[TABD] Internship opportunity for recent graduates focused on Butterflies - short deadline

[Keith Willmott]

The IUCN Sampled Red List Index for Butterflies:

Research Internships based at the University of Oxford / Institute
of Zoology
We are looking for Research Interns to contribute to a
collaborative project with the Institute of Zoology to help
develop the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and
Natural Resources (IUCN) Sampled Red List Index, with a particular
focus on Butterflies. The IUCN Sampled Red List Index can be used
to assess the current state and trends in global biodiversity. It
will enable us for the first time to measure our collective
success or failure at reducing the rate of biodiversity loss.
Further information on the Red List Index is available at
http://www.zsl. org/science/ research- projects/ indicators-
assessments/
The internship positions will involve compilation of data on the
conservation status of a subset of the earth's butterfly species
through literature searches and collaboration with an
international network of scientists and species experts. Following
training, interns will conduct Red List assessments on selected
butterfly species and prepare conservation assessment
documentation to submit to IUCN (including the creation of
distribution range maps). The internship will provide training,
experience and networking opportunities for individuals interested
in careers in conservation biology.
Candidates should have as a minimum an undergraduate degree or
equivalent experience in a relevant subject such as biology,
ecology, geography or environmental science. They should be IT
proficient, and should have strong research skills. Interns must
be hard-working and self-motivated with a strong interest in
conservation biology.

Please note that this is a voluntary position. Working hours and
the duration of the internship are negotiable, but we are looking
for individuals able to start during January 2011 and able to
commit at least 8 weeks of their time to the project. Volunteers
will be based in the Department of Zoology at the University of
Oxford. Occasional travel to libraries and museums may be
necessary, and appropriate expenses will be reimbursed.

To apply, please send a covering letter and CV to Dr Owen Lewis
(owen.lewis at zoo. ox.ac.uk) by WEDNESDAY 15TH DECEMBER 2010.