Reproductive Biology Support Officer

We are Chester Zoo. We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo, and we prevent extinction.

The European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) is the world’s largest regional zoo and aquarium organisation, with more than 450 Members in Europe, Western Asia and beyond. EAZA zoos and aquariums share a common philosophy that zoos and aquariums can and should be important centres of animal species conservation, and that we can make the greatest possible contribution by working together as a network. The EAZA Reproductive Management Group (RMG) is an active part of the EAZA community, formed to gather knowledge on the use of contraception in ex situ animals within Europe, producing contraceptive guidelines for institutions, EAZA Ex situ Programme (EEP) coordinators, and Best Practice Guidelines.

The Role

We have an exciting vacancy for a Reproductive Biology Support Officer to join the Chester Zoo Science Department on a 12-month fixed-term basis and work within our Conservation Physiology and Reproduction Team, in partnership with EAZA. This role will have a particular focus on evidence-based reproductive management, responsible for the maintenance of the EAZA contraception database, providing guidance to the EAZA community, facilitating reproductive management research, and providing a liaison role to the EAZA RMG. The successful candidate will report to both EAZA and Chester Zoo, with day-to-day line management provided by Chester Zoo.

The Reproductive Biology Support Officer will be based within Chester Zoo’s International Centre for Zoo Science. In addition to travel for approved meetings and conferences, the Reproductive Biology Support Officer will be expected to travel to the EAZA Executive Office, Amsterdam, The Netherlands three to four times per year to meet with relevant EAZA staff to ensure the RMG is meeting the agreed desired impact.

As a Reproductive Biology Support Officer you will:

Programme Support:

• Support RMG annual tactical plans including the stewardship of established partnerships including scientific and zoo bodies, such as universities, research institutes, government agencies, NGOs, professional bodies, global zoo associations and private sector organisations.
• Ensure continued functioning of the RMG as a service to the EAZA community:
• Provide liaison role to the RMG.
• Work with partners to maintain the EAZA Contraception Database.
• With guidance, provide contraceptive recommendations and reproductive summaries to the community. This includes but is not limited to ad hoc queries and Best Practice Guidelines.
• Promote the activities and services of the RMG on relevant websites, newsletters and conferences.
• With guidance, provide reproductive management advice, as appropriate, during LTMPs, to other regional associations, zoos and aquariums, EEPs/TAGs, and other working groups and committees.

Training:

• With guidance, support with the delivery of reproductive management training, providing comprehensive and innovative learning and content.
• With guidance identify skills gaps across the EAZA membership and develop resources and training opportunities to assist in closing the gaps.

Scientific Dissemination, Reputation and Credibility:

• With guidance, support reproductive management science, data-recording, and reproductive management tools:
• Advance reproductive knowledge by facilitating and supported prioritised research projects.
• Support dissemination of data to key stakeholders in peer-reviewed journals, grey literature, workshops, presentations etc.
• Prepare datasets for others/ facilitate research and applied use using Contraception Database data.
• Train users of the Contraception Database so they have the right knowledge and skills to record data appropriately.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Contribute to the EAZA Reproductive Management Group using technically robust scientific methods, particularly related to Reproductive Management.
• Effectively prioritise their own time.
• Work collaboratively across multiple departments and organisations to achieve common goals.
• Contribute to relevant lectures and workshops.
• Disseminate work to a wide variety of audiences (including peer-reviewed publications).

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of over 600 permanent and 500 temorary team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package:

• Fixed-term, 12-month contract
• 28 hours per week
• Salary of £21,000 per annum (pro rata)
• 33 days annual leave pro rata, plus the option to buy or sell holidays
• Opportunity for flexible / hybrid working
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• 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:

• Bachelor of Science, Master’s or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• A strong commitment to reproduction, animal health, animal welfare and conservation.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, lead, resource and deliver research projects on time and to a high standard.
• Experience with database management and data handling is preferrable.
• 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 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.
• Experience of working with diverse stakeholders, preferably in the zoo and aquarium community is desirable.
• Fluent written and spoken English and the ability to communicate with diverse audiences, including non-experts is essential. The ability to communicate in another European language is preferred.
• Evidence of peer-review publications is desirable.

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may take place whilst the advert is live and the advert will close once a suitable candidate is found. #J-18808-Ljbffr