About Lajuma Research Centre
Lajuma Research Centre is nestled within a unique landscape characterized by valleys, cliffs, and mountain streams, complete with scenic waterfalls. The reserve boasts a variety of habitats, including montane grasslands, woodlands, thickets, and groundwater forests. This rich diversity of environments provides an essential setting for ecological research and conservation efforts. The GIS Mapping Internship offers students a chance to apply their mapping skills to support ongoing research and conservation projects.
Job Description
This internship focuses on utilizing ArcGIS or QGIS to bolster ecological and conservation work at the reserve. Interns will engage in mapping key landscape features and integrating spatial data into various research projects. The position merges technical GIS work with outdoor field experience, providing practical training while contributing to vital conservation research.
Activities May Include:
- Mapping the reserve’s camera trap grid, hiking trails, streams, waterfalls, and infrastructure.
- Verifying mapped features in the field using GPS technology.
- Producing layered maps to support individual research projects.
- Integrating project-specific data, such as wildlife movements or habitat use, into GIS systems.
- Assisting researchers in applying GIS tools to biodiversity, vegetation, or species distribution studies.
Requirements
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, recent graduates, or individuals with strong ArcGIS or QGIS skills.
- An interest in applying GIS to conservation and ecological research.
- Experience in creating maps and managing spatial data is advantageous.
- All fieldwork is conducted on foot, often over uneven terrain and in variable weather conditions. Students should be comfortable hiking and maintain a basic level of fitness.
Duration
A minimum of 8 weeks is recommended for this internship.
Conservation Fee
A fee is required to support conservation and research efforts on the reserve. This fee includes shared accommodation, transport to/from Louis Trichardt, and biweekly trips to town for supplies.