SACON Coimbatore Animal Sciences RESEARCH BIOLOGIST Job Openings

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History

Moongilpallam, Anaikatty (PO), Coimbatore – 641108, Tamil Nadu. (https://www.sacon.in)

Advt. No. SACON/RES/RCTMT-ADVT-02/2021

Vacancy for Research Personnel under Projects

Application deadline: 18-Oct-2021 Walk-in Interview: second week of November 2021

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Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), under the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India,invites applications to engage research personnel (Indian national only),on purely temporary basis (initially for 06 months) for its various research projects envisaged under the policy framework of ‘Visionary Perspective Plan (VPP) for the Conservation of Avian diversity, their Ecosystems, Habitats & Landscapes in the Country’.  The selection will be through Written test/ Walk-in Interview,as applicable, to be conducted at SACONCoimbatore, for the dulyshortlisted candidates, during the second week of November 2021 (Exact date will be intimated to the shortlisted candidates by e-mail).

Details of the available positions under various projects and application procedures are given below.

I. DEVELOPING STATE LEVEL ACTON PLANS FOR IMPLEMENTING VISIONARY PERSPECTIVE PLAN FOR CONSERVATION OF AVIAN DIVERSITY, THEIR ECOSYSTEMS, HABITATS & LANDSCAPES IN THE COUNTRY. [Duration: 06 Months (Likely to continue)].

1. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 17 POSITIONS
   • Essential Qualifications: Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/ Wildlife Biology/ Wildlife Science/ Conservation Biology/ Biodiversity Studies/ Ecology/ Environmental Science/ Forestry/ Forest Ecology or any other related subject from a recognized University;
   • Desirable Qualifications: i) Knowledge of Indian birds and their conservation; ii) Familiarity with wildlife policy and management guidelines; iii) Excellent communication skill in English; iv) Proficiency in Hindi or any of the regional languages of India;
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: This project aims to develop State-level Action Plans (SAPs) for the conservation of birds, their habitats, ecosystems, and landscapes for select States/UTs within the policy framework of VPP. It is proposed to cover 17 States in 5 Zones in the current phase, each under the supervision of a Faculty Coordinator; each JRB will be assigned to a State/UT and will work closely with the RA in the Zonal Team. JRBs will assist RAs in collating primary and secondary information databases for the State/UT within the Zone, in coordinating with State Forest departments, and in conducting Stakeholders’ consultations; JRBs will also assist respective Faculty Coordinator in drafting the State Action Plans and in other project activities as assigned from time to time.
2. RESEARCH ASSOCIATE- I – 05 POSITIONS
   • Essential Qualifications: 1) Ph.D. degree in Zoology/ Wildlife Biology/ Wildlife Science/ Conservation Biology/ Biodiversity Studies/ Ecology/ Environmental Science/ Forestry/ Forest Ecology or any other related subject from a recognized University, 2) Minimum 5 years of research experience after M.Sc.
   • Desirable Qualifications: 1) Knowledge of Indian birds and their conservation; 2) Familiarity with wildlife policy and management guidelines; 3) Experience in drafting technical reports, conservation plans, research proposals, and project documentation; 4) Excellent communication skill in English; 5) Proficiency in Hindi or any of the regional languages of India, 6) Relevant Peer reviewed publications.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 35 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 47,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: This project aims to develop State-level Action Plans (SAPs) for the conservation of birds, their habitats, ecosystems, and landscapes for select States/UTs within the policy framework of VPP. It is proposed to cover 17 States in 5 Zones in the current phase, each under the supervision of a Faculty Coordinator; each RA will be in charge of developing SAPs for the States/UTs in a Zone and will work closely with a team of research biologists working on different States within the Zone. RA, under the guidance of Faculty Coordinator, is expected to build relevant information databases for each State/UT within the Zone, to coordinate with State Forest departments, and to conduct Stakeholders’ consultations, with assistance from research biologists in the Zonal Team; RA will also assist respective Faculty Coordinators in drafting the State Action Plans and in other project activities as assigned from time to time.

II. ESTABLISH A BIRD OBSERVATORY ON SACON CAMPUS TO STUDY THE PHENOLOGY OF BIRD MIGRATION AND BREEDING VIS-À-VIS CLIMATE CHANGE AND OTHER ECOSYSTEM PROCESSES [Duration: 06 months (Likely to continue)].

1. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology / Wildlife Biology / Wildlife Science / Conservation Biology / Biodiversity Studies / Ecology / Environmental Science / Forestry / Forest Ecology or any other related subject from a recognized University
   • Desirable Qualifications: i) Knowledge of Indian birds and their natural history; ii) Familiarity with fundamental ecological concepts including climate change and ecosystem processes; ii) Experience and skill in mist-netting, handling, ringing, and measuring morphometrics of birds; iii) Excellent communication skill in English;
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: Selected candidate will be required to stay on SACON campus and manage the activities of proposed Bird Observatory under the guidance of faculty Investigators; Expected tasks include regular monitoring of bird and butterfly populations, mist-netting and ringing of migratory and resident birds, monitoring habitat changes and vegetation phenology, working with automatic weather station and meteorological data, and assisting faculty Investigators in drafting periodic progress reports; JRB will be assisted by one Field Assistant.

