University Of South Africa (unisa) · Nationwide / location varies · posted today
Veterinary Post Doctoral Position We seek a recently qualified veterinarian that has a specific interest in wildlife research to undertake a variety of studies and complement our existing research efforts. We require the incumbent to contribute to current projects by undertaking a variety of wildlife immobilisations in addition to his / her research activities. We would like the veterinarian to develop his / own research projects within the context of ABEERU. Two projects that we envisage initiating that have a specific wildlife veterinary flavour include: 1. Health, Morphology and Population Genetics of Black-backed Jackals and Brown Hyaenas reliant on Vulture supplementary sites Vulture restaurants (VRs) are established primarily to provide predictable, uncontaminated food resources for vultures. However, the long-term provision of concentrated food subsidies may also influence other scavenging mammals that exploit these resources. Where a VR has operated continuously for several decades, it provides a unique opportunity to investigate the ecological and biological consequences of sustained anthropogenic food supplementation. This project will investigate the long-term effects of a VR that has been operational for over 30 years and where domestic livestock carcasses (specifically domestic pigs) have historically constituted the dominant food resource. The study will focus on two important mammalian scavengers, the black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) and brown hyaena (Parahyaena brunnea). The central premise is that prolonged access to an abundant and predictable anthropogenic food subsidy may influence these species at multiple biological levels. The overall aim will be to determine whether long-term access to a concentrated anthropogenic food subsidy has influenced the nutritional and physiological health, morphology, relatedness and population genetic structure of the black-backed jackal and brown hyaena population proximate to the VR. The study will: • Assess nutritional and physiological health • Characterise morphological variation • Determine relatedness among individuals • Assess genetic diversity and population genetic structure • Integrate physiological, morphological and genetic data The project addresses an important but poorly understood consequence of wildlife supplementary feeding. While VRs are generally established for conservation purposes, their ecological effects may extend beyond their intended target species. The findings will have direct relevance for the management of VRs and other supplementary feeding programmes. They will help determine whether such interventions have unintended consequences for non-target species, including changes in nutritional condition, body morphology, population structure, relatedness and genetic diversity. The project therefore provides a strong interdisciplinary platform for a veterinary postdoctoral researcher while contributing to broader questions concerning wildlife health, conservation management and the ecological consequences of anthropogenic resource subsidies. 2. Do nature reserves act as reservoirs for damage causing animals in farmlands? The focus of this study is to use molecular techniques to understand the relatedness between black-backed jackals and caracals in conservation areas to black-backed jackals and caracals on farmlands. The genetic material from damage causing animals will be derived from culled animals on farmlands. The veterinarian will capture animals in conservation areas and collect genetic material to compare to material from culled animals. The aim of this study is to establish the relatedness between damage causing animals on farmlands and those in conservation areas. This will allow us to determine whether conservation areas act as source populations that contribute animals that prey on livestock. Requirements • A BVSc degree with a specialisation in wildlife veterinary practice, obtained within the past five years. • Demonstrable experience in wildlife related veterinary practice, including the chemical capture of free roaming (not exclusively zoo or captive animals) wild animals (preferably including a spectrum of species). • An interest in wildlife veterinary research. • A track record of peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations relevant to wildlife research. • The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary research team. • Willingness and ability to travel to various field sites to undertake and oversee fieldwork and data collection. • International applicants should be aware that they will need to apply for the necessary equivalence certifications from the South African Veterinary Council so that they can operate unsupervised in South Africa. Responsibilities The successful candidate will be expected to: • Produce at least three peer-reviewed scientific publications per annum. • Present research findings at a minimum of one scientific conference per annum, subject to funding availability. • Submit quarterly reports documenting research activities, progress and outputs. • Participate in fieldwork, data collection and analyses associated with existing and newly developed research projects. • Contribute to the planning, implementation and management of studies relating to the ecology and biology of wild animals. • Develop and lead an independent research project aligned with the broader research interests of ABEERU. • Identify potential funding opportunities and prepare research grant proposals to support independent research development. • Obtain the necessary ethical clearance, research permits and other approvals for newly developed research projects, where applicable. • Contribute to scientific publications, collaborative research initiatives and the broader research activities of the Unit. Affiliation and application The successful candidate will be affiliated to ABEERU within the Department of Environmental Sciences, UNISA, and will be hosted jointly by Professor L.R. Brown and Dr H. Melville. If you are interested in applying for this position, please submit you application to Dr Haemish Melville (melviha@unisa.ac.za ), cc’d to Professor L.R. Brown (LRBrown@unisa.ac.za). Please include the following as attachments to your emailed application, with “Small Predator Postdoc” in the subject line: 1. A cover letter. 2. Your CV (that includes a comprehensive description of your field experience, particularly as it relates to capture and monitoring of wild predators and your ability to work in remote locations), including three contactable references. 3. A certified copy of your PhD certificate (or letter verifying that you have submitted your PhD for examination). Deadline: 30 November 2026
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