Conservation Scientist: Behaviour & Welfare

We are Chester Zoo, and for nearly 90 years, we have been a leading conservation and education charity, and an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction.

We’re also a team of passionate, talented, enthusiastic and expert people, doing everything we can to prevent extinction, from caring for animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and, despite all the recent challenges thrown at us, we still want to be the best zoo in the world! If you think you can help us to achieve that, then we’d love to hear from you.

We understand that conservation problems in the world are usually the result of the actions and behaviours of people. As such, we conduct social research across all our conservation programmes in order to better help halt and reverse the biodiversity crisis.

The role:

We currently have 2 exciting vacancies for Conservation Scientists to join our Science team, to work on our exciting behaviour and welfare research projects here at Chester Zoo.

You will support the Lead Conservation Scientist to ensure Chester Zoo maintains the highest external reputation and credibility as a world-leader in one of the zoo’s specialised areas of scientific innovation and research excellence. You will lead on specific programme projects, effectively translating scientific outputs from these research projects to maximise conservation impact to achieve Chester Zoo’s conservation strategies and mission.

Programme Support:

• Support the Lead Conservation Scientist in one of Chester Zoo’s core scientific programmes to deliver the programme’s annual tactical plan and support with the stewardship of the programme’s established internal and external partnerships to provide evidence to underpin wider zoo strategies and decision-making.
• Lead and effectively prioritise own time to enable the delivery of projects and other scientific outputs including effective calendar management, meeting organisation, and ensuring integrity and confidentiality of information/data.
• Annually deliver ~20% of the science KPI outputs from the programme
• Conduct scientific and/or ethical review of 2-4 of Chester Zoo’s conservation and research project proposal requests per year.

Conservation Training:

• Contribute to the Conservation Training Academy through the annual delivery and/or co-delivery of up to 2-4 training events such as external professional courses, graduate and post-graduate level lectures, and/or internal lectures, based on the programme expertise.
• Additionally, support the Lead Conservation Scientist with the co-supervision and/or technical training of ~ 2-4 students annually including Scholars (Doctoral, MPhil or MRes students), science volunteer work placement students and/or other students (MSc and/or undergraduate).

Scientific Dissemination, Reputation and Credibility:

• Support the Lead Conservation Scientist in one of Chester Zoo’s core scientific programmes and successfully contribute to Chester Zoo’s mission by designing and delivering novel robust scientific research.
• Lead on programme-specific independent projects (~ 5-10 / year) through scientific innovation and delivery of original research projects and outputs, both personally and through the co-supervision and/or technical training of students.
• Lead on annually publishing ~1-2 peer-reviewed original research papers. Contribute to the advancement of collaborators peer-review and dissemination activities (~1-2 per year).
• Work with Marketing, PR, Education and Communications teams to share and disseminate own research and activities (2-5/year) with a wide variety of audiences.
• Lead on producing scientific materials to support evidence-based practices and inform policy, including ~ 5-10 management advice/reports per year.
• Support the Lead Conservation Scientist in influencing external professional associations at a national level through member participation and/or development of new methods or standards within an area of scientific expertise.

The Package:

• Permanent contract
• 40 hours per week
• Salary of £29,891.85 per annum rising to £31,223.05 from 01st April 2024
• 33 days annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our requirements:

• Masters or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, lead, resource and deliver research projects on time and to a high standard
• Evidence with data analysis and statistical packages relevant to the field
• Ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal presentations and written communications, including scientific writing and media communications to a variety of stakeholders
• Ability to maintain and influence partnerships and collaborations to enable project delivery
• Proven ability to effectively work in and contribute to a team environment
• Have knowledge of zoos and their conservation function

Although not essential, the following would be desirable:

• Evidence of effective training and/or student supervision
• Evidence of peer-review publications

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We would recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you complete the application as promptly as possible as interviews may take place whilst the advert is live.