By Kausik Banerjee
Nature Kaleidoscope is not only a voice of young researchers at WII, it has an edifying role as well. It has often been felt at WII that majority of early or mid-career students remain perplexed about the scopes and opportunities in the conservation field. Most common FAQs humming in the campus are like these: ‘what are the international forums (seminars, meetings) where I can discuss my findings’, ‘where and when should I write for a grant proposal as my project is terminating shortly’, ‘is there any training workshop or field visit course through which I can learn something new’ and so on. Sometimes a student knows about a conference, nevertheless slips to apply for it after forgetting the deadlines. BWII recognizes these and therefore we have come up with a relevant section (News and Opportunities) shown as a white button link in the right hand side of our blog page. We would attempt to make this a regular fortnightly column where our editorial team would inform the onlookers about the upcoming events and research grants in the conservation field. We would try our best to update you well in advance so as to enable you to grab these opportunities. We would also urge our readers to enrich our repository by regularly contributing such news bytes. Finally, on behalf of BWII I welcome you to this important section of our blog. Please keep an eye on this section and avail of some top opportunities in our field.
Nature Kaleidoscope is not only a voice of young researchers at WII, it has an edifying role as well. It has often been felt at WII that majority of early or mid-career students remain perplexed about the scopes and opportunities in the conservation field. Most common FAQs humming in the campus are like these: ‘what are the international forums (seminars, meetings) where I can discuss my findings’, ‘where and when should I write for a grant proposal as my project is terminating shortly’, ‘is there any training workshop or field visit course through which I can learn something new’ and so on. Sometimes a student knows about a conference, nevertheless slips to apply for it after forgetting the deadlines. BWII recognizes these and therefore we have come up with a relevant section (News and Opportunities) shown as a white button link in the right hand side of our blog page. We would attempt to make this a regular fortnightly column where our editorial team would inform the onlookers about the upcoming events and research grants in the conservation field. We would try our best to update you well in advance so as to enable you to grab these opportunities. We would also urge our readers to enrich our repository by regularly contributing such news bytes. Finally, on behalf of BWII I welcome you to this important section of our blog. Please keep an eye on this section and avail of some top opportunities in our field.
CLUTCH THESE!!!
Contributor - Kausik Banerjee
Plant fellows is a new international post doc fellowship programme in the field of plant sciences co-funded by the SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (FP7) Marie Curie Actions – People, Co-funding of Regional, National and International Programmes (COFUND).
Plant fellows is centrally managed at the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center. The Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center is a competence center of three Swiss universities, the University of Zurich, the University of Basel and the ETH Zurich. The University of Zurich will act as the coordinator of PLANT FELLOWS.
Plant fellows is open to applicants from all over the world. 13 European and 7 international universities and research institutes and 3 industry partners have been predefined as host organisations on the basis of their excellence in higher education and plant research.
Plant fellows offers approx. 69 new post doc fellowships spread between three different schemes (incoming, outgoing and reintegration) and a structured training programme, including workshops, dedicated training in complementary skills and industrial placements. Unique in its kind, the fellows of the programme have the opportunity to obtain a PLANT FELLOWS Training Certification after successfully completing the whole training programme.
Plant fellows thus aims at establishing a training and qualification framework in the area of life-long learning/vocational training, which complements the present postdoctoral training in plant sciences with an international competitive dimension.
The Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center administers the international fellowships program, PLANT FELLOWS. The partners in PLANT FELLOWS are 23 host organizations in Europe and internationally (including Brazil, China, India, South Africa). The program invites applications for post-doc fellowships worldwide in all fields of plant science. The fourth call for applications has been published and is open from 7th January 2014 until 31st March 2014. For more details visit http://www.plantfellows.ch/.
The International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is the pre-eminent organization for professional biologists with an interest in bears. Membership is open to professional biologists, wildlife managers, and all others dedicated to the conservation of the world’s bear species. The goal of the IBA is to promote the conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management, and education. The organization has over 550 members from over 50 countries. The IBA sponsors workshops and international conferences on all aspects of bear biology, ecology, and management. The International Conference on Bear Research and Management is the largest of these conferences.
The 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management aims to be a forerunner in this process by providing a meeting point and becoming the public outlet for the most experienced specialists in the field of bear research, conservation and management.
Call for Abstracts November 1, 2013 - April 4, 2014
Acceptance Letter May 5, 2014
Early Registration Deadline July 25, 2014
Registration Deadline September 1, 2014
Conference Dates October 5-11, 2014
For more details please write to [email protected] or visit http://www.iba-greece-2014.com/.