III. ASSESS THE ASSOCIATION OF AVIFAUNA WITH ROCKY TIDE POOL ECOSYSTEMS ALONG THE INDIAN COAST [Duration: 06 months (Likely to continue)].

1. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: 1) Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/ Life Science/ Environmental Science/ Biotechnology.
   • Desirable Qualifications: 1) Minimum of three months of field and lab related M.Sc./ project work with dissertation, 2) Experience in Molecular work 3) Certificate course in Ornithology/ Field biology, 4) Excellent communication skills in English and Hindi.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: Sampling of marine water, flora, and fauna from the select rocky tide pools, identification of species, conducting molecular work in the laboratory, compilation of Data and analysis.
2. SENIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (SRB) – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: 1) Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/ Life Science/ Environmental Science/ Biotechnology, 2) Minimum of one research publication in peer reviewed SCOPUS/ SCI index journal, 3) Minimum two years’ experience in related research field.
   • Desirable Qualifications: 1) Experience in marine ecology, 2) Experience or Certificate course in Identification of Plankton/ Benthos
   • Age: Shall not exceed 32 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 35,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: Coordinate with the PI and the team regarding the sampling of marine water, flora and fauna samples from the select rocky tide pools. Undertake identification of species. Conduct molecular work in the laboratory. Compilation of Data and analysis. Help the PI in periodic report writing.

IV. GENETIC DIVERSITY AND PHYLOGEOGRAPHIC PATTERNS OF HOUSE SPARROW (PASSER DOMESTICUS) FROM SELECT LANDSCAPES IN INDIA [Duration: 06 Months (Likely to continue)].

1. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 04 POSITIONS
   • Essential Qualifications: JRB (Field Study): Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/ Forestry/ Life Science/ Environmental Sciences/ Biological Sciences/ Wildlife Science or any other related subject from a recognized University.| JRB (GIS): Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Geoinformatics/ Remote Sensing/ GIS/ Geography Wildlife Science/ Environmental Science or any other related subject from a recognized University.| JRB (Genetics Work): Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Biotechnology/ Biological Science/ Life Science/ Genetics/ Forensic Science/ Genetic Engineering or any other related subject from a recognized University.
   • Desirable Qualifications: JRB (Field Study): The researcher should have skills in bird identification and some knowledge of their vocalizations. Familiarity with mist-netting birds. Should be ready to spend considerably long stretches of time in travelling and staying in the remote places of different states. | JRB (GIS): Demonstrated experience/ aptitude in a) ESRI products (ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro), b) spatial analysis and ecological modelling, c) management of spatial database, Remote Sensing and GIS analysis, d) statistical analysis, and e) report writing. | JRB (Genetics Work): The researcher should have skill in collection of biological samples and genetic analysis including DNA extraction, PCR and DNA sequencing. Willing to travel to remote places in different states for collection of biological samples.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: JRB (Field Study): The task in the field would primarily involve collecting information on House sparrow, use mist nets to trap birds and collect biological samples, behavioural and ecological data, analysing them and write reports under the supervision of the PI(s).
   • JRB (GIS): Collect landscape spatial database, analyse spatial data and conduct field work (ground truthing and field data collection) as required for spatial modelling, quantify vegetation structure and analyse data and write reports under the supervision of the PI(s).
   • JRB (Genetics Work): Collect and analyze biological samples from field for genetic study including DNA extraction, PCR and DNA sequencing, data analysis and writing reports under the supervision of the PI(s).

V. EVALUATE IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINANTS OF AGRICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL ORIGIN ON WETLANDS WITH HIGH AVIAN BIODIVERSITY, USING FISH-EATING BIRDS AS INDICATORS [Duration: 06 Months (Likely to continue)].

1. PROJECT SCIENTIST – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: PhD in Chemistry/ Biochemistry from a recognised university with two years of experience in environmental residue analysis.
   • Desirable Qualifications: Five years of experience in the field of avian ecotoxicology with research publications. Experience in environmental residual analysis of contaminants using chromatographic & mass spectroscopy techniques.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 40 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs. 56,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: i) The selected candidate should develop chemical methods in extracting organic and inorganic chemicals from biological and nonbiological matrices and shall undertake extensive laboratory work independently, ii) should have had working experience with chromatography and spectroscopy instruments to quantify and qualify chemical contaminates, iii) should also visit different parts of India to collect biological and nonbiological samples, iv) analyse data and prepare reports independently.
2. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 02 POSITIONS
   • Essential Qualifications: Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/Wildlife Science/ Wildlife Biology/Conservation Biology/ Biodiversity Studies/ Ecology/ Environmental Science from a recognised university.
   • Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge on wildlife biology and conservation science. Good communication skills in English and Hindi.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: i) The selected candidate shall undertake extensive field surveys independently across India ii) Should work in the field that will include survey in forest, urban and agroecosystem, iii) collect biological and nonbiological samples from different parts of India iii) process collected samples in the laboratory for estimation of environmental contaminants and iii) analyze data and write-up reports.
3. JUNIOR RESEARCH BIOLOGIST (JRB) – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Chemistry/ Biochemistry from a recognised university.
   • Desirable Qualifications: Knowledge on estimation of contaminants and exposure to analytical instruments, particularly chromatography,
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: i) The selected candidate shall undertake extensive laboratory work independently, ii) should handle analytical instruments, particularly chromatography, iii) should also visit different parts of India to collect biological and nonbiological samples, iv) process and analyse collected samples in the laboratory for estimation of environmental contaminants and iii) analyse data and prepare reports.
4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANT – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: Minimum of second-class B.Sc. in Chemistry/Biochemistry from a recognised university.
   • Desirable Qualifications: Exposure in handling chemicals and estimating chemical residues
   • Age: Shall not exceed 25 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 20,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: i) The selected candidate should assist chemists in the laboratory, may also have to visit different parts of India to collect biological and nonbiological samples, ii) process the collected samples in the laboratory for estimation of environmental contaminants.

