The Msc Wildlife Program at NCBS (for which NCBS, NCF and The Habitats Trust are partners) is seeking an Academic Fellow to be a part of the team that plans and delivers the program.
The Program, anchored and run at the NCBS - TIFR campus in Bangalore, has a mission to build capacity for conservation science in India through the training of students in a rigorous, high-quality masters’ program that equips students to engage in wildlife biology and conservation research and evidence-based conservation practice. The program is also working towards building more initiatives in conservation research and capacity building. The program has so far produced over a 100 alumni, who are today spread across the country, in leading conservation NGOs, as faculty in premier universities and other engagements including the civil services, environmental journalism and conservation outreach. Most of the theses from the program lead to publications in peer-reviewed journals in the field (80 publications to date); while alumni have gone on to contribute more than 240 peer-reviewed papers – a substantial body of knowledge in the field. Importantly, through their research, action, advocacy and community-based initiatives, our alumni have either led or contributed to several on-the-ground conservation outcomes.
The Academic Fellow, working alongside the Program Director, will have the following responsibilities:
Planning and review of program curriculum to ensure that it is current and relevant to the constantly changing challenges of global and national wildlife and ecosystem conservation.
Monitoring academic development and learning outcomes for students in the program
Mentoring students through the program, including in the development, planning and implementation of their master’s thesis projects.
Contributing to courses taught in the program, depending on expertise.
Leading student field trips to various ecosystems across the country, and visiting students at field sites during their research projects as needed.
Working with the Director and various Program Committees to develop new initiatives in conservation capacity building, education, research and policy.
Working with the Director and Program fundraising team to develop fundraising proposals to support the activities and growth of the Program Consortium.
Any other duties that may develop in relation to the delivery of the program and the building of the Program Consortium.
The Academic Fellow will be based at the Program Office in the NCBS, Bangalore, with its lively and vibrant community of academics, students and wildlife and conservation professionals who engage with the program. The academic year in the program is busy, with a year-round schedule of lectures, guest talks, discussions on papers and research projects, and field trips.
The ideal candidate will have a PhD and show evidence of research and publication experience in the fields of Conservation /Wildlife /Ecological Sciences. Extensive field experience and excellent natural history skills are required. The candidate should be passionate about contributing to conservation through teaching and student mentoring, and be willing and able to travel out of Bangalore on fieldtrips for extended periods of time. The candidate should have strong social and inter-personal skills required to interact with students, faculty and visitors to the program. An interest and passion for wildlife and conservation are required to sustain the Program’s mission to impact capacity-building, research and outreach for conservation. We encourage candidates to continue/initiate new research in their areas of expertise (particularly if it involves analyses and syntheses), and outreach/communication in the area of wildlife conservation, with the expectation that it will not take away from core responsibilities and contribute to fostering a dynamic conservation science environment for the program.
Salary will be set at standard academic scales, based on qualification and experience.
Please apply with:
A letter of interest that outlines why you want this job and why you will be good at it (upto 1000 words)
Your CV indicating qualifications and relevant experience for the job.
Names and contact details of three referees who can speak to academic and teaching skills.
Apply with the above materials- ALL COLLATED INTO A SINGLE PDF DOCUMENT - which is sent as an attachment by email to: academicfellowwildlife@gmail.com
Ensure that the SUBJECT LINE IN your application email is as below:
WLPFellowApplicant _2021_YOURFULLNAME
Applications must be received on or before APRIL 30TH 2021 to receive full consideration in this round.
Interviews will be conducted in May and if selected, a candidate will be expected to join as soon as possible thereafter.
This position will remain open till a suitable candidate is found.