Post Doctoral Fellow in ExIn Situ Conservation Gorillas Tigers or Elephants Full Time

Memphis Zoo is seeking an independently motivated ambitious and highly energetic individual for a 3year postDoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Conservation and Research. Specifically the Memphis Zoo is seeking a candidate with experience linking exsitu and insitu Conservation with specialization in felids primates or elephants.

We seek a passionate conservation biologist with the skills experience and desire to advance one of these programs by combining ex situ and in situ research projects. The successful candidate may approach the challenge from a wide range of perspectives including but not limited to zoology systematics evolution genetics ecology animal behavior biophysics microbiology nutrition or sociobiology.

Post Doctoral Fellow

Summary:

The purpose of the PostDoc 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 focused on advancing one of the Zoos three flagship conservation programs gorillas tigers and elephants.

Essential Dates:

• This is a 3year appointment.
• Completed applications are due 04/01/2025 (see application requirements).
• Anticipated start date for position is 08/01/2025.

Essential Job Functions:

• 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.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• 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.
• Strong record of applying to and securing grants.
• Proficiency in R statistical software or equivalent.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 5 years of experience developing leading and managing research projects.
• Ability to cultivate and maintain effective working relationships with a diversity of groups including various departments within the zoo university collaborators state and federal agencies and the public.
• Effective articulation of scientific discoveries and conservation issues to the public.
• Proven track record for developing intra and interinstitutional research collaborations.
• Deep understanding and/or lived experience of diversity equity and inclusion issues that are at the intersection between workplace dynamics education scientific research and multicultural conservation projects.
• Experience in domestic or international field research.

Competencies:

• Oral and written communication
• Strategic planning
• Records and reports creation and management
• Problem Solving/Analysis
• Flexibility

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: Reports to Curator of Research Dr. Sinlan Poo.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Fulltime positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately up to 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays holidays and weekends including early morning daytime and evening hours. A mixture of field work lab work travel and administration is to be expected.

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job the employee will frequently work in alternate settings between indoors (office environment) and outdoors (Zoo grounds or field sites). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain humidity and extreme heat or cold.

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.

This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Position also requires ability to navigate through Zoo grounds and to field sites.

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

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.

Other Requirements:

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

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:

• Cover letter 1 page max)
• Strong statement of research interest or (preferably) a research proposal that incorporates animals within Memphis Zoos collection 3 page max)
• CV
• All above files should be submitted in a single PDF with the file name C6 PostdocLAST NAME and uploaded under Documents through the online Job application portal

In addition to the above please email 3 letters of reference to Sue Harris . Please include your name post doc and letters of reference in the subject line.

Incomplete 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.