Post-doctoral fellowship at the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town
Vacancy: ABAX FOUNDATION POST DOCTORAL RESEARCH FELLOW
Closing date: 18th Feb 2022
Role: Spatial analysis of raptor movement data
We invite applications for a full-time post-doctoral research fellowship at the FitzPatrick Institute, a world-renowned ornithological research institute with a strong emphasis on postgraduate studies. The FitzPatrick Institute is within the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Cape Town.
The successful applicant will join the Raptor Research Group to analyse existing data on the movement ecology of African raptors to improve our understanding of conservation requirements and making recommendations to further raptor conservation nationally. The candidate will be supported and supervised by Associate Professor Arjun Amar and the research will be carried out in close collaboration with Dr Megan Murgatroyd from HawkWatch International. A large database of tracking data from several species of raptors are available for this project and we require an experienced individual to undertake spatial analyses of these data and prepare the findings for publication in high ranking peer-reviewed journals. There will be additional opportunities for field work.
Qualifications, experience, and skill criteria:
Required:
• A relevant PhD, awarded within the previous five years
• Applicants must not have held previous full-time permanent professional or academic posts
• Expertise in spatial analyses, movement ecology and handling large spatial datasets
• Expertise in R and GIS
• Excellent organizational capability and ability to meet deadlines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Demonstrated ability to write publications for peer-reviewed journals
Desirable:
• Experience attaching transmitter devices to large birds
• Experience using Github and specific R packages; R Shiny, R markdown
Value and tenure
• The fellowship is funded at R275 000 per year (tax free).
• The position is for 2 years, depending on performance – reviewed at 6 months and 12 month intervals.
• Additional project running costs are available, inclusive of the opportunity to present results at a relevant conference.
Conditions of award
•The successful applicant will be required to register as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Cape Town and will be expected to commence the required research at a mutually agreed date that is ideally no later than the end of May 2022.
•The successful applicant will be required to comply with UCT’s policies, procedures and practices for the postdoctoral sector.
Application procedure
To apply, please send a CV (including your academic record & names and contact details of two referees) and a short motivation letter to Hilary Buchanan at [email protected] (subject ‘your surname’ and ‘Raptor PDRF’). Informal enquires can be directed to A/Prof. Arjun Amar: [email protected].
Selection process
• Only eligible and complete applications will be considered by the selection committee.
• If you have not heard within one month of the deadline, please assume your application has been unsuccessful.
• Interviews of short-listed candidates are likely to take place in March 2022 and the successful candidate is expected to start as soon as possible thereafter.
Candidates from historically disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply
Closing date: 18th Feb 2022
UCT is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity and redress. UCT reserves the right to disqualify ineligible, incomplete and/or inappropriate applications, and reserves the right to change the conditions of award or to make no awards at all.
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