IISER Tirupati is looking for one or two paid interns to work in the Shola Sky
Island project from October 2020 to March 2021. One of these interns will work
directly with the Forest Department - Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary on an
active conservation/restoration project.
The broad goals of the project are to examine the spread of woody invasive
across the Sky Island landscape and its relationship with the bird community.
We are also assisting the Forest Department collect data to monitor restoration
of habitats in these areas.
Read about sky islands here
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/08/skyislands-and-western-ghats
<https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/08/skyislands-and-western-ghats>
, and about the spread of invasive here
https://thewire.in/environment/kodaikanal-plantation-grasslands-shola-eucalyptus-gaur
<https://thewire.in/environment/kodaikanal-plantation-grasslands-shola-eucalyptus-gaur>
Our lab group and other information is here www.skyisland.in/people
<http://www.skyisland.in/people>
Major roles for the intern include working with a field assistant to collect
vegetation structure data from multiple locations across Nilgiris and
Anamalais, and enter the collected data each day into a spreadsheet.
The intern working with Kodaikanal Wildlife Sanctuary will be stationed in
Kodaikanal and will be required only to collect vegetation data.
Prior knowledge of Shola plant species for identification is not required, but
some experience conducting field work and vegetation sampling will be critical.
Prior knowledge of all Shola birds is also not required as we are targeting a
few select species, but experience with birding is critical.
We prefer those who can bring their own motorbikes (geared or gearless) to
field for this project. We will pay for transport of the bike and fuel costs on
field (please discuss the details with us).
We are looking for individuals who can work in concert with a mixed gender team
of 8 others, but can function fairly independently with their own targets.
Basic field accommodation and food will be provided, but all team members are
expected to share field station duties.
Since this is a continuous field work position, it may not work for students
pursuing a degree (bachelors or masters) and will not be suitable for a masters
dissertation.
More details can be shared on request. Please contact Jobin Varughese
<jobin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:jobin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>> or robin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:robin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> or WhatsApp the number below.
Apart from exposure to the Sky Island landscape and occupancy sampling, interns
will also get exposure to other research being conducted in the landscape by
other students including on avian acoustics and bird handling and blood sample
collection.
Certificates of internship, and letters of recommendation to other institutions
or academic programs can be provided to all interns.
APPLY HERE https://forms.gle/teAW61M73bEEvoh77 ;
<https://forms.gle/teAW61M73bEEvoh77>
V. V. Robin
www.skyisland.in <http://www.skyisland.in/>
+91 9449002297
Twitter @vvrobin
Assistant Professor
Indian Institute of Science Education & Research (IISER) Tirupati
Karakambadi Road, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh India 517507
www.iisertirupati.ac.in <http://www.iisertirupati.ac.in/>
