We are offering a fully funded four-year PhD position at the University of Zurich, to work in a new project in biodiversity monitoring at the Kalahari Research Centre, South Africa. The Kalahari Research Centre, known for its long-term, individual-based studies like the cooperative breeding meerkats, is expanding its scope to explore complex multi-species interactions and co-occurrence patterns using an extensive network of ~150 camera traps arranged in a 1x1km grid. This project aims to investigate the biodiversity dynamics of the Kalahari ecosystem and how different species interact within this ecosystem.
The PhD student will play a key role in this project, focusing on analysing the extensive data gathered from the camera traps. Their research will be vital in advancing our knowledge of multi-species interactions and biodiversity in the Kalahari, particularly in relation to different land use regimes and climate change. They will employ existing methods for analysing abundance, co-occurrence, and habitat selection from camera trap data, while also exploring the potential development of new approaches using hierarchical modelling.
Responsibilities:
- Managing, sorting, and analysing a vast amount of camera trap images.
- Employing machine learning and AI tools for species identification and biodiversity analysis.
- Developing and testing statistical methods for assessing species abundance, co-occurrence, and habitat selection based on camera trap data.
- Applying GIS analysis to investigate spatial biodiversity patterns and land use impacts.
- Taking a role in coordinating fieldwork, including data collection and logistics, to ensure the successful continuation of field activities.
Qualifications:
- MSc degree (or equivalent) in ecology, environmental science, data science, or a related field.
- Experience in data management and handling large datasets.
- Familiarity with / interest in machine learning and AI applications
- Proficiency in GIS analysis in biological research.
- Strong interest in biodiversity, conservation, and ecological research.
- Solid quantitative skills and interest in Bayesian statistical analysis.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a diverse team.
We offer an academic degree in a dynamic research environment. The PhD student will be an active member of the Population Ecology Research Group at the Department of Evolutionary Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Zurich, and have extended field visits to the Kalahari Research Centre. They will have ample opportunity to collaborate with an international network of ecologists and biostatisticians. The salary will be based on the guidelines of the University of Zurich. For more information, please contact Arpat Ozgul or visit www.popecol.org.
Please send the following application material in a single PDF file to Judith Baumgartner judith.baumgartner@uzh.ch. Screening of applicants will start on February 19th, 2024 and continue until the position is filled.
- Cover letter indicating your motivation for this research
- Detailed CV, including publications
- One page summary of your MSc thesis work
- Contact information for two references
