Voluntary Research Internship - Living Planet Index

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

The Indicators and Assessments Unit at the Zoological Society of London is offering an excellent opportunity to gain experience with one of the UK’s leading conservation research organisations. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to join the group that develops the the Living Planet Index.

The Living Planet Index (LPI) is a biodiversity indicator developed by ZSL in partnership with WWF. It enables conservationists and policy-makers to determine whether targets to reduce biodiversity loss, such as those set by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Millennium Development Goals, are being met. It is based on population trends of vertebrate species and provides a broad scope for population analysis.

The volunteers will contribute to collecting and entering population time series data into the LPI database; using mapping and statistical techniques to analyse patterns in population trends; and updating the Living Planet Index and Indicators and Assessments Unit websites with latest news and results.

Given the required training, we ask the volunteers to attend set training days and to commit to a minimum of 20 hours a week for six months. Days and times will be agreed after interviews.

These positions are offered on a voluntary basis, although lunch and travel expenses (up to equivalent to a daily travel card within zones 1-6 for each day worked) will be reimbursed.

Please note: Potential volunteers must be eligible to work in the UK.

In this role, the voluntary intern will benefit from:

• Receiving training in dealing with large datasets
• Using online databases and Excel functions
• Basic MySQL, ArcGIS and QGIS training,
• Using R particularly for running GAMs
• Guidance from both researchers and supervisors on scientific writing and the use of social media to communicate science.
• Opportunities to network with researchers within and outside ZSL.
• Additional learning opportunities that are available through weekly research seminars, lab meetings and conservation and research talks.

If you would like to apply for the Living Planet Index Voluntary Research Internship, you will need to submit a CV and covering letter.

• The CV should be up to date and include at least two referees with e-mail addresses.
• The covering letter should explain why you would like to do the internship.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this role online" button. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications is: Sunday 4th September 2016
The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: No. 208728.