Postdoctoral Fellowship
UFS-QQ Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre / Afromontane Research Unit
Towards Water Security for Phuthaditjhaba and greater Maloti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (Free State, South Africa):
Monitoring High-elevation Wetland Health using Bio-acoustics and Diversity Indices
The Afromontane Research Unit (ARU) is a strategic research hub at the University of the Free State (UFS) and the flagship research group of the Qwaqwa Campus (UFS-QQ). The vision of the ARU is to become ‘a continental leader in African mountain research, with an immediate focus on the sustainable development of the Maloti-Drakensberg’.
Freshwater is a critical resource for all life, but global change is already severely disrupting existing freshwater supplies. Human-driven landscape degradation, coupled with more frequent and intense weather events due to climate change, is affecting the hydrology and physicochemical characteristics of strategic water source areas in Southern Africa. One of the indicators of these disturbances is local and regional extinction of key freshwater biodiversity in strategic water source areas. As the physical maintenance of water production infrastructure is supported by diverse functional communities, reduced aquatic biodiversity further exacerbates the threats posed by global change. Traditional assessments of water quality and habitat health require intensive fieldwork and expert knowledge, making consistent monitoring challenging. At the same time, scientists emphasise the need for better monitoring of our watersheds, particularly in the highlands where much freshwater originates.
Through its Risk and Vulnerability Science Centre (RVSC), the ARU seeks to develop an acoustic wetland health index using passive bio-acoustic monitoring to monitor the quality of high-elevation wetlands in Maloti-a-Phofung Local Municipality (Free State). As the acoustic landscape of montane / high-elevation wetlands remain poorly documented and understood, this research will yield highly original biological data, while also creating a novel monitoring paradigm that has the potential to improve the conservation and management of our strategic water source areas.
This project is part of a collaboration with BirdLife South Africa (Dr Kyle Lloyd – Rockjumper Fellow of White-winged Flufftail Conservation), the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (Dr Nicholas Friedman – OIST, Japan), and the National University of Lesotho (Dr Peter Chatanga).
The ARU is seeking a self-led, physically fit, postdoctoral fellow to coordinate the High-elevation Wetlands Bio-acoustics programme, by
- managing existing field sites and expanding to new suitable sites in Maloti-a-Phofung Local Municipality;
- being the primary actor between the four partners;
- developing the Acoustic Diversity Index that can inform an Acoustic Wetland Health Index;
- supervising postgraduate students; and
- contributing to funding proposal applications.
In addition to the above, the fellow will also have the opportunity to be exposed to and contribute to the wide range of world-class mountain-related activities being driven by the ARU.
Fellowship details
One year with the option of renewing for a second year, depending on performance.
The fellowship is valued at ZAR220 000 for one year (12 months), with R50 000 for running costs.
Eligibility criteria
- A PhD degree in a relevant background discipline (e.g., Ecology, Zoology, or motivated other).
- Applicants must have obtained their doctoral degrees within the past five (5) years or be able to show proof of pending graduation in 2021.
- Applications from South African and international candidates are welcomed
- Candidates may not hold full-time salaried employment during the tenure of the award.
- Valid passport (as this is a transboundary area).
- Proficiency in English, both verbal and written, is required.
- The following intellectual/experiential background will be an advantage:
a. Analyses of complex data sets using multivariate statistics in the R-statistical environment, and use of Kaleidoscope software, machine learning, and passive acoustic monitoring equipment.
b. Conversational in Sesotho and Afrikaans.
c. Familiarity with Southern African grassland and wetland bird diversity would be an advantage.
Application requirements
Motivation letter (1 page).
Full curriculum vitae (CV) (including a list of academic outputs to date).
Full transcripts of academic record.
Copy of degree certificates.
Copy of South African identity document or passport (international candidates).
Signed letters of recommendation from three academic references.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by telephone/MS Teams. Applicants who have not received a response to their application by 30September 2021 can accept that they were not successful. The UFS reserves the right to re-advertise for this post if a suitable candidate is not found.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by telephone/MS Teams. Applicants who have not received a response to their application by 30 September 2021 can accept that they were not successful. The UFS reserves the right to re-advertise for this post if a suitable candidate is not found.
Application deadline: 30 August 2021
Contact person:
Prof Aliza le Roux
Professor: Department of Zoology and Entomology
University of the Free State: Qwaqwa Campus
Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba, 9866, South Africa
E: lerouxa3@ufs.ac.za
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