Overview

Overview
We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

Role Profile
ZSL and our partner organization, the Arribada Initiative, require a data collection specialist to support the development of an early warning system to detect the presence of Asian elephants using low-cost thermal cameras. This role is an excellent opportunity to gain experience understanding how conservation technologies can help to mitigate human-wildlife conflict, working under guidance from ZSL’s Zoo Research Officer and the Arribada Initiative’s Project Manager to collect and manage a database of elephant thermal images and to record behavioral observations as part of an ongoing study.

The candidate will be based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo.  The internship will be either 3 months full-time or 6 months part-time depending on your availability, ideally starting in May 2019. Please note that this is a paid internship, set at the minimum wage of £8.21 per hour and there is the possibility of accommodation on-site at Whipsnade Zoo.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Assist with planning a data collection survey at Whipsnade Zoo.
Coordinate the daily collection of thermal photographs.
Collect data using manually operated and automatically operated thermal cameras according to a predetermined methodology.
Supervise any data collection by elephant keepers or volunteers to ensure adherence to the data collection methodology.
Manage and organize the database of thermal images.
Prepare and provide data to third-party partners.
Collect baseline behavioral data, covering agreed priority areas, for the Whipsnade Zoo elephant group
Regularly speak with and provide updates to the Arribada Initiative’s Project Manager.
Person Specification
You should have experience collecting and managing data, the ability to interact professionally and effectively with all involved parties and the confidence to provide direction to others during data collection when needed; a team player and motivated with an interest in conservation. Proficiency with Microsoft Excel would be a strong advantage.

In this role, the successful candidate will benefit from:

Experience in data collection and management
Experience of working on an exciting, innovative and collaborative conservation project
Experience with project management
Training and support from ZSL’s Conservation Technology Unit and the Arribada Initiative
Experience interacting with multiple partners and staff support across ZSL
Access to ZSL facilities including the Library and both Zoo sites (ZSL London and ZSL Whipsnade) for the duration of the internship