project.enetwild@uclm.es
Enetwild is a European network of wildlife professionals capable of providing reliable data on species distribution and abundance of selected host species and their pathogens. Risk assessment for some pathogens of interest for humans and livestock requires the availability of presence and abundance data on wild species which can represent reservoirs for pathogens. Many European countries and organizations collect spatial data on distribution and abundance of wildlife, but each one has its own specific characteristics with respect to the methodology used, the type of data acquired, the repository implemented and their accessibility.
Through ENETWILD (www.enetwild.com), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) funds this project to collect comparable data at European level in order to analyze risks of diseases shared between wildlife, livestock and humans; data that are also essential in conservation and wildlife management. This project attempts to improve the European capacities for monitoring of wildlife population, developing standards for data collection, validation and, finally, create and promote a data repository. The objectives that ENETWILD will develop during next years are specifically focused on wild boar, other wild ungulates and carnivores.
We are seeking a wildlife and disease management researcher (postdoc) to assist in literature review and developing research protocols for designing studies / pilot trials to evaluate:
1. The impact of reducing the wild boar population densities in relation to transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV)
2. The natural ecology and behavior of wild boar to improve effectiveness of wild boar population management
This report will play a key role in the management of wild boar in European policies, specifically by working to reduce and prevent the spread of ASF. Responsible for report drafting, you will have a PhD or equivalent level qualification in wildlife ecology, management and/or diseases, strong technical skills and proven experience of working in the field. You will also have an understanding of a range of species (mainly ungulates), habitat and management issues. You will be skilled in providing strategic advice and technical input to the design, development, implementation and drafting scientific reports and papers. You will be skilled in Geographic Information Systems, statistics, wildlife population abundance estimation and the use of camera traps. The post holder will be required to provide support to the project team in order to publish scientific papers. You will also be a skilled communicator in English, who is capable of communicating technical information to a broad range of audiences and enjoy working in a dynamic environment where the ability to respond swiftly to changing organizational and team needs is paramount.
Start Date: As soon as possible (20th June)
Contract Type: Posdoc position according to University of Castilla-La Mancha (Ciudad Real, Spain)
Net Salary: approx. 2100-euro month (net)
Location: Ciudad Real (Spain), tele job is partially possible, and stays with partners of the consortium if needed
Duration: 8 months year fixed-term contract, and possibility to renew
1. Work with the Project Manager and partners staff to review literature and developing research protocols for designing studies / pilot trials to evaluate:
• The impact of reducing the wild boar population densities in relation to transmission of African swine fever virus (ASFV) • The natural ecology and behavior of wild boar to improve effectiveness of wild boar population management
2. Draft the report (first version by end of 2021)
3. Collaborate in organizing a meeting with international experts on wild boar management and policy making, preparing the topics of discussion in advance
4. Work as part of the team to develop and implement work plans, taking into account the tasks of existing specific contracts
5. Lead and coordinate work with specialists on the topic to collate and analyze data on wild boar ecology and management
6. Deliver technical reports
7. Build and maintain key partnerships and relationships with interest groups and partners
8. Maintain regular and effective communications with partners and collaborators
9. Ensure that own work complies with EFSA operating standards, policies and procedures, and with contract and grant requirements
10. Ensure that field operations with collaborators (camera trap surveys) are performed 11. With agreement of the Project Manager and partners, perform any other tasks that may be requested from time to time that are appropriate to your skills and experience.
| Essential | Desirable | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills | • Technical skills in one of the following: veterinary, biology | • Experience of collating and analyzing wild ungulate population data |
| • Strong field skills in at least one of the following: wildlife (ungulate) management; wildlife (ungulate) diseases | ||
| • Strong verbal communication, presentation and networking skills | ||
| • Strong written communication skills, including report and proposal writing | ||
| • Strong prioritization and time management skills, with ability to work to multiple deadlines and a clear focus on delivery of results | ||
| • Strong desk-research and analysis skills | ||
| • Advanced Microsoft Office skills, including Outlook and Excel | ||
| • Advanced GIS and Statistics | ||
| • Fluency in and English (spoken and written) | ||
| Knowledge and experience | • Substantial professional experience in wild ungulate management, conservation, including development and implementation of projects | • Understanding of the statutory and regulatory frameworks of wildlife and disease management in Europe |
| • Expertise in areas of wild ungulate management that would complement the existing team – specifically population and sanitary surveys | ||
| • Working with government agencies and hunters | ||
| Behavioural qualities | • Commitment to Enetwild and EFSA mission and vision | |
| • Rigorous and diligent approach to work | ||
| • Ability to work under pressure and to deal with challenges in a positive way | ||
| • Team player, demonstrating ability to seek out and harness the views and contributions of others | ||
| • Self-starter, able to work well under own initiative | ||
| • Ability to build positive individual and organizational relationships | ||
| • Ability to work within a multi-cultural environment |
Applications, consisting of a covering letter explaining why you are applying for the position and relating your experience and skills to the role, a full CV, and contact details for two referees (who will not be approached without your permission) should be submitted via email to Office Manager via email at project.enetwild@uclm.es Please mark your application ‘Wild boar specialist`. An official call will be published by the University of Castilla-La Mancha, which will indicate the closing date for applications and the bureaucratic process to present the application. Regrettably, due to limited resources and the high number of applications we receive, we are only able to contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
ENETWILD Project Management
@enetwild