Chester Zoo

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Scientific Assistant

Reference: JAN20170750
Expiry date: 2017-01-19 23:59:00.000
Location: Chester
Salary: £19,730 Per Annum
Benefits: Pension, Healthcare Cash Plan

SCIENTIFIC ASSISTANT
Fixed Term (12 months) – 40 hours per week

We are Chester Zoo, and for over 80 years we’ve 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 keep the zoo going, from feeding the animals to discovering new conservation ideas, and giving our 1.9 million visitors an inspirational day out.

We work hard because we love animals, we care about nature, we love Chester Zoo and we 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 currently have an exciting vacancy for a Scientific Assistant to support the Chester Zoo science team in their delivery of applied conservation scientific activities which help to establish us as a centre of excellence for conservation breeding and animal welfare, and to ensure that our conservation and educational scientific activities both in the zoo and globally achieve the greatest conservation impact.

The Role

The Scientific Assistant will provide research support in the core applied scientific disciplines when necessary with basic research skills such as data collection and analysis. Most support will be required within our Visitor and Community Engagement specialism and will involve social science research methods, such as social survey data collection.

They will deliver general science lectures and talks to applied science stakeholders and also support the effective dissemination of Chester Zoo’s scientific activities through targeted communications.

The Scientific Assistant will support Chester Zoo’s scientific processes by supporting the zoo science processes which aim to determine project feasibility, effective compliance with Chester Zoo’s Research and Ethical policiesand ensure projects contribute towards optimising behaviour and welfare of animal collections and the conservation impact of Chester Zoo’s educational and conservation activities.


The ideal candidate will have:

  • A Bachelor’s degree in an applied conservation science field
  • A strong commitment to conservation and the educational role of zoos
  • Demonstrated ability to deliver projects on time and to a high standardThe ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal presentations and written communications
  • Proven ability to work in and contribute to a team environment
  • Evidence of research skills in a relevant field

In addition, the following would also be beneficial:

  • Knowledge and experience of zoo-based research and zoo operations
  • Experience in social science research methods
  • The ability to do general statistical analysis

Hours of work are 40 hours per week, worked Monday to Friday.

Salary is £19,730.34 per annum and in addition we offer a range of amazing benefits which can be found at http://www.chesterzoo.org/footer/careers/working-at-chester-zoo.

To apply for this position, please provide your current CV and covering letter stating why you believe you should be considered for our Scientific Assistant role.

Closing date for applications is Thursday 19th January 2017.