management, analysis, and visualization. Knowledge of or willingness to learn R Shiny for maintaining and building online applications in R, used for managing and visualizing project data.
• Experience with ecological, climatological, and cost-benefit analysis, including methods such
  as mixed-model regression, Bayesian, and multivariate analysis. Experience with other design software such as Adobe CS is a plus
• Physicalconditions and ability to endure harsh field conditions and to maintain a cheerful attitude in remote sites that includes but is not limited to intense heat, hard physical labor, mosquitos or other insects, thorns and spines, no internet access, and difficult boating conditions. Field trips may last for one day to more than a week and successful applicants must feel comfortable with camping and at doing significant physical effort, such as carrying and unloading heavy items and walking long distances whilst carrying personal items, camping equipment, water and food.

• Experience analysing climate data, as well as modelling ecosystem restoration, ecosystem services, carbon sequestration, and cost-benefit projections.
• Experience with experimental design, power analysis, and overall research project design demonstrated by at least two peer-reviewed scientific publications, with at least one first author publication in which the research, writing, and analyses were completed primarily by the applicant.
• Previous experience in related projects and fieldwork (biodiversity monitoring, ecological restoration, sustainable agriculture, etc).
• Fluent (proficient level) in English with strong oral and written communication skills, and demonstrated ability to publish scientific articles, produce technical reports, and writing grant proposals. Ability to communicate with the general public is desired. Advanced level in Spanish language is required.

• Ability to endure harsh field conditions and maintain a cheerful attitude in remote sites that includes but is not limited to intense heat, hard physical labor, mosquitos or other insects, thorns and spines, no internet access, and difficult boating conditions. Field trips may last for one day to more than a week and successful applicants must feel comfortable with camping and significant physical efforts, such as carrying and unloading heavy items and walking long distances whilst carrying personal items, camping equipment, water and food.
• Experience teaching and running workshops. Ability for public speaking (on both English and Spanish) is needed.
• Capacity to work as both part of a multi-cultural team, but also independently without requiring continuous oversight.

Activities

The selected candidate will report directly to the Principal Investigator (PI), leader of the GV2050 project. Throughout the duration of this position, the selected candidate will also work directly with the PI and the other members and volunteers of the GV2050 team. He/she will also interact with members of scientific teams of other projects at CDF. Other work may be required as directed by institutional or project objectives. The following are the primary activities for which the selected candidate will be responsible.

1.     Designing research experiments and methodologies usage for all the project components and subprojects in collaboration with the project leader and rest of the team.

2.     Conducting and assisting in data analyses on the cost-benefits and efficacy of the usage of water-saving technologies, which are used for the main project components (i.e. ecological restoration and sustainable agricultural practices).

3.     Managing and maintaining project datasets with R and R-Shiny

4.     Design and create illustrations, infographics, data visualizations both for scientific purposes, but also for communicating our findings to stakeholders and the broader public informative and materials based on results from both project components (ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture).

5.     Present results/analyses/updates of the research to the team, as well as to local and national public, at scientific conferences and other related-public events.

6.     Publishing scientific manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals. Expected to publish one and submit one peer-reviewed publication within the two years’ term of work, as first author, co- authored with the Galapagos Verde 2050 Project's Principal Investigator-Leader and other team members who participate in the research, according to the customary practices at scientific writing

7.     Write technical and scientific progress or advance reports (in English or Spanish) or infographics and oral presentations about the project results for private and public collaborating institutions, stakeholders and donors.

8.     Help with fieldwork on local and remote islands when needed, especially when planning and establishing new experiments and studies.

9.     Advise other team members on experimental designs and overall scientific component of the project.

10.  Provide assistance in all other activities that the GV2050 PI needs, as required for project advancement, focusing on strengthening all aspects of the project, and according to institutional goals.

Employment conditions:

The ecologist will be a full-time staff of the Charles Darwin Foundation, working under a “Employment contract by line of business” arrangement. They will directly report to the Galapagos Verde 2050 Project's Principal Investigator- Leader. The selected candidate will be based at the Charles Darwin Research Station (CDRS) on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. An Employment contract by line of business contracted by the Charles Darwin Foundation does not imply a continuous relationship for a duration longer than stated within the contract.

The ecologist is expected to work 40 hours a week from 07:45-12:30 and 14:00-17:15. Due to certain project activities, however, such as field trips, this schedule may be changed.

The ecologist will work according to the regulations and Manual of Procedures of the CDF, and will complete their field work strictly following the rules and regulations of the Galapagos National Park Directory (GNPD).

How to apply:

Applicants should submit the following documents via e-mail to: ( gv2050@fcdarwin.org.ec; , patricia.jaramillo@fcdarwin.org.ec).

• Updated resume/CV.

• A letter of interest, describing your competencies according to the minimum requirements for the announced position.
• Three professional letters of reference, including the names and email addresses of referees.
• Name and email addresses of two other references that can be contacted for further inquiry.