Overview

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation, working in over 50 countries around the world. Since 2007, ZSL’s EDGE of Existence programme (www.edgeofexistence.org) has sought to conserve the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species through raising awareness, initiating conservation and building capacity in countries in which they occur.

Role Profile

ZSL is seeking an experienced and adaptable individual to be our EDGE Marine Biologist. This role will provide technical input and oversight to develop the marine aspects (corals, marine mammals, elasmobranchs, sea turtles, fish) of the EDGE of Existence Programme. The marine biologist will deliver capacity building and technical support for in-country early conservationists through the EDGE Fellowship programme. They will also lead the development of larger-scale conservation projects including fundraising and maintain the scientific foundations of the EDGE Programme.

Reporting to the EDGE Conservation Biologist, this role will require working collaboratively with a range of staff across the society in particular the Marine and Freshwater conservation team and relevant researchers within the Institute of Zoology (IoZ). Therefore the successful candidate will need to possess excellent communication and organisation skills, have a solution-focused approach and the ability to make objective decisions under pressure.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide ongoing expert technical advice in the selection and mentorship of EDGE marine Fellows, focussing on project planning, project development, ecological sampling, statistical analysis and interpretation of results. This will involve site visits and time spent overseas per year. Where required provide technical advice to staff across the society.
  • Lead on and contribute to the development and delivery of training programmes in person and via remote learning. In person teaching courses include but are not limited to a four week Conservation Tools course (based overseas) and a two week Conservation Leadership course (based in the UK).
  • Lead on conceptualising, developing, managing and securing funding for the implementation of large-scale marine projects within the programme, and assist EDGE marine Fellows to scale up their projects.
  • Contribute to strengthening the scientific foundations of the EDGE of Existence programme, including the development of EDGE priority lists and zones, species report cards, and developing a research agenda for the marine aspects of the programme.

Person Specification

The ideal candidate will:

  • Have a PhD in a relevant subject, or equivalent experience, plus a strong conservation research background.
  • Have extensive experience in managing large-scale international field projects including planning, funding, implementation and reporting in politically challenging environments.
  • Be able to work independently in demanding field conditions, and have an aptitude both for managing field teams and for fostering relationships with institutional partners.
  • Have experience with one of more of the target taxonomic groups (corals, marine mammals, elasmobranchs, sea turtles, fish).
  • Have excellent written / oral communication and presentation skills.
  • Have knowledge and awareness of a broad range of marine ecological and social science survey techniques.
  • Have advanced skills in MS office packages, specifically Excel and PowerPoint and in data analysis tools including statistical (ideally R), GIS (ideally QGIS) and database (ideally Access) software.

Please note: This is a part-time, 1 year fixed-term contract (can be 3 or 4 days a week as desired by the post-holder). The successful candidate will be based primarily at the ZSL main offices in London, Regents Park, but may be involved in frequent international travel to provide technical advice to in-country collaborators, staff and Fellows, teach on the annual overseas Tools training course, as well as helping to develop new projects.

For a full Job Description please click here.

To Apply

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the “Apply for this job online” button below. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Sunday 17th December 2017

Anticipated Interview dates: W/c. 11th January 2018

The Zoological Society of London is a charity registered in England and Wales: no. 208728.