Associate Population Biologist, AZA Population Management Center

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation animal care and welfare learning and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868 the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at .

GENERAL SUMMARY

Help shape the future of animal populations across AZA zoos and aquariums

Join the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population Management Center (PMC) at Lincoln Park Zoo and work with the specialized team of scientists advising the cooperatively managed AZA Animal Programs (Species Survival Plans (SSPs) SAFE Programs AZA Studbooks) with an ultimate goal of improving the viability of zoo and aquarium animal populations and related wild populations. This is an exceptional opportunity for an early-career scientist to apply population biology demography genetics meeting facilitation and data analysis skills to real-world population management challenges while collaborating with species experts across the AZA community.

What Youll Gain

• Direct mentorship from leading population biologists.
• Experience advising AZA Species Survival Plan Programs.
• Opportunities to participate in conferences.
• Hands-on work with demographics genetics and population projections.
• Contribute to management efforts involving hundreds of species.
• Opportunities to participate in software development and scientific research.
• Build relationships with AZA Animal Program leaders animal managers and scientific advisors from 240 zoos and aquariums.

• Work with SSP and SAFE program leaders from AZA zoos and aquariums to prepare pedigree (studbook) databases for analysis complete standard demographic and genetic analyses on the populations collaboratively develop recommendations for future breeding and transfers in cooperatively managed animal programs (SSPs) and write reports
• Analyze databases and other records to investigate issues related to animal population management
• Lead the preparation writing and publication of reports on population analyses and breeding and transfer recommendations
• Facilitate meetings with program leaders and partners
• Assist (via phone email internet conferencing or in person) SSP and SAFE program leaders on questions related to database analyses and population management
• Provide training on population management topics to zoo and aquarium professionals Lincoln Park Zoo visitors and staff and other audiences as needed.
• Travel to AZA conferences and meetings to represent the AZA PMC.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of population management software.

• Dependent on background and capabilities participate in research and/or projects in population biology data management or other aspects of cooperative Animal Programs.

• Participate in the Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation and Science Departments team approach to ongoing population biology research and/or data management projects.

• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the AZA PMC at Lincoln Park Zoo.

• Hybrid position based in Chicago.
• Combination of remote and in-office work with a requirement to be in the office at least three days per week.
• Opportunities for travel to AZA conferences and professional meetings.

• We welcome applications from recent masters graduates as well as professionals with relevant zoo aquarium conservation or population management experience or any other relevant experience.
• Strong computer and organizational skills.
• Detail-oriented capable of handling multiple tasks and able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong scientific and professional written and verbal communication skills including comfort with speaking publicly to a variety of audiences.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills. Ability to work well with diverse people in the AZA community tactful mature flexible. Able to facilitate large meetings with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong background in population biology use and interpretation of simulation and deterministic models and broad knowledge of species biologies.
• Experience with zoo and aquarium based population management Animal Programs and software (e.g. ZIMS for Studbooks PMx PMCTrack) as well as Microsoft Office and R preferred.
• Experience working with aquatic species their husbandry and/or aquariums preferred.
• Ability to professionally represent the AZA PMC at external meetings.
• Commitment to wildlife conservation through management of wild and zoo and aquarium populations.
• Willingness to participate in the Lincoln Park Zoos team approach to projects.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work at a desk/computer for seven hours per day.

• Must be able to occasionally work on weekends to participate in conferences or other tasks.

• Availability to occasionally work Lincoln Park Zoo special events that may occur outside of regular work schedule including evening weekend or holiday as required.

Our Commitment

Lincoln Park Zoo is committed to an environment that is inclusive and welcoming. We celebrate the diverse qualities perspectives values and experiences of all people. For Wildlife. For All.

LINCOLN PARK ZOO BENEFITS

In addition to such standard benefits ( Blue Cross Blue Shield) as medical dental vision life and disability coverages and a 403(b) savings plan with an institutional match benefits of working at the zoo include (benefits are for regular full time employees):

• Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
• Free on-site parking anytime with access to Lincoln Park Lakeshore Trail and North Avenue Beach
• Discounts on event tickets (free admission to select events) attractions dining and retail at the zoo
• Quarterly staff mingle events and LPZooU training and educational sessions about the zoo wildlife ecology and related subjects
• Company contribution to Health Savings Account (Medical PPO only)
• A working environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife!

Salary Range

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