Biodiversity Research Officer

About the role

The Biodiversity Research Officer at WCS Uganda reports to the Country Biodiversity Research and Management Coordinator and works in Kampala. The role leads and supports ecological research, wildlife population monitoring, habitat assessments and species-specific studies, especially in Murchison Falls Protected Area (MFPA), to strengthen evidence-based conservation planning. It covers field research coordination, data analysis, reporting and collaboration with the Uganda Wildlife Authority and other partners.

Key responsibilities

• Design, coordinate and carry out large mammal and plant surveys, habitat assessments and ecological monitoring in protected areas and WCS priority landscapes
• Develop and implement research protocols, data collection tools and monitor priority and threatened species, including elephants
• Supervise field teams and research assistants in biological surveys and species monitoring in MFPA, and take part in UWA-led research and monitoring
• Monitor elephant movements, ranging behaviour, feeding ecology and population demographics, and assess the effectiveness of electric fences and other human-wildlife conflict mitigation measures
• Profile and map communities around MFPA and generate evidence on wildlife movements, conflict hotspots and drivers of human-wildlife conflict
• Collaborate with the WCS global CWT team to collect and analyse wildlife crime data, and coordinate EarthRanger-led law enforcement effectiveness assessments
• Plan and coordinate field research, including workplans, schedules, budgets and logistics, and supervise field researchers
• Enter data into the WCS database, write technical reports and concept notes, and disseminate findings to stakeholders
• Contribute to research proposals, grant applications and programme planning, budgeting and reporting

Required profile

• Master's degree in ecology, environmental science, conservation biology, natural resource management or a related field
• At least five years of professional experience, including biological research and monitoring in protected areas in Uganda
• Experience managing field teams and delivering high-quality reports under tight deadlines
• Experience in activity planning, field budget management and accounting
• Experience in wildlife population estimation, ecological surveys and biodiversity monitoring, and designing field protocols and data collection tools
• Experience collaborating with UWA, district local governments, conservation NGOs, community organisations and technical partners
• Excellent English communication skills and strong interest in conservation

Required skills

• Sound knowledge of Microsoft Office packages
• R statistical software and ArcGIS / Quantum GIS
• Preferred: familiarity with EarthRanger, knowledge of research ethics and permits, frequent travel to MFPA, local languages (Runyoro and Swahili)

Candidates apply through the application tab by November 20, 2026; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. The salary is described as competitive and commensurate with experience.