Postdoctoral Fellowship – Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island
Postdoctoral Fellowship: Understanding Mouse Impacts on Sub-Antarctic Marion Island at Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Pretoria. (image: Otto Whitehead)
An exciting postdoctoral fellowship is offered on our South African National Antarctic Programme project “Towards a comprehensive understanding of impacts of the invasive house mouse on the terrestrial biodiversity of Marion Island”. Sub-Antarctic Marion Island is one of the most isolated landmasses globally. The house mouse invaded the island in the early 1800s, and its impacts are manifold, and intensifying under climate change. This project aims to fill gaps in understanding mouse impacts on the island, with the purpose of informing the planned mouse eradication. This position will provide exciting opportunities to work on excellent long-term and/or spatially well-sampled datasets and inform island management.
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Additionally, opportunities to collaborate locally and internationally exist within this project. We are looking for a candidate with expertise in one or several of the following, or related fields: community ecology, isotope ecology, entomology, botany, trait ecology; or with an ability to learn the necessary skills. Their primary responsibility will be conducting and leading research into one or several of these themes. Opportunities for student supervision and teaching also exist.
The South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP) stands at the forefront of conservation and climate science in one of the most extreme environments on the planet—Antarctica, sub-Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. In line with its mission to understand, develop and conserve, SANAP plays a vital role in safeguarding this unique and fragile region. Antarctica, often referred to as a “living laboratory,” is the coldest, windiest, and driest place on Earth. Yet, it holds clues to the past and future of our global climate. The research conducted through SANAP is crucial—not just for understanding regional ecosystems—but for decoding the signals of global environmental change. 
Why Antarctic Conservation Matters: Despite its remoteness, Antarctica is not isolated from human impacts. Climate change, plastic pollution, resource exploration, and increased human activity threaten the pristine ecosystems of the continent and its surrounding ocean. SANAP recognizes the global and national significance of preserving the Antarctic environment and is committed to protecting both marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Through rigorous scientific research, SANAP contributes to global environmental policy, supports ecosystem integrity, and promotes the sustainable management of natural resources.
19 June 2025 marks 
SANAP scientists have been conducting long-term ecological studies on albatross population trends, breeding behaviour, and foraging ecology, using tracking devices and direct observation to better understand how climate change, ocean dynamics, and human activities are impacting these vulnerable birds.
A major step in protecting Marion Island’s seabirds is the 
The Southern Ocean: A Climate Regulator: The Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica is a house of climate regulation, absorbing vast amounts of atmospheric carbon and heat. SANAP researchers are actively researching ocean currents, sea ice dynamics, and carbon cycling to better understand how these processes are evolving in a warming world. (Photo credit: A Zietsman)
Protecting Life on the Edge: From the wandering albatross on Marion Island to microscopic extremophiles in Antarctic soils, life persists against all odds in these regions. SANAP’s biodiversity monitoring projects are uncovering the intricate web of life that depends on these environments — and how threats such as invasive species, plastic pollution, and climate variability are impacting these ecosystems. (Photo Credit left: M Greve, middle & right: CJ Scheepers)
Long-Term Science, Global Impact: With decades of data collection and continuous human presence at SANAP’s research stations, SANAP long-term research projects offer insights into environmental change. Through collaborations with international partners, SANAP helps shape global understanding of polar processes and their far-reaching effects. This World Environment Day, SANAP celebrates the resilience of our southernmost ecosystems and the SANAP community is dedicated to its preservation. As stewards of the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic, SANAP remain committed to advancing knowledge, promoting conservation, and ensuring these unique environments endure for future generations. (Photo Credit: Greg Hofmeyr)
June marks 
As South Africa’s gateway to the Southern Ocean and Antarctica, SANAP plays a vital role in environmental research and conservation in some of the planet’s most fragile and remote ecosystems — including Antarctica, Marion Island, and Gough Island. During Environment Month, SANAP takes pride in celebrating the unique natural heritage of these sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions, where pristine ecosystems offer critical insight into global environmental changes.
Marion Island, in particular, stands out as a hub of scientific activity. Home to one of SANAP’s permanent research stations, the island has been central to decades of biological and environmental studies. Its long-term monitoring programmes have produced a wealth of scientific papers and post-graduate research, offering rare and invaluable data on biodiversity, ecosystem dynamics, and the far-reaching impacts of climate change. These efforts are not only advancing global understanding of environmental shifts but also reinforcing South Africa’s commitment to science-based conservation.
Marion Island and Prince Edward Island, collectively known as the Prince Edward Islands, are tiny specks of land in the Southern Ocean, the huge body of water that encircles the Antarctic Continent. Marion Island is the larger of the two islands, with an area of just under 300 square kilometres, whereas Prince Edward Island is considerably smaller – a mere 45 square kilometres. With a summit of 1 230 metres Marion Island is also much higher than the 672-metre high Prince Edward Island. The two islands are close neighbours, with only 19 kilometres of relatively shallow water separating them.
The Prince Edward Islands, together with the other islands within the Southern Ocean, form part of a complex and productive ecosystem that has far-reaching influences. In turn the ocean dominates many aspects of the islands, from the way the vegetation grows to climate and geomorphology. The islands rose above the surface of the ocean after a prolonged period of underwater volcanic activity and the rocks and many of the landscapes reflect these tumultuous beginnings. From the jagged, almost surreal expanse of the black lava fields, to the many red scoria cones that dot the landscape, these volcanic origins are responsible for some of the most striking natural features of the islands. Despite the fact that today, researchers and managers visit them every year the islands still remain one of the wildest places on earth.
Text from: Publication Marion and the Prince Edward. 
