Post-Doctoral Research Assistant (one fellowship) Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi

Introduction
The Wyss Academy for Nature Hub East Africa, is strengthening its research arm in Nanyuki, Kenya, and seeks to appoint one Post-doctoral Research Assistant (PDRA) in exploring the impact of global warming on the regional climate, water resources, biodiversity and human livelihoods within the Ewaso Ng’iro basin, and countrywide. Specifically the PDRA will explicitly engage with the advisors on the Wildlife Corridors and Migratory Routes Initiative, which is one of Kenya’s Vision 2030 Flagship Projects for the Environment. This post is funded by the Wyss Academy for Nature (Hub East Africa), and in association with Save the Elephants and the Wangari Maathai Institute for Peace and Environmental Studies (WMI) at the University of Nairobi (UoN) where the PDRA will also be attached. Mentoring will be provided by all three organizations. The post is available for one year in the first instance, although funding will be sought for a further year.

Justification
Over 60% of Kenya’s wildlife live outside of National Parks. To ensure the ongoing conservation of Kenya’s wildlife heritage, it is essential that the traditional movement of wildlife through the landscape is facilitated by establishing “Wildlife Movement Corridors” (WMCs) that enable wildlife to reach traditional foraging areas whilst minimizing Human-Wildlife Conflict. Clearly, it is important that these WMCs are ecologically viable into the future, and that they have the buy- in of relevant stakeholders. Global warming is a major determinant of the future landscape, therefore the design and location of these WMCs need to take account of changes to the environment that might occur under climate change. In addition, human change to the environment through to 2100 also needs to be factored into the design and location of these corridors.

Approach
In collaboration with researchers from the Wyss Academy for Nature at the University of Bern, we will use the IPCC Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) in combination with appropriate Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) to explore how key climate variables and predicted human population growth will impact the planned WMCs through to 2100. Three approaches will be used:
(1) Statistical modelling of (plant or animal) species distribution in relation to the spatially gridded temperatures and rainfall predicted in 2050, 2070, and 2100;
(2) Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) using a form of maximum entropy modelling (MAXENT); and (3) Some form of adaptive Dynamic Global Vegetation Model (aDGVM) will be used to explore vegetational changes in response to the gridded temperature and rainfall projections through to 2100. This last approach is likely to be the responsibility of a PhD student using Bern University’s land surface model (CLM) with a dynamic vegetation module (FATES) under the supervision of Professors in the Climate Change research team at Wyss Academy. The outputs from these differing approaches, in association with predicted human impacts over this period (human population growth, differential urban-rural migration, changes in agriculture and infrastructure) will be used to examine the viability and resilience of the wildlife movement corridors into the future.

Eligibility Criteria
Appropriate candidates must already hold a PhD, preferably with at least two peer
reviewed scientific publications based on their research. He/she will be expected to have a strong background in ecology and conservation and be able to demonstrate prior competence in using appropriate RS and GIS packages, alongside reasonable coding skills linked to the R statistical and graphical environment.
Interested candidates should submit a detailed CV, plus a covering letter outlining their relevant skills and interests and provide evidence that they can work independently with minimal supervision. In a paragraph of no more than 300 words, the candidates must also indicate their understanding of the types of analyses they might undertake to explore the impact of climate and anthropogenic change on the distribution of wildlife through to the year 2100, and the kind of outputs that would be useful to local and national government advisors assessing the Wildlife Movement Corridors.
Additionally, interested candidates should provide:
1. Certified Msc and PhD certificates from their universities;
2. Registration to any professional organization, and standing status;
3. The names and contact details of two referees, one of whom must be familiar with their academic ability, and the other on field experience.
Additional Requirements
4. Must have excellent interpersonal skills, as research activities will involve community and multi-stakeholder engagement;
5. Must have excellent written and oral communication skills;
6. Must have the ability to work independently and as part of a group;
7. Willingness to undertake research in remote areas;
8. Willingness to participate in activities of the WMI, Wyss Academy, and Save the Elephants;
9. Ability to be a full-time researcher for the duration of the post-doc fellowship;
10. Willingness to support post graduate mentorship at WMI.

How to Apply
Please send your applications to wmi@uonbi.ac.ke and copy in hub.eaf@wyssacademy.org.
Thank you for your interest and we look forward to receiving your application (motivation letter, CV, employment and education references) via the online portal by the 31st May 2024.
Hard copy applications will not be considered. Interviews will be held in person or online for short listed candidates. Incomplete applications will not be considered. For enquiries, please contact Director, Wyss Academy, East Africa Hub at <hub.eaf@wyssacademy.org> with a copy to wmi@uonbi.ac.ke
Commencement dates of the Postdoc will be July 2024