Greetings,
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is recruiting a
postdoctoral fellow who will be developing the offset plan for the
Loubomo-Mougagara road, in Gabon, in partnership with the
construction coordinators.
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Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES)
Smithsonian Gabon Biodiversity Program
Loubomo-Mougagara Road Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Project
(LMR-BMAP)
Postdoctoral Fellowship Announcement
Biodiversity Offset Planning in Gabon
Background: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI)
conducts research and monitoring to study, understand, predict, and
integrate biodiversity conservation needs with development priorities
of mega infrastructure projects. Guided by the principles of the
Convention on Biological Diversity, SCBI has worked with a selected
group of oil and gas companies since 1996 to develop conservation and
development best practices for conserving biodiversity and ecosystem
services that benefit humans and wildlife. SCBI's Gabon Biodiversity
Program is a partnership between Shell Gabon and the Smithsonian
Institution implanted in the Gamba Complex of Protected Areas. The
Gabon Biodiversity Program started the Loubomo-Mougagara Road
Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Project (LMR-BMAP) in 2012
which aims to study the impacts of the construction of a new road in
a fragile coastal mosaic landscape situated in the buffer zone of a
National Park. The LMR-BMAP completed the baseline biodiversity
assessment in the building site before construction started and is
now entering in the second phase of activity focusing on monitoring
and facilitating the creation of a land management plan for the Gamba
town (9000 people). LMR-BMAP produced 52 recommendations to road
builders to avoid, minimize, and restore impacts related to road
construction and seeks to create the first offset plan for a road in
central Africa that will ensure it has no net impact on the environment.
SCBI is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow who will be developing the
offset plan for the Loubomo-Mougagara road in partnership with the
construction coordinators.
Research description: 1) conduct a critical bibliographic synthesis
of road impacts and mitigation measures with the help of CCES
multidisciplinary team; 2) develop and implement, with the
environmental specialist of the construction company, the impact
monitoring system; 3) prepare the biodiversity offset plan for the
road and identify sources of funding for this plan; 4) prepare high
quality reports and high impact scientific papers related to the
research project; and 5) contribute to other research and
conservation-related activities for the LMR-BMAP and other SCBI projects.
Qualifications: We are seeking a highly motivated individual who should have:
1. A PhD by December 2013 in conservation biology, ecology, natural
resources management, biostatistics, economics, or related disciplines;
2. Scientific project management skills, and ability to work independently;
3. Experience with application of environmental management plans and
using the mitigation hierarchy and ability to work with partners from
the private sector;
4. Good writing skills and publication experience;
5. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in small teams;
6. Language skills (oral and in writing) in French will be beneficial;
7. Physical ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions.
Application: Applicants should present: 1) a letter of interest
detailing their qualifications for the position, 2) a curriculum
vitae, and 3) three professional references with contact information
(institution, email address, phone number). These documents can be
sent by email to Sulema Castro ([email protected]) with the indication
"Gabon offsets postdoc application" in the subject line.
Starting date: January 2014
Location: based in Washington, District of Columbia, USA with
frequent trips to Gabon
Duration: one year, renewable depending on project outcomes.
Application deadline: November 15, 2013. Note that applications will
be considered on a rolling basis so you are encouraged to apply as
early as possible.
Website:
http://nationalzoo.si.edu/SCBI/Collaborative-Research-Initiatives/Gabon-Biodiversity-Program.cfm