VI. NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMME- SACON [Duration: 06 Months (Likely to continue)].

1. NATURE EDUCATION ASSISTANT – 01 POSITION
   • Essential Qualifications: i) Masters’ degree with minimum 55% marks in Zoology/ Wildlife Biology/ Wildlife Science/ Conservation Biology/ Biodiversity Studies / Ecology / Environmental Science/ Forestry/ Forest Ecology or any other related subject from a recognized University.
   • Desirable Qualifications: 1) Knowledge of biodiversity, particularly birds; 2) Experience in conducting Nature Camps, Trekking and Nature Education activities; 3) Good Communication skills in English, Hindi and Tamil; 4) Knowledge and experience in Nature Photography and skills in Graphic Designing.
   • Age: Shall not exceed 28 years on the application deadline (18 October 2021).
   • Fellowship: ₹ Rs 31,000 + HRA
   • Description of Work: The Nature Education Assistant is required to coordinate all Nature Education and Extension activities of SACON.

How to Apply:

• The application should be submitted in the prescribed format. The format can also be downloaded from the link (http://www.sacon.in/careers/)
• Interested candidates, who fulfil all essential qualifications are required to submit the scanned/ PDF copy of the duly filled application form in PDF format, by email with subject line mentioning the name of the respective project and position applied to recruitments@sacon.in with a CC to rcsacon@gmail.com latest by 1700Hrs on 18-Oct-2021.
• The PDF file of filled in Application form should be accompanied by scanned copies of all supporting documents and testimonials as a second PDF file, with all the proofs of educational qualifications in chronological order (starting from the most recent one) followed by other documents also in chronological order.
• Each application form should be complete along with copies of testimonials of essential and desirable qualifications, research experience, date of birth, community, extracurricular activities etc. Please do NOT send hard copies of application forms.
• Applicants for Junior and Senior Research Biologist positions will have to clear a written test to qualify for the walk-in interview. The Exam will comprise objective type multiple choice questions and an essay type question to assess the subject knowledge and language skills at PG level.
• The candidates shortlisted after scrutiny of applications will be called for a written test/ Interview at SACON, Coimbatore likely to be conducted at SACON by second week of November 2021. (Exact dates will be intimated to the shortlisted candidates).
• The candidates will have to attend the test/ interview at their own cost.
• Candidates should report to the venue at 09.00 AM on the date of written test/interview for registration and should submit the hard copies of the filled-in application forms with recent passport-size photograph affixed, along with self-attested true copies of supporting documents for educational qualifications, research experience, date of birth, community, extracurricular activities etc.
• All original documents should also be produced for verification before the interview.

GENERAL TERMS & CONDITIONS

1. Candidates applying for the above positions should possess all the essential Qualifications (with originals of supporting documents) as on the date of interview.
2. A candidate can apply for maximum two advertised positions only. Candidates applying for two advertised positions should submit separate sets of filled-in application forms along with photocopies of all testimonials.
3. The upper age limit may be relaxed up to 5 years in the case of candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Women/Physically Challenged categories as per applicable Central Government norms.
4. Selected candidates will be engaged initially for a period mentioned against the advertised position. Subsequently his/her tenure may be extended at the sole discretion of the Centre depending upon the requirement of the project and satisfactory performance of the candidate.
5. Selected candidates may be allowed hostel accommodation at SACON as per availability. Other allowances and benefits to the research personnel will be admissible as per the rules.
6. Candidates should report to the venue at 09.00 AM on the day of test/interview with all original certificates.
7. Canvassing in any form is liable to rejection of the candidature.
8. The Centre will not provide accommodation for candidates appearing for the test/interview.
9. This advertisement and application format are available at the Website www.sacon.in
10. Applications received after the stipulated last date or not in the prescribed format or without essential qualifications or wrong information will be summarily rejected.
11. Selected candidates are expected to join IMMEDIATELY as the projects have a very tight timeline.
12. Selected candidates are expected to be FULLY vaccinated against COVID-19 at the time of joining.

Research Coordinator

Sálim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History, Coimbatore

Download the Application form in      MS Word format  PDF Format

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More Info: https://www.sacon.in/careers/

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