Nature Conservation Foundation is looking for a motivated colleague to join a new bat conservation project in collaboration with Bat Conservation International, USA. The candidate must be passionate about bat research and conservation, have strong communication and networking skills, and have demonstrable experience/​knowledge of wildlife conservation, scientific outreach, policy, and governance in the Indian context.

The selected candidate will work with the team lead towards developing a conservation plan for bats in India. The specific tasks will range from reviewing scientific literature, organising meetings, liaising with subject experts, and conducting fieldwork. The candidate will be expected to lead and/​or assist in the above tasks. It must be noted that organising an in-person, country-wide meeting of experts to review the threats faced by bats is an indispensable task in this project. The candidate will be expected to take charge of managerial responsibilities during that time, including bookings of venue, accommodation, travel and so on. Additionally, the candidate will be encouraged to think of short projects that they can lead independently to broaden the scope of the current project. The position is ideal for a freshly-minted master’s graduate who is looking for a broad overview on the bat conservation landscape of the country to plan future studies (example, a PhD project) or conservation projects. 

The position will be based at NCF’s Bangalore office with periodic short field visits to different parts of the country.

The duration is two years conditional upon a performance review at the end of the first year.

Salary will be commensurate with experience following institutional guidelines and DST/CSIR payscales.

Bachelor’s degree or (Master’s graduates preferred) in any discipline, with demonstrable experience or interest in working in the research/​conservation sector

• Strong interpersonal and networking skills and ability to interact with a diverse set of people (field staff, scientists, government officials etc.)
• Experience with data collection, management, and analysis
• Knowledge of the natural history of bats
• Knowledge and interest in conservation, laws, and governance issues in the Indian context
• Proficiency in English (writing, speaking, editing) and experience with writing reports, content, or scientific papers
• Proficiency in basic MS Office applications
• Ability to independently plan scientific or conservation projects

Desired (but not mandatory)

• Prior experience with bat research
• Prior experience in organising meetings/​conferences
• Fluency in regional language(s)

Please send an application package to Rohit Chakravarty <rohitchakravarty@​ncf-​india.​org> with (1) a one-page cover letter (filename: ​‘your name_​CL’) that explains why you would like to work with us highlighting your interests and suitability for this position (maximum 500 words); (2) CV of max. 3 pages (filename: ​‘your name_​CV’). Please include names and email addresses of two referees in your cover letter.

The subject of your email should be: ​“Application: Researcher – Bat Conservation Project – NCF”. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

The last date for submitting applications is 5^th October 2023, but the position will be open until a suitable candidate is selected. Please wait for at least two weeks after the due date to hear back from us about your application before contacting us again. The selected candidate will be expected to start work within one month of being informed of their selection for the position.

The position is for Indian citizens only. NCF provides equal opportunities irrespective of gender, caste, religion, economic background, sexual orientation, etc. Women and those from under-represented groups or disadvantaged backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

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