The WildCRU is eager to welcome new colleagues in various roles. Any available DPhil posts or field assistant positions will be advertised here as and when they occur.

Occasionally we need volunteer field workers. Our experience has been that most of our volunteers have been successful in using us as a stepping stone to career advancement.

If you wish to be considered in this context the first step is to complete the questionnaire form.

ADMINSTRATIVE ASSISTANT

The Department of Zoology invites applications for the position of an experienced Administrative Assistant in the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) of Professor David Macdonald. This is a fixed term post of 1 year in the first instance.

The successful candidate will provide financial and general administrative support to the day to day running of the WildCRU centre, Tubney House and the WildCRU staff. The appointee will report directly to Prof Macdonald or in his absence, Dr Dawn Burnham.We are looking for a focused individual who is computer literate, with excellent office and organisation skills as well as attention to detail in their work. You will be able to organise your day and prioritise your work for this busy research group. Crucially, you will be a team player, and willing to learn new skills. Closing date for applications 16th May 2008, interviews week commencing 19th May 2008, start date on or before 2nd June 2008.

Further particulars can be downloaded from the Department of Zoology website (http://www.zoo.ox.ac.uk/jobs/adverts/at08022.pdf) or are available from the Personnel Office, Department of Zoology, Tinbergen Building, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PS or email recruit@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Applications, together with contact details of two referees, should be sent to the Personnel Office at the above address quoting reference number AT08022.

Pembroke College invites applications for the Kaplan Prize Scholarship (KPS) a four-year doctoral scholarship in Felid Conservation based at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU).  The successful candidate is likely to be a recent graduate or final year student with either a Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant scientific discipline.  The KPS appointee will be a first class scientist expected to develop an outstanding academic career on the world stage.  The Scholarship begins in Michaelmas term (October) 2008 and the award includes full fees and maintenance at the level of UK research council studentships, but extending over 4 years and complemented by up to £30,000 of research funding.

This scholarship is open to graduates eligible to start a research degree in Zoology at Oxford University starting in 2008.

To apply please complete the University application form (available from: www.admin.ox.ac.uk/gsp/) and include two references from academic referees (follow procedure in Booklet A).  Please submit two copies of the application forms and all supporting material to the Graduate Administrator, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford,  South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PS by the 16th May 2008 (please DO NOT apply online and do NOT send to the address detailed on the application form).

For additional information about Panthera visit www.panthera-foundation.org; for Pembroke College visit www.pmb.ox.ac.uk and for the Department of Zoology visit www.zoo.ox.ac.uk.

The University of Oxford is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

For further details click here.

Kaplan Senior Research Fellowship

The governing body of Pembroke College invites applications for the five-year Kaplan Senior Research Fellowship (KSRF) in Felid Biology or Conservation, based at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU) of the Department of Zoology. We envisage an early career scientist with an international research reputation, reflected in an accomplished publication and grant funding history. The successful candidate will establish a research project of the highest academic standard, resonating with WildCRUs existing research strategy. This prestigious Fellowship offers an opportunity to work with acclaimed academics, driving forward original directions in Felid research, whilst developing a career as a leading world expert. The KSRF begins in Michaelmas term (October) 2008 and is paid on the University of Oxford's post doctoral research scale (Grade 8, starting at 08S.01, £33,779 depending on qualifications).

Applications should be sent to the Academic Registrar, Pembroke College, Oxford, OX1 1DW by 16th May 2008.   There is no specific application form but applicants should send three copies of the following:  a full CV, a list of publications, a statement of proposed research and a covering letter. The application should be supported by confidential letters from three referees submitted directly to the Academic Registrar, Pembroke College, Oxford OX1 1DW by no later than the 16th May 2008. The selection process will involve referees not nominated by the candidates. Interviews are likely to take place in mid-June 2008.

The KSRF is funded by the Panthera Foundation (www.panthera-foundation.org).

Further particulars to assist applicants can be found on Pembroke College’s website (http://www.pmb.ox.ac.uk/Fellows_Staff/Staff/Vacancies.php) or here.

The College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The WildCRU is developing programmes across a diverse span of wildlife conservation topics, both in the UK and overseas. We welcome high calibre post-docs to join our team. In particular, we are developing a programme whereby we would offer an affiliation, together with subsidised desk space and facilities at Tubney House, to a small number of such post-docs to enable them to develop with us grant applications for projects on which, if successful, they would subsequently be employed. People interested in this opportunity should, in the first instance, email a paragraph outlining their interests and the type of project they have in mind (together with a CV) to Dr Paul Johnson (paul.johnson@zoo.ox.ac.uk), who will be coordinating the response.

Volunteers

DRAGONFLY RESEARCH VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED

Part-time volunteers required to assist with research on the ecology and conservation of Dragonflies (Odonata) on farmland ponds. Research tasks will involve: capturing, marking and identifying damselflies, surveying for dragonflies on the wing (depending on experience), recording of pond parameters, searching for roosting sites and recording land use types.

Suitable candidates need to be able to work 9-5 for a minimum of 2 days a week for at least 2 months during mid May-August 2008 BUT alternative arrangements may be considered. Successful candidates need to be enthusiastic, physically fit and prepared to undertake occasional long hours of fieldwork under all weather conditions. An interest on freshwater ecology, entomology or Odonates would be desirable. Unfortunately, no accomodation is available. Own transport is a must but arrangements can be done to pick up from Bicester/Aylesbury areas.

