Spatial Ecology and Land Use Unit
Oxford Brookes University - Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Director of studies: Dr Stewart Thompson sthompson@brookes.ac.uk
Second Supervisor: Dr Graham Wood, gjwood@brookes.ac.uk
Eligibility: Applicants require a minimum of a good Honours degree (2.1 or equivalent).
This studentship is open to UK and EU applicants (due to funding restricitions) on a 3 year full time basis, start date 1st February 2012.
Closing Date for applications: November 25th 2011.
Value p.a.: Bursary of £13,500 for 2011/12 (pro rata for this academic year).
This Studentship will provide an exciting opportunity to work in this evolving area of game reserve management in East Africa. You will join the Spatial Ecology and Land use Unit (SELU), in the Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Oxford Brookes University. SELU are an established research team already working on aspects of wildlife tourism in developing countries. The group has strong national and international collaborations and an excellent working relationship with both the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and private enterprises within the Mara. The research will build on the SELU's previous innovative work which uses WildKnowledge® software to consider ungulate response to wildlife tourism developments in the Mara.
The research will take place in the 8,500 acre Ol Kinyei Conservancy, established in the Mara ecosystem in 2005. The original area to be used for the Conservancy was selected by the Maasai landowners in conjunction with private investors. In the last year, 3000 acres have been added to the original conservancy with all livestock removed and the vacated by the owners with discussions currently in place to include a further 1000 acres into the conservancy. As such Ol Kinyei provides a unique opportunity to examine the response of key wildlife species to the changing management regime within the overall Conservancy, with particular attention paid to the recent/future acquisition areas. The research will therefore examine changes in wildlife species composition, numbers and distribution as a result of Conservancy creation.
The studentship will require a BSc or MSc in a Conservation Biology related discipline and must have good working knowledge of Geographic Information Systems. Knowledge of standard mammal and vegetation survey techniques, preferably in savannah ecosystems, are also required. In addition the student should be comfortable with working for long periods within the study sites in the Mara ecosystem. Appropriate training will be provided.
To apply for this studentship, please supply a CV and covering letter and supply scanned or photocopies of degree certificates and transcripts and if English is not your first language your English Language certificates. Additionally you must complete the university's postgraduate research application form and state the title of the studentship applied for on the application. You must ask two referees of which must be an academic reference to complete and send our postgraduate referee form, downloadable at: http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/applications/direct/research. Further information from Dr Stewart Thompson (sthompson@brookes.ac.uk)
Applications should be posted to:
Mr Philip Voysey, Postgraduate Administrator
Faculty of Healthcare and Life Sciences
Department of Biological and Medical Sciences
Oxford Brookes University
Headington
Oxford OX3 0BP
UK
Please note that applications will not be accepted by email. Interviews will be held in the week commencing 12th December 2011.
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/postgraduate/research
http://www.brookes.ac.uk/studying/courses/postgraduate/research/degree_types
http://www.hls.brookes.ac.uk/research
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