environmental jobs in south africa

Are you passionate about reptiles and amphibians? Bushveld Biodiversity Research Centre is offering a herpetofauna research internship where you’ll contribute to the study of microhabitats and species diversity in a vast, ecologically rich landscape. About Us BBRC is located on a 27,000-hectare wildlife reserve—home to 17 antelope species and two of the Big Five—dedicated to biodiversity research and preservation. Our work spans diverse projects, including giraffe population monitoring, bird habitat research, vegetation studies, and documenting wildflowers, butterflies, and other insects. What You’ll Do Conduct field surveys to document reptile and amphibian species   Identify and analyze the microhabitats used by different species  Use camera traps, transects, and active searches to study species diversity   Assist in data collection and contribute to conservation research Gain hands-on experience in handling, measuring,...

Bushveld Biodiversity Research Centre (BBRC) is based in a reserve that supports an exciting diversity of birdlife, including iconic and sought-after species such as the African Fish Eagle, European Bee-eater, Little Bee-eater, Martial Eagle, Saddle-billed Stork, Woolly-necked Stork, African Spoonbill, and African Openbill. You may also encounter species linked to the reserve’s natural water systems, such as Little Grebes and Lesser Moorhens, making it especially valuable for waterbird research. Set within a classic savannah bushveld landscape, the area features diverse vegetation zones and natural pans that attract a wide range of bird species. These habitats provide excellent opportunities to study how birds utilise different environments—from open grasslands to water-rich areas. Project Overview This project focuses on monitoring the diversity of bird species across different habitat types on the reserve. By conducting regular bird surveys and recording species...

The Lajuma Research Centre, located in the Soutpansberg Mountains of Limpopo, offers a rare setting for long-term primate behavioural and ecological studies. The reserve supports all five South African primate species, including chacma baboons, vervet monkeys, samango monkeys, and two galago species. The diverse combination of mountain forest, grasslands, and rocky terrain provides exceptional opportunities to examine primate adaptation, social organisation, and habitat use. Internship Overview The Chacma Baboon Project at Lajuma Research Centre investigates the behaviour and feeding ecology of wild but human-habituated baboon troops in the Soutpansberg Mountains. This unique setting allows close, non-invasive observation of social dynamics, movement patterns, and dietary choices. Participants help maintain long-term monitoring by collecting field data on activity patterns, habitat use, and seasonal diet. Shorter stays focus on broad behavioural and ecological...

The Soutpansberg Mountains support a distinctive assemblage of reptile species shaped by past climate stability and geographic isolation. Cool rocky slopes, summit grasslands, and diverse forest systems create refuges for many endemic species. At the Lajuma Research Centre, interns assist in long-term reptile monitoring while gaining practical experience in species identification, habitat assessment, and ecological field methods. Internship Focus: Interns participate in reptile surveys and habitat evaluations across a range of environments. The project aims to document species distribution, abundance, and ecological requirements to support ongoing conservation and biodiversity research. Activities may include: Conducting visual encounter surveys and habitat assessments Recording species presence, abundance, and behaviour Supporting data entry, management, and reporting Fieldwork Requirements: All fieldwork is carried out on...

About Us The Lajuma Research Centre is home to more than 2,500 plant species and 600 tree species. They cover a variety of habitats including woody grasslands, mountain bushveld, mistbelt forest, and riverine forest, and their related floral diversity. Vegetation communities and structures are dynamic and need to be constantly studied. An array of vegetation studies can be undertaken in this unique landscape.  Internship Overview Depending on the project, interns will be actively identifying species, delineating environments or sampling vegetation communities, further expanding knowledge on this crucial aspect of ecology.  Activities may include: Ground truthing vegetation communities to update vegetation maps Alien and invasive species removal/mapping Focal data collection on species utilisation of key vegetation, eg Ficus sp.  Assisting with data management and reporting Fieldwork Requirements All fieldwork...