Postgraduate Research Associate (Full-Time / 1 Year Fixed-Term Contract)

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.

We are seeking a highly motivated research associate to identify global priorities for the conservation of terrestrial vertebrate species under alternative scenarios of global change by 2030. The successful applicant will be based in Dr Piero Visconti’s research group and join an exciting inter-disciplinary National Geographic Society-funded project entitled ‘Pathways to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals’. The overall aim of this project is to understand the changes in consumption, production and technology required to achieve simultaneously goals for food security and biodiversity conservation. This one-year full time position will have a specific role in the project of identifying the spatial constraints on future land-use change such that biodiversity goals are attained. The research associate will collaborate with researchers at the PBL Netherland Environmental Assessment Agency, ZSL Conservation Programme and UNEP-WCMC.  Preliminary results for the project are expected by end of February. The project will start as soon as possible and no later than 1st December.

• To conduct spatial prioritization analyses using Marxan and input data on species distribution and extinction risk 
• Apply species distribution models to land-use and climate change scenarios
• Interact with the PI and other team members on project design, data sharing, analyses and interpretation of the results 
• Attend project inception meeting in UK and the Netherland 
• Assist the PI and other team members in reporting to the National Geographic Society on project progress and milestones 
• Assist the team in organizing a symposium in February at which preliminary results will be presented 
• Assist the team in writing up the results in a peer-reviewed manuscript 
• Assist with internal project communications and in organising regular project team meetings in either Cambridge, London, the Netherlands or remotely, as appropriate. 

• BSc in a relevant area or equivalent experience
• Proven experience in systematic conservation planning software (especially Marxan)
• Proven experience in programming in R: in particular spatial analyses, matrix manipulation
• Ability to work as part of a team and also to work independently using own initiative
• Experience of writing up research work for publication

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job 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: Midnight Sunday 19th November 2017.