For further details please contact: eva.raebel@zoo.ox.ac.uk

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED FOR BAT DETECTOR SURVEYS

Fieldwork will involve walking planned transect routes across farmland sites around Oxfordshire (and surrounding counties) as part of ongoing research into habitat use by bats.  Volunteers will assist with monitoring bat activity and recording environmental conditions. Training will be provided in bat identification and analysis of echolocation calls. 

Volunteers will need to commit to 1 or 2 evenings per week between May to September 2007. Own transport would be an advantage. Candidates must be physically fit and prepared to undertake 3-4 hours of fieldwork at night in remote locations (lone working will NOT be required).

For further information please contact danielle.linton@zoo.ox.ac.uk OR see www.wildcru.org and complete an application form.

MORE VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR GREY PARTRIDGE REINTRODUCTION STUDIES

Volunteers are needed for this grey partridge reintroduction project studying
movements, behaviour and reproduction of captive-reared grey partridges released
on bird-friendly managed farms in the scenic countryside of Oxfordshire and east
Gloucestershire.

Volunteers are needed continuously but mostly in March for radio-tracking
released grey partridges on the study farms. The work in March would be
full-time and last about three weeks including the training period. In other
months the work would be part-time.

Experience in radio-tracking and animal surveys is desirable, but not mandatory
as brief training will be given. However, the
successful candidate needs to be physically fit and experienced in independent
field work. Own transport would be a plus.

For further details please contact elina.rantanen@zoo.ox.ac.uk

Mark-Release-Recapture of the endangered moth the Pale Shining Brown (Polia bombycina).

Timing           

10th of June – 20th of July

Outline

Part of the Upper Thames Project (http://www.upperthames.org) deals with moth conservation on farmland. During the 2006 season we identified an undiscovered hotspot for the Pale Shining Brown (Polia bombycina), a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) moth species. This moth was formerly widely recorded in southern and eastern England, but there are very few recent records. Moreover, little is known about the ecology of this species in the wild. We trapped a large number of adults on four different farms in the river Evenlode catchment area, making this the strongest known colony in Britain. This is a superb occasion to study habitat preferences, as well as to get an insight into population size and mobility, and hence enable the practical conservation of this moth species listed as a priority species in the UK BAP. With the same effort this study will allow to look into aspects of abundance and mobility on a selection of a few other, more common and abundant moth species.

Fieldwork includes placing of portable moth traps in late afternoon/early evening and checking for Pale Shining Brown and other species in the early morning on a number of trap sites during the species’ flight season (ca. 10th of June till ca. 20th of July). All individuals of the selected species will be marked with a fine marker and released on the spot.

Requirements
- Committed person: success of MRR studies largely depends on their intensity
- Driving license (own car optional)
- Prior knowledge of moths is not at all essential

Benefits
- Field work experience on a threatened species within the WildCRU
- Accommodation nearby study sites can be provided (Charlbury)
- Co-authorship on the resulting paper

contact: Dr. Thomas Merckx (thomas.merckx@zoo.ox.ac.uk)

OTHER POSITIONS

Occasionally, we advertise posts at other institutions:

VOLUNTARY FIELD ASSISTANT, PANAMA
Zoological Society of London

1. Are you excited by the idea of fieldwork in tropical forests?
2. Are you keen to learn more about mammal diversity and behaviour?
3. Are you interested in working with cutting-edge technology?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this is an exciting opportunity for you to build your experience. We’re looking for a volunteer field worker to assist with surveys of forest mammals on Barro Colorado Island, the world famous ecological research site in Panama, run by the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. As a long-term resident, you will become part of this vibrant ecological research community.

Your primary role will be to survey a wide range of mammal species (peccaries, agoutis, ocelots, coatis and more) using camera traps. These devices automatically and discretely record passing animals, making it possible to obtain information on otherwise invisible species. Activities will include:

1. regularly moving cameras to new locations
2. downloading and managing photographs
3. managing a database of information from the cameras
4. running data summaries and simple analyses

Training will be provided, so no previous experience is required. However, experience of tropical field work, camera trapping and/or data base management would be an advantage.

The position is available from late March until September 2008, and you must be able to stay for at least two months, preferably longer. The project will pay for your travel and make a contribution of at least £1000 to your living expenses, depending on the outcome of funding applications (costs on the island are currently US$55 per day full board).

To apply, send a CV and covering letter to Marcus Rowcliffe marcus.rowcliffe@ioz.ac.uk, to whom enquiries can also be addressed. Include details of your availability in the covering letter. Applications must be received by mid-day on Friday 14 March 2008. Interviews will be held early the following week, either at ZSL or by phone. Applications will be acknowledged, so please send a follow-up enquiry if no acknowledgement is received.

VOLUNTEERS WANTED FOR KALAHARI MEERKAT PROJECT
The Kalahari Meerkat Project is a long term field project run by the large animal research group at Cambridge University. The study is based in the South African Kalahari close to the Botswana border and volunteers are needed for a minimum of 12 months.

EARTHWATCH
We are running a programme in association with the Earthwatch Institute to monitor mammals in Wytham Woods. If you'd like to get involved contact Earthwatch at: 267 Banbury Road, Oxford, OX2 7HT, UK Tel: +44 (0)1865 318831 Email: Info@earthwatch.org.uk

www.earthwatch.org

For more information see the Mammal Monitoring web site