Voluntary Research Internship - National Red List Project

About Us:

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.

Role Profile:

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 working on the National Red List project.

The National Red List project aims to highlight the importance of Red Lists at national and regional levels since they are instrumental in setting conservation priorities and actions. The National Red List website aims to provide guidance and information on how to develop National Red Lists, as well as providing a clearing house for National Red List assessments from across the globe. Since its beginning, the National Red List website and database have seen an increase in visitors, institutional support (such as from the Convention on Biological Diversity) and volume of information being submitted for inclusion on the website. We are currently in the process of uploading all data received in order to provide a comprehensive update on status and coverage of national and regional Red Lists worldwide by spring 2017.

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

The volunteer will contribute to the processing and upload of National Red List data onto our database and website; mapping and statistical analysis to analyse the coverage of National Red Lists worldwide; and updating the National Red List website with latest news and results.

Person Specification:

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:

• Gaining an understanding of global conservation issues
• Receiving training in dealing with large datasets
• Using online databases and Excel functions
• Basic ArcGIS, QGIS training, and IUCN Red List training
• 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.

To Apply:

If you would like to apply for the National Red List 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: Friday 9th September 2016.

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: No. 208728.