Number of vacancies: One

Position: Data Analyst

Chief responsibilities: Advise on and conduct environmental data analyses and assist with report/manuscript writing.

Last date to apply: November 15, 2022

Project details:

 Position and responsibilities: We invite applications from suitable candidates for the position of Data Analyst for research conducted in (a) the long-term forest dynamics plots in the Western Ghats, and (b) other ongoing research projects on plants and animals. While this appointment is for a longer-term position, we will offer an initial one-year contract to the successful applicant. The contract will be renewed depending on the performance of the candidate. This position demands that the candidate be a highly self-motivated, independent, and enterprising individual who will fulfil the following responsibilities of this position:

1. Advise on and conduct statistical analyses and mathematical modelling of forest dynamics and other environmental data in close collaboration with the research team. The analyst is expected to be highly knowledgeable in statistics in particular, so they may advise the team on the choice of appropriate statistical methods, conduct relevant analyses, and write up the results.

2. Assist with data management, organization and clean-up as needed.

3. Assist with writing up reports and manuscripts.

4. Help organize periodic workshops and meetings.

Location: The position will be based at Bangalore with periodic travel to the IISc Field Research Station, Masinagudi, Tamil Nadu.

Candidates must possess the following basic qualifications/skills:

· Excellent quantitative skills including statistical analyses and mathematical modelling in R (preferably) or other tools. · Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

· A Masters degree in statistics, mathematics, ecology or other relevant discipline.

· Ability to independently facilitate meetings and attention to detail and planning.

Candidates with the following additional qualifications/skills will be preferred:

• Understanding of, or prior experience with, environmental data analysis.

Remuneration: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and work experience within the range of Rs.25,000 + HRA to Rs. 42,000 + HRA per month (in accordance with GOI scales).

How to apply:

· Submit a complete CV along with a cover letter (not exceeding one page) clearly conveying why you consider yourself a suitable candidate for this position.

· Provide the names of two referees along with their contact details in the CV.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified; interested individuals are therefore requested to apply immediately. Short-listed candidates will be invited for virtual or in-person interviews in November 2022.

Please email your application to Prof Raman Sukumar at ecology.rs1@gmail.com with the subject ‘Data Analyst’.

About the research projects

Our team has been involved in long-term research on plants and animals in the Western Ghats for over three decades. Our projects include the Mudumalai Forest Dynamics Plots in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu. Established during 1988-1994, these are the oldest continuously monitored forest plots in India. The large 50 ha plot is the third oldest plot in the global ForestGEO network (https://forestgeo.si.edu/sites/asia/mudumalai). Over the years, data from this programme has yielded numerous insights into the functioning of this landscape in particular and forests in general (https://forestgeo.si.edu/sites/asia/mudumalai/mudumalai-publications).

About CES

The Centre for Ecological Sciences, founded in 1983 with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forests offers exciting opportunities for research in a variety of areas in ecology. Over the past 25 years, and more, we have instilled a tradition of rigorous enquiry in diverse areas of ecology, evolution and behavior. Our projects are often integrative and we use multiple approaches from theoretical and laboratory studies to field-based research to explore our research questions. A number of our research areas are breaking new ground in ecology while others have significant roles in conservation.