Namibia’s iconic and near-endemic Welwitschia plant (Welwitschia mirabilis) appears to have few adaptations to the hyper-aridity of the desert environment where it grows. A key issue to resolve is how this non-succulent survives when reported transpiration rates appears to exceed meteoric water input by far. We aim to understand the species’ transpirational water losses over time and in different environmental settings as a function of hydrological inputs into the hyper-arid system, and in the context of a drying climate and land use changes such as mining and associated developments. Ultimately we hope to define more and better impact avoidance and mitigation strategies. This research would have a long-lasting impact on the conservation of this unique plant.
We are looking for a student to implement a three-year PhD in Natural Resource Sciences, in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences at NUST and funded by Swakop Uranium. The PhD’s aims will focus on aspects of Welwitschia eco-hydrology and eco-physiology. It will be implemented through field-based and (possibly) satellite measurements of climate and soil hydrological dynamics and the species’ physiological responses to these. The study will commence in June 2019. We offer a reasonable stipend and full funding of tuition costs and project operational expenses.
Requirements: The candidate must preferably be a Namibian citizen or permanent resident, have a valid degree at the MSc level in the natural sciences (especially ecological sciences), a background in ecophysiology, proven writing skills and a love of the outdoors. A basic familiarity with GIS and the R-package will be an advantage, as will be an existing home base at the central Namib coast (Swakopmund/Walvis Bay). We require a cover letter outlining your interest in the subject of biodiversity conservation, a description of your background in ecological sciences and your understanding of plant physiology and eco-hydrology, and a full curriculum vitae. Short-listed candidates will be asked to supply a copy of their Masters project report, copies of published papers, contact details for referees and certified copies of all academic transcripts.
Interested prospective students should contact Dr Theo Wassenaar at twassenaar@nust.na before 24 May 2019, should be willing to travel to Windhoek or be available for a video conference call for an interview at short notice and be ready to commence in June 2019.
The study is being implemented as part of the Affiliation Agreement between the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the Gobabeb Research Centre. The Gobabeb project Namib Ecological Restoration and Monitoring Unit (NERMU) is investigating a number of issues related to the possible impacts of mining and other developments on the biological diversity of the central Namib. The broad aim of these studies is to improve our general knowledge on the Namib’s unique biodiversity and their adaptations to aridity in order to enable better impact management and mitigation.