Greetings,
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is recruiting a
postdoctoral fellow who will be studying ecosystem services and
landscape connectivity in the Gamba region of Gabon for the
Loubomo-Mougagara Road Biodiversity Monitoring and Assessment Project.
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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
Ecosystem Services Assessment 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) and nearby region that should develop when the
road will be constructed in 2015.
SCBI is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow who will be studying
ecosystem services and landscape connectivity in the Gamba region for
the LMR-BMAP.
Research description: 1) conduct a critical bibliographic synthesis
of models and methods available for assessing connectivity and
relevant ecosystem services with the help of SCBI multidisciplinary
team; 2) develop and implement innovative models and methods to
conduct such assessments in the Gamba area; 3) with the help of the
LMR-BMAP participatory process facilitator in Gabon, and based on
model results, produce probable management scenario outcomes to help
the decision making process regarding development options to be
conducted around Gamba; 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 natural resources management, ecology,
biostatistics, geography, economics or related disciplines;
2. Experience with application of spatial models, such as Invest;
user of ArcGIS; programming ability;
3. Good writing skills and publication experience;
4. Scientific project management skills, and ability to work independently;
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 ES 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
