Position Details:

Position: Research Fellow x3 (IoZ - Science Department, Permanent, Full-time) 

Salary: £48,614 (Inclusive of London Weighting) per annum 

Location: ZSL Regents Park

Learn more and apply

Overview of the Role

The Institute of Zoology (IoZ), the research division of the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), is seeking to fill three new permanent positions by recruiting outstanding early-career researchers as Research Fellows (RFs). The successful applicants will have exceptional track records in conservation science for their career stage, with their research falling broadly within one or more of our five Conservation Challenges:

• Biology and Recovery of Small Populations
• Coexistence of People and Wildlife
• Global Biodiversity Monitoring
• Mitigating and Adapting to Climate Change
• Wildlife Health.

We are particularly keen to bring new skills and expertise into the Institute of Zoology that complement our existing capacity, including in the following areas:

• Social dimensions of conservation
• One health approaches in conservation
• AI and computational science in conservation
• Biodiversity indicators and metrics

The RFs will conduct high quality conservation science, which integrates with one or more of IoZ’s five conservation challenges as listed above, and are expected to generate grant income, contribute to MSc and PhD supervision, and deliver conservation impacts. We welcome applications from anyone with innovative ideas about conservation science and its future direction.

Key Responsibilities

• Initiate, develop, design and be responsible for the delivery of a programme of high-quality research that integrates with one or more of IoZ’s Conservation Challenges.
• Manage any secured research grants in accordance with ZSL Financial Regulations and the conditions of the funding body.
• Submit papers for publication in appropriate peer-reviewed journals and attend and present findings at appropriate conferences.
• Seek new areas of research and prepare and submit research bids and proposals that will enhance the reputation of IoZ.
• Undertake teaching through module delivery in a relevant subject area, focusing on ZSL’s master’s courses conducted with UCL (Biodiversity and Global Change MSc; Biodiversity, Evolution & Conservation MRes) and RVC London (Wild Animal Health and Wild Animal Biology MSc).
• To provide research project opportunities at PhD and MSc/MRes level.

Please click here for a full Job Description.

The ideal candidate will:

• Hold a PhD in a relevant field.
• Have demonstrable experience of scientific independence, including proven track record of obtaining research funding and experience leading to the production of peer-reviewed publications in reputable journals.
• Have strong communication and scientific writing skills.
• Have the ability to nurture talent, and support the career progression of scientists in more junior positions.
• Have the ability to work to, and manage, competing deadlines.
• Have the ability to build positive relationships to meet the expectation of working collaboratively across ZSL departments and with national and international research partners.

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group. 

About Us

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction. 

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include: 

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct
• Pension scheme - we offer a generous pension scheme.
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity and paternity packages

To Apply

Applicants will need to upload their CV (including grants, awards and a full publications list) 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. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact [email protected] 

 Closing date for applications: Midnight (23:59) on 3 November 2023 

Provisional interview date: week commencing 13 November 2023

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