Research Fellow (Biological Sciences)

Interdisciplinary Research Fellows Wanted for Exciting Field-based Ecology/Animal Behaviour Project(s) within human-altered ecosystems

Focus Geographies

• South Asia (Primarily Delhi)
• Central Asia (Migratory Kites)
• Nigeria
• Kenya
• Brazil
• UK

We are excited to announce that PAWS-Web, a trans-institutional (independent) think tank jointly based at Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi, the University of Oxford UK, and the Wildlife Institute of India, is seeking Research Fellows to join our interdisciplinary team. Our mission is to explore how anthropogenic impacts on ecosystems via urbanisation, and the associated waste it generates, are transforming the global biosphere and altering the relationships between humans and animals in shared spaces. We are committed to understanding the concurrent relevance of traditional cultural attitudes towards non-human cohabitants and bringing scientific rigour to the community-driven / state-driven management of livestock, urban animals and wildlife. The spatial scope ranges from within cities to adjoining native green spaces (protected areas)

Our approach is unique. We identify links in behavioural and demographic processes and attempt to uncover the genetic bases for animal personalities driven by human vs. animal cultural processes. We explore how humans and urban ecosystems are creating novel selection processes, offering exciting opportunities for natural experiments. This research has a simultaneous focus on basic (e.g., animal movement and territoriality; recognition of individual humans by dogs, macaques and kites; olfactory, auditory and visual cueing by animals in human-altered ecosystems, which affect coexistence etc.) as well as applied research (e.g., mitigation of human-wildlife conflicts: birdstrike issues on the civilian and military aircraft; conflicts with dogs and macaques using applied ecology).

Responsibilities:

• Conduct interdisciplinary fieldwork and data collection
• Analyze data and contribute to research publications
• Collaborate with a diverse team of experts

Desirable Qualifications:

• Degree in Ecology, Conservation Biology, or related field / Degrees that can complement such field-based research (e.g. AI - ML-based modelling)
• Candidates with an existing fellowships (CSIR-UGC JRF/DBT or similar fellowships) would be preferred.
• Experience in fieldwork and data analysis
• Passion for urban ecology and human-animal relationships

Candidates with less experience/qualifications but having a passion for scientific research and willing to work as Interns or Volunteers are also encouraged to apply. We look forward to welcoming you to our team and working together to create a sustainable and biodiverse future.