Applications are invited by GBPIHED for research positions in various projects related to climate change, land use patterns in the Himalayas and environmental dynamics. The candidate with adequate qualification may appear for Walk-In-Interview on 17.02.2014, 18.02.2014 and 20.02.2014 (11 AM) at Kosi-Katarmal (Almora) campus of the Institute. Desirous candidate may forward an advance copy of the application to the Administrative Officer by e-mail ([email protected]) or fax (05962-241150) clearly mentioning the code of the project and position applied for. Candidate appearing for Interview should bring original copies (with xerox copy) of testimonials, biodata and an application. No allowance will be given to the candidate appearing for the Interview. For more details please visit http://gbpihed.gov.in/AdvtHQ-IH-17.01.2014.pdf.
Mendel University in Brno is a public higher education institution financed by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the Czech Republic. It offers two year master-level study program in European Forestry at Schengen zone, Czech Republic. Suitable candidate for the program are those from the fields like forestry, landscaping, nature conservation, biology etc. Applicant has to submit all necessary documents and sill have to appear for the online test that will be conducted in mid-April. There is no age limit. Program fees: 800 EUR for entire study program. Scholarships: Scholarships are available. Successful applicants will receive scholarships of €2,300/semester. Last date for the application: 31st March 2014. For more information please contact: Ing. Bc. David Sís, International Relations, Dean’s office, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 3 / 613 00 Brno / Czech Republic, Phone: +420 545 134 007, E-mail: [email protected] or http://www.ldf.mendelu.cz/en.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund makes grants to individuals, communities, and organizations for the conservation of animal, bird, plant, and fungi species worldwide. Anyone directly engaged in species conservation can apply. Grants are up to US$25 thousand per project. The next deadline is 28 February 2014. More details can be obtained from http://www.speciesconservation.org/grants/ or write to The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, PO Box 131112, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 2 632 9117, Fax: +971 2 635 0740, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
The Chicago Zoological Society administers conservation grants funded by the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The Fund's priority is to support projects that assist directly in the protection of populations of threatened and endangered species; or that protect a specific habitat that is of high biological value or that is substantially threatened (IUCN Red List Status). Grants are up to US$5 thousand. Eligibility extends to chairs and officers in IUCN's SSC Specialist Group; chairs and officers in AZA/WAZA; and all interested researchers. The next application deadline is 07 March 2014. More details can be obtained at http://www.czs.org/czs/cbotgrant.aspx or write to Chicago Zoological Society, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA.
SACON is looking for a JRF on the project titled “Ecological species sorting in relation to habitat structure in the small cat guild of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh”.
Name of the position: Junior Research Fellow/ Programme Fellow; Age: below 28 years on the stipulated last date for receiving applications; Duration: 3 years; Fellowship: As per DST norms for the NET/ GATE qualified candidates or as per SACON rules; Qualification: M.Sc in Wildlife/ Ecology/ Life Sciences. Last date of application February 14, 2014. More details can be obtained at http://www.sacon.in/index.php/news/careers?view=featured.
The University of Florida has an opening for a PhD position in wildlife ecotoxicology, studying effects of methylmercury contamination on reproduction in free ranging long legged wading birds in the Everglades of Florida. Research will involve field collection of contamination and reproductive data, modeling strength of effects, and performing risk analysis for a regional population exposed to differing contamination regimes. Stipend, tuition and field research funds are provided, dependent upon annual grant renewals. Applicants must have MS degree in biology, wildlife, ecotoxicology or related field, and interest and experience in ecotoxicological research. Preferred candidates will also have previous field experience with some wildlife species, evidence of quantitative expertise (eg, statistical or ecological modeling, risk analysis), and publications submitted or published from MS research. To apply, send CV, letter of interest, unoffficial GRE scores and GPA, contact information for three references and samples of writing to Dr. Peter Frederick ([email protected]) by 15 March 2014. Position starts in fall semester (August) 2014.
North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal is organizing 4th National Conference on Environment and Biodiversity of India at New Delhi between October 04 and October 05, 2014. Abstract submission is open and deadline is August 31, 2014. Thrust areas include Floristic and faunal studies, Biodiversity Hotspots, Wetlands & Sacred Groves, Ethnobiology and Traditional Knowledge, Wildlife Protected Areas Forest management, Modern trends in Plant & Animal taxonomy, Freshwater & marine ecosystem, Climate Change, Natural Disaster Management, Environmental Pollution, E-waste and Solid waste management, Environmental laws & policies. For more details please visit http://www.neceer.org.in/.
The American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and its partners invite graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career professionals to take part in the fifth annual Student Conference on Conservation Science – New York (SCCS-NY). Interactions with established conservationists will encourage collaborations, inspire further research, and launch lasting associations. Be among the emerging generation of conservation professionals networking and exchanging ideas with leaders in science, policy, academia, and management at one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Abstract submission and application opens on March 03, 2014 and deadline expires on April 04, 2014. The registration fee is $125 USD, which includes admission to three full days of presentations, workshops, poster session and reception, resource fair, special events, daily lunches, morning and afternoon refreshments, access to American Museum of Natural History exhibitions, and discounts in Museum shops. For more details please visit http://www.amnh.org/our-research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/events-exhibitions/conferences-and-symposia/2014-sccs-ny.
