Post Doctoral Fellow ExIn Situ Louisiana Pinesnake Conservation Full Time

The Memphis Zoo is seeking a highly qualified individual for a 2year Research Fellowship for a collaborative project to assist in the recovery of the federally Threatened Louisiana pinesnake. In 2010 the Memphis Zoo joined forces with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service U.S. Forest Service and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to release zoobred Louisiana pinesnakes onto restored habitat. The USFWS has provided funding to implement two Recovery Plan Actions: refine and implement technologies for propagating the Louisiana pinesnake in captivity and to assist with efforts to transmit genetic material between wild and captive populations to increase the genetic variability of the captive population which is based on relatively few founders.

The purpose of the PostDoctoral Fellowship is to broaden the Memphis Zoos progress towards its toptier wildlife conservation priorities. The Fellows responsibility is to develop new research projects and nurture existing conservationoriented partnerships within the current framework of funded USFWS Recovery Grant Proposal objectives that include activities in physiology molecular disease and field ecology research techniques to foster and improve Louisiana pinesnake population recovery in the wild.

In collaboration with the Senior Conservation Scientist the Research Fellow will coordinate and collaborate with partners at LPS breeding facilities at 4 zoological institutions ThreatenedEndangered Species Research Team (TES) US Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the Collaborative Conservation Genomics Lab (CCGL) at the University of Illinois to develop radio telemetry behavior and physiology monitoring research to understand zoobred reintroduced snake movement patterns habitat use acclimation and survival. The Fellow will also support ongoing disease monitoring and molecular testing of Snake Fungal Disease (SFD) and Cryptosporidium that threaten snake health; genetic research developing genomic lineage data of the captive assurance colony and wild populations; and reproductive research using assisted reproductive technologies to infuse wild genetics into the captive population. The zoo population of pinesnakes held by four facilities including the Memphis Zoo will be used to develop and test new techniques which will then be applied in the field. The technologies must be effective and practical in the field and this may require the development and testing of novel methodologies. This position includes a research budget travel to field sites partner institutions conferences and numerous professional development opportunities.

Application Deadline: Closing date for applications is March 7 2025. Review of applications will begin immediately and will be ongoing until position is filled.

Start Date: Immediate Negotiable preferred by March 2025.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Develop conduct and supervise projects that make a clear positive and measurable impact on the target conservation issues.
• Effectively communicate conservation and research efforts goals and accomplishments to the public.
• Successfully pursue networking opportunities and collaborations with universities and partnering Institutions.
• Secure external funding to augment internal research funds.
• Engage in media development and public speaking opportunities.
• Mentor nurture and develop research capacity in students interns and technicians.
• Foster a positive collaborative safe and encouraging professional environment.
• Perform various duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

• PhD in biological sciences wildlife biology animal science or related field. Masters level candidates with appropriate research experience will also be considered for this position.
• Experience designing and coordinating research projects.
• Strong record of peerreviewed publications in relevant disciplines.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in R statistical software or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Expertise in radio telemetry accelerometers and data analysis techniques.
• Experience in one or more of the following: Expertise in molecular techniques (qPCR) genetics assisted reproductive technologies cryobiology or endocrinology.
• Prior experience in field and laboratory research.
• Animal handling experience.
• Strong record of student mentorships.

Competencies:

• Proficient in MS Office and record keeping software & systems
• Records and reports creation and management
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Stress Management/Composure
• Flexibility
• Teamwork Orientation

Other Requirements:

• Valid drivers license.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.
• Clear driving record.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.
• 21 years or older.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a fulltime salary position that works up to 40 hrs/week and occasionally requires weekend and holiday work. Frequent trips to field sites in Louisiana can be expected.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions fumes or airborne particles chemicals and vibrations. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office or moderately loud while on Memphis Zoo grounds.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to sit talk and hear. The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel handle or operate objects tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb balance stoop kneel crouch crawl and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision distance vision peripheral vision color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibility: Students interns and staff technicians may be the supervisory responsibility of this position. Mentorship is an important part of this position and should be expected. This may include supervision on zoo grounds or in the field.

Reporting Structure: Report to and work closely with Senior Conservation Scientist: Beth Roberts

Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.

EEOC and Inclusion Statement:

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. Worldclass zoos are comprised of worldclass team members representing a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color LGBTQ individuals people with disabilities members of ethnic minorities and veterans to apply.

The Memphis Zoo is an equalopportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race color sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression age religion national origin citizenship status disability ancestry marital status veteran status medical condition or any protected category prohibited by local state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at

The Memphis Zoo participates in EVerify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of preemployment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drugfree workplace.

Application Requirements:

Application materials should include

• A cover letter
• A statement of research interests
• Curriculum Vitae
  • Names and contacts of three people who can provide letters of recommendation at the time of application submission.
  • All materials should be combined into a single PDF with the file name LPS PostdocLAST NAME and uploaded under Documents through online Job application portal at applications will not be considered.

    How to Apply: Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered.