PRR Project

Summary

The candidate will pursue scientific research activities focused in south-central Africa, in the fields of Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology, Biogeography, Evolution and Genetic Resources. Most of the work is expected to be developed in Angola and other countries in southern and central Africa, in support of various research and conservation initiatives already in place and assisting in the design and development of future programs. In particular, we recognize the need to strengthen and expand the existing network of twin labs, and reinforce the current relationships with local stakeholders, which may benefit greatly from the filling of this research position.The candidate willWork closely with the Board of Directors to assist in implementing, in Angola and other countries of south-central Africa, the BIOPOLIS-InBIO policies and strategy, and improve efficiency of ongoing programsWork closely with local stakeholders, in Angola and other African countries, in strengthening existing partnerships and establishing new ones, by maintaining and exploring further contacts with Government and academic representatives in those countriesMaintain and improve the liaison between BIOPOLIS-InBIO and the network of African twin labs, by visiting the various institutions involved and promoting meetings to support the growth of the twin lab initiativeCoordinate and develop specific research initiatives, in the fields of Biodiversity Conservation, Ecology, Biogeography, Evolution and Genetic Resources, in Angola and other African countries, by conducting various programs which must culminate in publications in scientific journalsSupervise students and other researchers in their projects, within the fields and geographical context of this position, which may include assisting post-doc colleagues and supervising PhD and MSc students enrolled in universities associated with BIOPOLIS and the African network of twin-labsAssist in the identification and recruitment of local students and technical staff in Angola, to be incorporated in the existing research programsConduct extensive field work for data collecting, including to remote areas in Angola and other African countriesMaintain excellent working relationships with leadership of BIOPOLIS, fellow researchers and local stakeholders including state actors and resident communitiesThe candidate should have: i) a PhD in Biology or related sciences; ii) have conducted research and published on African fauna; iii) extensive field work experience in Angola, and good understanding of the local conservation issues and protected area system; iv) solid knowledge on the fields of Wildlife Conservation, Biogeography, Vertebrate Taxonomy and Population Genetics; v) experience in different methodologies of field data collection: camera trapping, radio-tracking, aerial and ground censing of wild populations, handling and marking wild ungulates, non-invasive genetic sampling, and collecting and preserving vouchers; and vi) willingness and preparedness to spend long periods of time in Angola and other countries of south-central Africa, including in remote locations to conduct field work.