environmental jobs in south africa

WildComm Research Stations CIC is an independent, not-for-profit conservation organisation dedicated to demonstrating that private land can play a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity. We establish and manage research stations on privately owned land in Southern Africa, creating new models for conservation outside traditional protected areas. By combining rigorous ecological research, long-term biodiversity monitoring, and practical training, WildComm supports landowners in protecting wildlife while generating sustainable, nature-based income. Our work bridges the gap between academic research and real-world conservation, providing opportunities for participants to get involved in day-to-day fieldwork, data collection, and research activities, gaining practical experience while contributing to ongoing conservation efforts on the ground. Academic & Professional Development Our research projects are designed for students, graduates, and early-career professionals...

Are you passionate about wildlife conservation and large mammals? Join our research team in a breathtaking 27,000-hectare South African game reserve — home to giraffes, 17 species of antelope, and two of the Big Five — for an immersive conservation internship. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to meaningful conservation work while gaining field experience in a spectacular environment. Project Overview: This internship provides hands-on involvement in giraffe monitoring and broader wildlife research. While you will work largely independently, you will receive guidance, supervision, and support from experienced researchers. Your efforts will contribute to understanding giraffe populations, behaviour, and habitat use. Key Activities: Monitor giraffe populations: Identify and catalogue individual animals by building detailed identification kits using GiraffeSpotter, assess male-to-female ratios, and contribute to long-term population monitoring. All...

Lajuma Research Centre in the Soutpansberg Mountains, South Africa, hosts overlapping populations of the thick-tailed greater galago ( Otolemur crassicaudatus ) and the southern lesser galago ( Galago moholi ). The Bushbaby Project consists of a dataset spanning over 10 years on these species, focusing on their ecology, behaviour, and interactions. Internship Overview  Interns contribute to ongoing behavioural and ecological monitoring of two galago species, supporting a long-term research programme and gaining practical field experience in primate ecology. Key Activities: Collecting data on food availability (insects, fruits, leaves, tree gum) Recording behaviour Reviewing camera trap data to identify individuals Supporting demographic and ecological monitoring of known populations Fieldwork Requirements All fieldwork is carried out on foot, often over uneven terrain and in variable weather. Students should be...

Invertebrates are key indicators of environmental health and represent the majority of biodiversity within the Soutpansberg Mountains. The Lajuma Research Centre supports long-term biodiversity monitoring to document species presence, distribution, and ecological roles. Internship Overview Interns assist with surveys targeting a range of invertebrate groups, including insects, arachnids, and other terrestrial invertebrates. The project provides broad exposure to field sampling techniques and identification methods. Activities may include : Conducting sweep-netting, pitfall trapping, and active searches Documenting habitat characteristics and microclimates Photographing specimens for identification Assisting with data organisation and reporting Fieldwork Requirements All fieldwork is carried out on foot, often over uneven terrain and in variable weather. Students should be comfortable living remotely, hiking, and...

The Lajuma Research Centre provides a unique opportunity to study an exceptional diversity of birdlife within one of South Africa’s most ecologically varied mountain environments. More than 215 species have been recorded on the reserve, including the purple-crested turaco, narina trogon, cape vulture, violet-backed starling, African fish eagle, crowned eagle, crested guineafowl, and multiple owl species. The landscape encompasses woody grasslands, mountain bushveld, mistbelt forest, riverine forest, and clear mountain streams, offering an ideal setting for comparative research on avian diversity, habitat use, and behaviour. Internship Focus: This internship provides hands-on experience in bird monitoring, species documentation, and ecological field methods. Interns work largely independently while contributing to long-term data collection and broader conservation efforts at the centre. Activities may include: Recording species presence, behaviour, and...