Contributor - Kausik Banerjee
- Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center -- Fellowships in Plant Science 2014
Plant fellows is a new international post doc fellowship programme in the field of plant sciences co-funded by the SEVENTH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME (FP7) Marie Curie Actions – People, Co-funding of Regional, National and International Programmes (COFUND).
Plant fellows is centrally managed at the Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center. The Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center is a competence center of three Swiss universities, the University of Zurich, the University of Basel and the ETH Zurich. The University of Zurich will act as the coordinator of PLANT FELLOWS.
Plant fellows is open to applicants from all over the world. 13 European and 7 international universities and research institutes and 3 industry partners have been predefined as host organisations on the basis of their excellence in higher education and plant research.
Plant fellows offers approx. 69 new post doc fellowships spread between three different schemes (incoming, outgoing and reintegration) and a structured training programme, including workshops, dedicated training in complementary skills and industrial placements. Unique in its kind, the fellows of the programme have the opportunity to obtain a PLANT FELLOWS Training Certification after successfully completing the whole training programme.
Plant fellows thus aims at establishing a training and qualification framework in the area of life-long learning/vocational training, which complements the present postdoctoral training in plant sciences with an international competitive dimension.
The Zurich-Basel Plant Science Center administers the international fellowships program, PLANT FELLOWS. The partners in PLANT FELLOWS are 23 host organizations in Europe and internationally (including Brazil, China, India, South Africa). The program invites applications for post-doc fellowships worldwide in all fields of plant science. The fourth call for applications has been published and is open from 7th January 2014 until 31st March 2014. For more details visit http://www.plantfellows.ch/.
- 'Bears and humans in the 21st century: challenges and solutions for a peaceful coexistence'. The 23nd International Conference on Bear Research and Management, IBA 2014, Thessaloniki, Greece, October 05 – 11, 2014
The International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) is the pre-eminent organization for professional biologists with an interest in bears. Membership is open to professional biologists, wildlife managers, and all others dedicated to the conservation of the world’s bear species. The goal of the IBA is to promote the conservation and restoration of the world’s bears through science-based research, management, and education. The organization has over 550 members from over 50 countries. The IBA sponsors workshops and international conferences on all aspects of bear biology, ecology, and management. The International Conference on Bear Research and Management is the largest of these conferences.
The 23rd International Conference on Bear Research and Management aims to be a forerunner in this process by providing a meeting point and becoming the public outlet for the most experienced specialists in the field of bear research, conservation and management.
Call for Abstracts November 1, 2013 - April 4, 2014
Acceptance Letter May 5, 2014
Early Registration Deadline July 25, 2014
Registration Deadline September 1, 2014
Conference Dates October 5-11, 2014
For more details please write to [email protected] or visit http://www.iba-greece-2014.com/.
- Recruitment of 16 research personnel in various projects at G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment & Development, Kosi Katarmal, Almora, India.
Applications are invited by GBPIHED for research positions in various projects related to climate change, land use patterns in the Himalayas and environmental dynamics. The candidate with adequate qualification may appear for Walk-In-Interview on 17.02.2014, 18.02.2014 and 20.02.2014 (11 AM) at Kosi-Katarmal (Almora) campus of the Institute. Desirous candidate may forward an advance copy of the application to the Administrative Officer by e-mail ([email protected]) or fax (05962-241150) clearly mentioning the code of the project and position applied for. Candidate appearing for Interview should bring original copies (with xerox copy) of testimonials, biodata and an application. No allowance will be given to the candidate appearing for the Interview. For more details please visit http://gbpihed.gov.in/AdvtHQ-IH-17.01.2014.pdf.
- M.Sc study program in European Forestry at Mendel University, Czech Republic
Mendel University in Brno is a public higher education institution financed by Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports in the Czech Republic. It offers two year master-level study program in European Forestry at Schengen zone, Czech Republic. Suitable candidate for the program are those from the fields like forestry, landscaping, nature conservation, biology etc. Applicant has to submit all necessary documents and sill have to appear for the online test that will be conducted in mid-April. There is no age limit. Program fees: 800 EUR for entire study program. Scholarships: Scholarships are available. Successful applicants will receive scholarships of €2,300/semester. Last date for the application: 31st March 2014. For more information please contact: Ing. Bc. David Sís, International Relations, Dean’s office, Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 3 / 613 00 Brno / Czech Republic, Phone: +420 545 134 007, E-mail: [email protected] or http://www.ldf.mendelu.cz/en.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund makes grants to individuals, communities, and organizations for the conservation of animal, bird, plant, and fungi species worldwide. Anyone directly engaged in species conservation can apply. Grants are up to US$25 thousand per project. The next deadline is 28 February 2014. More details can be obtained from http://www.speciesconservation.org/grants/ or write to The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, PO Box 131112, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tel: +971 2 632 9117, Fax: +971 2 635 0740, Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
- Chicago Zoological Society’s Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) Endangered Species Fund
The Chicago Zoological Society administers conservation grants funded by the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). The Fund's priority is to support projects that assist directly in the protection of populations of threatened and endangered species; or that protect a specific habitat that is of high biological value or that is substantially threatened (IUCN Red List Status). Grants are up to US$5 thousand. Eligibility extends to chairs and officers in IUCN's SSC Specialist Group; chairs and officers in AZA/WAZA; and all interested researchers. The next application deadline is 07 March 2014. More details can be obtained at http://www.czs.org/czs/cbotgrant.aspx or write to Chicago Zoological Society, 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513, USA.
- Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) requires a Junior Research Fellow
SACON is looking for a JRF on the project titled “Ecological species sorting in relation to habitat structure in the small cat guild of Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, Arunachal Pradesh”.
Name of the position: Junior Research Fellow/ Programme Fellow; Age: below 28 years on the stipulated last date for receiving applications; Duration: 3 years; Fellowship: As per DST norms for the NET/ GATE qualified candidates or as per SACON rules; Qualification: M.Sc in Wildlife/ Ecology/ Life Sciences. Last date of application February 14, 2014. More details can be obtained at http://www.sacon.in/index.php/news/careers?view=featured.
- PhD Position in Wildlife Ecotoxicology at University of Florida
The University of Florida has an opening for a PhD position in wildlife ecotoxicology, studying effects of methylmercury contamination on reproduction in free ranging long legged wading birds in the Everglades of Florida. Research will involve field collection of contamination and reproductive data, modeling strength of effects, and performing risk analysis for a regional population exposed to differing contamination regimes. Stipend, tuition and field research funds are provided, dependent upon annual grant renewals. Applicants must have MS degree in biology, wildlife, ecotoxicology or related field, and interest and experience in ecotoxicological research. Preferred candidates will also have previous field experience with some wildlife species, evidence of quantitative expertise (eg, statistical or ecological modeling, risk analysis), and publications submitted or published from MS research. To apply, send CV, letter of interest, unoffficial GRE scores and GPA, contact information for three references and samples of writing to Dr. Peter Frederick ([email protected]) by 15 March 2014. Position starts in fall semester (August) 2014.
- 4th National Conference on Environment and Biodiversity of India
North East Centre for Environmental Education and Research (NECEER), Imphal is organizing 4th National Conference on Environment and Biodiversity of India at New Delhi between October 04 and October 05, 2014. Abstract submission is open and deadline is August 31, 2014. Thrust areas include Floristic and faunal studies, Biodiversity Hotspots, Wetlands & Sacred Groves, Ethnobiology and Traditional Knowledge, Wildlife Protected Areas Forest management, Modern trends in Plant & Animal taxonomy, Freshwater & marine ecosystem, Climate Change, Natural Disaster Management, Environmental Pollution, E-waste and Solid waste management, Environmental laws & policies. For more details please visit http://www.neceer.org.in/.
- Students’ Conference on Conservation Science (SCCS) New York, October 15 to 17, 2014
The American Museum of Natural History’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation and its partners invite graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, and early-career professionals to take part in the fifth annual Student Conference on Conservation Science – New York (SCCS-NY). Interactions with established conservationists will encourage collaborations, inspire further research, and launch lasting associations. Be among the emerging generation of conservation professionals networking and exchanging ideas with leaders in science, policy, academia, and management at one of the world’s preeminent scientific and cultural institutions. Abstract submission and application opens on March 03, 2014 and deadline expires on April 04, 2014. The registration fee is $125 USD, which includes admission to three full days of presentations, workshops, poster session and reception, resource fair, special events, daily lunches, morning and afternoon refreshments, access to American Museum of Natural History exhibitions, and discounts in Museum shops. For more details please visit http://www.amnh.org/our-research/center-for-biodiversity-conservation/events-exhibitions/conferences-and-symposia/2014-sccs-ny.
Kausik Banerjee finished his doctorate degree on ecology of the endangered Asiatic lions in human dominated Gir landscape, western India. A graduate from Presidency College, Calcutta and a post-graduate from Forest Research Institute University, Dehradun, he joined WII’s research project on “Lion Ecology” in 2005. With the Asiatic lions occupying human dominated landscapes outside the Gir forests, his PhD thesis investigates lion demography, meta-population dynamics and economics of lion conservation. During his Master’s dissertation he worked in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary, central India for the assessment of prey base for the re-introduction of the Asiatic lions. His primary research interests include carnivore ecology and behaviour, with an emphasis on predation, ranging, habitat use, population dynamics and modeling human–carnivore conflicts.