Senior Spatial Shark Ecologist

How to apply?

Interested persons should send the following information by e-mail to pro.seleccion@fcdarwin.org.ec 

• Updated CV 

• One-page letter of interest describing his/her competencies meeting or exceeding the  minimum requirements for this position 

• The names and emails of two professional references. Letters will only be requested if a candidate advances to an initial interview round. 

Kindly send all the application material as one PDF document. If more details are needed, please,  do not hesitate to contact us at the e-mail address provided above.

About the job

Job summary

The Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands (CDF) is recruiting a Senior Spatial Ecologist to join our shark research team and strengthen the ongoing long-term research on shark population ecology and conservation conducted by the CDF. The selected candidate will integrate the core technical team of a five-year project ("Habla Tiburón" project), funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
We are seeking a motivated professional committed to the conservation of sharks and marine ecosystems of the Galapagos Marine Reserve and wider Eastern Tropical Pacific. The research conducted by the spatial ecologist should generate state-of-the-art scientific information and improved knowledge that will provide stakeholders and decision makers with knowledge to make informed decisions related to management and conservation in the Ecuadorian Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ), including the Galapagos Islands.
Position Objective
The Senior Spatial Ecologist will join a new project that aims to improve the long-term viability of shark and ray populations in Ecuadorian waters by: 1) strengthening participatory governance of the fisheries responsible for the highest shark catches; 2) strengthening monitoring, control and enforcement capabilities of stakeholders to combat IUU fishing in the Ecuadorian sea; and 3) collaborate with fishing sectors to implement best fishing practices to reduce by-catch and fishing mortality of sharks and rays in Ecuador.
The Senior Spatial Ecologist will be responsible for developing and implementing research to describe the spatial dynamics of the main oceanic shark species and the fishing dynamics of the national and international fishing fleets that catch them. As part of a team, this scientist will analyze shark movement data from satellite tracking, fisheries-dependent and fisheries-independent spatial data related to shark distribution and abundance, as well as remote sensing data of the fishing fleets in the region. Based on these analyses, the Senior Spatial Ecologist will generate the necessary scientific information for the project activities related to the management and conservation of shark populations in Ecuadorian waters.
Activities
The selected candidate will maintain a close and active interaction with the Principal Investigators of the Shark Ecology Project. The selected person will also collaborate in close relationship with other team members and close partners of the project, including NGOs, industry and government. Additionally, the selected candidate may co-develop collaborative initiatives with local, national and international institutions, and will work alongside the Galapagos National Park Directorate (GNDP) and with other strategic partners.
The main responsibilities of the position are:
• Conduct research on shark ecology, with a focus on understanding the spatial dynamics of shark populations and interactions with fishing fleets in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. • Analyze a range of datasets (including satellite telemetry, fisheries, remote sensing and population monitoring data) and employ advanced analytical techniques to investigate the distribution, abundance and area use of sharks in the region.
• Investigate the influence of environmental and anthropogenic drivers on spatial use, movement patterns and seasonal variabilities of shark populations in the region.
• Engage in a range of fieldwork activities and expeditions to collect data for the project. • Collaborate with other scientists and stakeholders to collect and analyze data, including satellite telemetry, fisheries and social data to identify key factors affecting shark
populations.
• Work closely with NGOs, government agencies and other stakeholders to promote sustainable fishing practices and support the implementation of evidence-based
conservation measures.
• Assist with the capacity building and training of government officials, fisherfolks and other key stakeholders.
• Engage in educational and public outreach initiatives related to shark conservation. Deliver presentations, participate in workshops, and contribute to community engagement
activities.
• Supervise and provide mentorship to junior researchers and volunteers. Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, ensuring the professional development of team members.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals to contribute to the regional and global knowledge on shark ecology and conservation.
• Assist on report writing and general communication of the project.


Qualifications


1. Ph.D. in Marine Biology, Ecology, Remote Sensing, or a related field, with a specialization in spatial ecology.
2. A minimum of 2 years of professional experience conducting research on shark ecology, spatial ecology, fisheries science, or related fields, preferably in marine ecosystems. 3. Strong analytical and quantitative skills, with proficiency/ advanced level of knowledge in analytical software such as R and ArcGIS, or similar.
4. Proficiency in spatial analysis techniques, remote sensing, and statistical modeling, with a strong understanding of their application to ecological research and conservation.
5. Expertise in analyzing satellite telemetry data in the context of spatial analysis and its application to management and conservation.
6. Extensive fieldwork experience, including data collection in marine environments in remote locations and challenging conditions.
7. Demonstrated track record of publishing research findings in high-impact scientific journals 8. Project management skills, including the ability to design and execute research projects, manage staff and manage budgets, and meet deadlines.
9. Experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders, including scientists, local communities, and government agencies, to achieve common conservation goals.
10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Some Spanish is desired.
Desirable qualifications
• Advanced experience in scientific diving (Rescue Diver or higher, with at least 100 scientific dives). Ability and/or certification in freediving is also desirable.
• Previous experience with capture, manipulation, and tagging of sharks.
• Knowledge of marine conservation issues, particularly in the context of the Eastern Tropical Pacific and shark populations.
• Ability/experience organizing and carrying out successful workshops, meetings and other participatory methodologies with authorities and users of natural resources.
The ideal candidate will ideally meet most, though not necessarily all, of the aforementioned criteria. If you believe you possess unique skills that align well with the role and are highly motivated, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement.
Employment Conditions
The Senior Spatial Ecologist will be based at the Charles Darwin Research Station in Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.


The Researcher will faithfully fulfill the norms, regulations, and manuals of procedures of the CDF; in addition, he/she will observe and follow strictly the standards and regulations set by the GNPD. Among the practices of this: follow authorized trails, do not remove sand, stones, or elements of nature, and DO NOT introduce any foreign element into the ecosystem, such as food, plants, and pets.
The working schedule for the CDF is from 07:45-12:30 and 14:00 - 17:15. Due to the nature of the position (fieldwork, unexpected activities), the hired person must be flexible. The position may require field expeditions and work during late evenings or weekends.
The Human Resources department at CDF will oversee all residency papers related to the hiring process but will require the candidate’s assistance to obtain the necessary legal documents. For foreigners, a work visa must be applied for and issued by the Ecuadorian government. CDF will also oversee the processing the Galapagos residence permit for the selected candidate.