The World Heritage Site of Aldabra Atoll, one of the largest coral atolls in the world, is uninhabited except for a small team of researchers, wardens and volunteers. Aldabra’s isolation and difficulty to reach have ensured that the atoll’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity remain virtually undisturbed. The Seychelles Islands Foundation, set up in 1979 to manage and protect the World Heritage Sites of Seychelles, is currently seeking an experienced field ecologist to manage the science and conservation programme on Aldabra.

JOB DUTIES
The key duties of the Research Officer are to:
• Ensure that the research and conservation programme, including all research and monitoring, is carried out efficiently.
• Cooperate with the Island Manager on all matters concerning the research facilities, field trips, visiting scientists, volunteers and other visitors.
• Supervise the work of all rangers and scientific volunteers and to oversee the boatmen and field staff when at field sites and camps.
• Assist and advise visiting research groups and to ensure that such groups comply with the regulations when in the field.
• Maintain and update all records and data and ensure that they are kept organised and are easily accessible.
• Write a monthly report covering details of the science and conservation programmes, and other activities carried out by rangers, volunteers and visiting scientists.
• Maintain all Aldabra specimen collections in good order, including the herbarium collection.
• Maintain the library and inform the CEO of library requirements and new publications requests.
• Assist wherever possible in the education and training of the rangers and field assistants and to encourage self-improvement through further education.
• Preparing manuscripts for submission to scientific journals on subjects which have been identified and approved by SIF management.

QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
• Post-graduate degree (preferably PhD) in environmental science, biology or ecology
• Minimum 3 years experience in field research and conservation, preferably in the tropics, including proven field skills in monitoring and census techniques of a range of marine and/or terrestrial species and proven research skills in marine or terrestrial ecology including experience with large databases, statistical analysis, GIS and report-writing.
• Demonstrated ability to produce high quality outputs such as reports, papers, presentations and posters
• Experience managing a team and working as part of it
• Demonstrated experience of living in remote conditions in small groups for considerable periods of time

PARTICULAR SKILLS REQUIRED
• Diving qualifications desirable (minimum PADI rescue diver or equivalent preferred)
• First Aid certificate essential
• Boat handling skills/qualifications an asset
• Strong research and report-writing skills
• Good IT skills an asset
• Additional practical skills, e.g. carpentry, mechanics, are desirable
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluency in English is essential
• Ability to work independently and as a team member
• Ability to live and work for long periods of time in remote conditions with a small group of people
The successful candidate will be:
• enthusiastic, motivated and motivating
• very flexible and resourceful; able to respond to multiple and varying demands
• well organised with strong written and verbal communication skills

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION
The successful applicant will be based on Aldabra Atoll for two years with one break of 1 month logistics permitting during this period. SIF will arrange all transport to and from Aldabra from Mahé. The Research Officer is responsible to the Chief Executive Officer of SIF and may, from time to time be called upon to deputise for the Island Manager of Aldabra during his/her absence from the station or during periods of change-over.
Although the first responsibility of the Research Officer is to the SIF science and conservation programme, he/she may carry out a small research project, with prior authorisation from the science committee.

TO APPLY
Please send your CV and a cover letter explaining your interest and identifying your specific skills to Dr Frauke Fleischer-Dogley ( This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The CV should include the names and contact details of two referees and whether these can be taken up prior to interview.

To overlap with the current Research Officer, a start time of early-mid July would be ideal. Applications should therefore be submitted as soon as possible and not later than 15 April 2008.