Post-Doctoral Position: Tropical Wildlife Ecology and Conservation

The Center for Conservation Education and Sustainability (CCES) at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is seeking a highly motivated post-doctoral fellow to design and lead a study on the movement and behavior of selected primate species in relation to activities associated with the construction of a natural gas pipeline in the Lower Urubamba Region of central Peru. Natural “canopy bridges”, or areas where a pipeline right-of-way clearing is reduced in width to allow connectivity of the canopy, are promoted as an environmental impact mitigation practice for pipeline construction projects in sensitive tropical environments. However, the effectiveness of natural canopy bridges to maintain connectivity for various primate species has not been adequately assessed nor has the influence of pipeline clearings on primate movement in general. Utilizing a unique opportunity for a field experiment where canopy bridges are located only in “treatment” areas, as well as a before/during/after study design, the fellow will address the following primary questions: 1) To what extent does the constructed pipeline restrict movement of selected primate species? 2) Do canopy bridges significantly facilitate primate movement across forest pipelines?

This research will factor into a larger proposed research effort in the region which will focus on documenting the region’s biological diversity, assessing the impact of extractive-use operations on local flora and fauna, and working with government and private-sector decision-makers to minimize these impacts.

The successful applicant should have: 1) a PhD in wildlife ecology, forest ecology, conservation biology or a related discipline, 2) research experience and publication record in tropical ecology, ideally working with tropical primates, 3) basic or intermediate level of GIS experience 4) strong organizational skills, and 4) experience working in remote tropical areas. Comfort or fluency with Spanish is preferred. The position is a 1-yr appointment with potential for extension depending on funding. Position will be based in Washington DC when field work in Peru is not ongoing. The successful applicant should expect to spend more than 6 months of the year in Peru.

Applicants should email: 1) a letter of interest detailing qualifications for the position, 2) curriculum vitae and 3) a list of 3 professional references with contact information (institution, email address, phone number) to Sulema Castro at castros@si.edu. Please include “Peru Primate Post-doc application” in the subject line. Note that applications will be considered on a rolling basis so you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.