GEF7- SANBI WILDLIFE FORENSIC GENETICS
| Location | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Date Posted | April 27, 2023 |
| Category |
Tourism
|
| Job Type |
Contract
|
| Currency | ZAR |
| Street | South Africa |
Description
A postdoctoral fellowship opportunity is available within the Directorate Research and Scientific Services at the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) National Zoological Gardens to support research in animal forensics science in the southern African region.
Responsibilities
he postdoctoral fellowship is under the auspices of the project titled ‘GEF7 project (Pillar 1 Component 2: Enhance forensic and scientific support services linked to wildlife trafficking investigations) (hereafter ‘SANBI-GEF7 Pillar 1 Component 2 Project’), which is funded by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) for a period of 2 years.The focus of the SANBI-GEF7 Pillar 1 Component 2 project is to support the expansion of the DNA forensic analysis capabilities of SANBI and the South African Police Service (SAPS) Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for targeted South African species (birds, mammals, reptiles and marine species). The project will: (a) develop alternative laboratory technologies and approaches for forensic investigations; (b) provide training and skills development for laboratory technicians (sample collection using chain of custody protocols, biomaterial processing, tissue storage, forensic tests for species identification and traceability of source populations); and (c) procure additional laboratory equipment, materials and short-term specialist expertise. The project will support the implementation of the Barcode of Wildlife Project (BWP) in South Africa, and assist in the expansion of the central biobank database. In addition the project will be used to expand the South African “reference library” of DNA barcodes (established with Google start-up funding) for CITES, Red List or Threatened and Protected Species (TOPS) and/or illegal trade in these species
Applying Instructions
1.1) Access current technologies by conducting a review of literature for prioritized species/taxa looking at different levels of genetic variation to identify species, populations, individuals and family groups,
1.2) Investigate the current global genetic profiling systems for mammals, birds and reptiles,
1.3) Investigate the impact of current genetic testing systems in place for captive/wild origin (traceability), and 1.4) Develop technologies for forensic testing for prioritized species/ taxa; and
2) Prepare validation plans for DNA barcoding for birds, mammals and reptiles for specific DNA barcoding regions.
Value: A fellowship of R300,000 per year for two (2) years is available. Some running expenses will also be made available each year.
Application procedure: Each application is to be accompanied by a standard bursary application cover sheet (attached to this advert). Applications are to include a full CV; certified copies of ID, drivers license and academic records; two letters of reference (one must be from an academic supervisor); examples of published work; and a motivation letter (no longer than a page) describing the applicant’s suitability for the position in terms of skills, experience and published research. Send all documents to students@sanbi.org.za and students.sanbi@gmail.com with “SANBI-GEF7 Wildlife Forensic Genetics Postdoctoral Fellowship” in the subject line.