Salary: Voluntary position – unpaid
Closing date: Monday 5th February 2018
Location: Around Ipswich
Suffolk Wildlife Trust is looking for an enthusiastic voluntary intern to join our Ipswich Hedgehog Project. The intern will assist with a specific research project aiming to estimate hedgehog population density at our second study site in Ipswich, which is part of a larger study being run by Nottingham Trent University. You will work alongside our Ipswich Hedgehog Officer, Ali North and will be a valuable addition to the conservation team.
Closing date: Monday 5th February 2018
Interviews: Tuesday 13th February 2018
Start date: Monday 26th February 2018
Where you’ll be working: In and around Ipswich.
What you’ll be doing: The beginning of the internship will involve sourcing field sites for inclusion in further fieldwork, through undertaking garden visits, alongside our Hedgehog Officer, to check for hedgehog suitability (26th February – 1st April).
Night hedgehog surveys (11pm – 4am, between 1st April and 15th April) will provide the opportunity to learn how to detect hedgehogs using torchlight surveys and radio tracking during our mark recapture study. Further radio tracking (April 15th onwards) will take place to monitor and retrieve data from tagged animals and garden visits for camera trap deployment and retrieval will take place between 21st April and 20th May, followed by data collation and camera trap footage analysis (up to 1st June).
You will gain skills in science communication, the use of camera traps for scientific study and a range of hedgehog survey techniques. There may also be the opportunity to assist with public engagement and educational events.
The time you need to give: We are looking for a minimum commitment of 15 hours per week, for a three -month period. The internship will begin the week of 26th February, and finish on 1st June 2018, with the possibility of extension. Flexibility will be important; tasks will vary from evening and weekend work (Garden visits 26th February – 1st April) to nights (Hedgehog surveys 1st April – 15th April), and Saturday, Sunday and Mondays for camera trap deployment and retrieval (21st April – 20th May). Data collation will take place during normal office hours (Mon-Fri 21st May – 1st June).
The skills you need: We are looking for an individual with a positive, friendly attitude and excellent communication skills.
What you’ll get out of it: This position would be suitable for someone looking to gain experience in the conservation sector, or for someone with a genuine interest in wildlife research and conservation. You will gain experience in assisting in conservation research, science communication and hedgehog survey techniques. The project will contribute to local travel costs.
Contact details: Please send your CV and covering letter to Ali North, Ipswich Hedgehog Officer ali.north@suffolkwildlifetrust.org, detailing your availability, experience and why you would like to join our project. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
All applications must be received by Monday 5th February 2018.