Spider Identification Project - South Africa

Environmental Career Center; Limpopo; On-site; ZAR 200 000 - 300 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental organization in South Africa is offering an internship focused on studying arachnids in the Soutpansberg Mountains. Interns will engage in fieldwork across various habitats, conducting surveys and assisting with data management to support ecological research. This opportunity is ideal for students or recent graduates passionate about species identification and conservation efforts. Flexibility in duration, with an 8-week minimum stay recommended.

Benefits

Shared accommodation

Transport to/from Louis Trichardt

Biweekly town trips for supplies

Qualifications

• Open to students, recent graduates, or individuals with interest in arachnids and species identification.
• Comfortable hiking and conducting fieldwork on foot in rugged terrain.
• Able to work in variable weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Set up transects.
• Conduct visual encounter surveys and habitat assessments.
• Recording species presence, abundance, and behaviour.
• Assisting with data management and reporting.

Job description

The Lajuma Research Centre offers opportunities to study the diverse arachnid species of the Soutpansberg Mountains, shaped by geographic isolation and past climate stability. The mountain offers a variety of habitats from summit grasslands to mist‑belt forests. Students will actively search for arachnids in their natural habitats, contributing to long‑term ecological research and conservation efforts.

Internship Overview

Through mostly active searching, interns will search transects across habitats and elevations for spider species.

Key Activities

• Set up transects
• Conduct visual encounter surveys and habitat assessments
• Recording species presence, abundance, and behaviour
• Assisting with data management and reporting

Requirements

• Open to students, recent graduates, or individuals with interest in arachnids and species identification
• Comfortable hiking and conducting fieldwork on foot in rugged terrain
• Able to work in variable weather conditions

Duration

Flexible, with a minimum stay of 8 weeks recommended.

Conservation Fee

The fee supports ongoing research and conservation at Lajuma. It includes shared accommodation, transport to/from Louis Trichardt, and biweekly town trips for supplies.