Post doctoral research associate

Project: Western Lowland Gorilla Conservation Project

Project overview: As part of a collaborative gorilla conservation project between the University of the West of England (UWE) and the Bristol Zoological Society, a conservation charity, we are recruiting a post-doctoral research associate to take on a leading role in our field project in Monte Alén National Park, Equatorial Guinea, Central Africa. Please note that we can only accept applications from people who are legally eligible to work in the UK.

1. Aims and Objectives
(a) Work in collaboration with the Head of Field Conservation and Science, as well as our project partners, to oversee the design and implementation of the field conservation activities for the Western Lowland Gorilla Conservation Project in Equatorial Guinea.
(b) In collaboration with the Project Leads (Grainne McCabe, BZS; David Fernández, UWE), a standardised monitoring protocol for large mammals using the deployment of camera traps and bioacoustic recorders, and line transect surveys will be trialled in Monte Alén National Park, Equatorial Guinea. When an effective method is agreed upon, an optimised survey plan will be written to ensure we are able to obtain robust estimates of population size changes and levels of anthropogenic threat with long-term monitoring.
(c) In collaboration with the Project Leads, produce a method/plan for monitoring the bushmeat trade (level of offtake and sales) in the region around MANP. This plan will include monitoring the number and species of animals for sale along the main road bordering the park on a weekly basis and the cost of each species.
(d) In collaboration with the Project Leads, apply for grants to fund the planned activities of the project within the BZS Conservation Masterplan 2018-2022.

2. Skills and Experience
o Experience conducting fieldwork in developing countries and/or remote locations
o Ability to speak and understand Spanish (required) and English (required)
o Experience in working with communities or social science projects
o Ability to conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis
o Ability to work independently, but also part of a team
o Ability to lead and organise a field team, experience with team management and organisation is desired
o Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
o Ability to represent the Society at meetings with government officials in EG
o Tolerance, patience, open-mindedness, as well as flexibility and adaptability are essential traits needed for this project
o Record of grant funding and publications

3. Locations
This will be a largely field-based position, with several months spent in EG at a time over the year. The remainder of the time, the position will be based at Bristol Zoo Gardens in Bristol, with some occasional time spent at the UWE campus in Bristol.
In Bristol, monthly meetings will be held between Dr Grainne McCabe and the post doc to ensure that all parties are kept up-to-date on project progress and any issues can be promptly resolved. Monthly meetings will also be held with our project partner, Dr David Fernández at UWE. When in the field, weekly progress emails/calls will be held to monitor progress and discuss challenges and opportunities. At the end of the 1-year period, the post doc will submit a final progress report detailing progress on each of the aims and objectives of the project, as outlined above. If funding is available, an extension to the position may be discussed.

4. Salary and Field costs
£24,000 per annum
All field costs are currently covered under secured grants by the PIs.