Field Technician (Full-Time / 2 Year Fixed Term Contract)

About Us:

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL), a charity founded in 1826, is a world-renowned centre of excellence for conservation science and applied conservation. ZSL’s mission is to promote and achieve the worldwide conservation of animals and their habitats. This is realised by carrying out field conservation and research in over 50 countries across the globe and through education and awareness-raising at our two zoos, ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, inspiring people to take conservation action.

The Institute of Zoology, the research arm of the Zoological Society of London, affiliated to University College London, invites applications for two Field Technicians to assist with a new BBSRC-funded study exploring the role of the farm environment in the transmission of bovine tuberculosis. This new study, which entails collaboration with the University of Warwick and Imperial College London, forms part of the Cornwall Badger Project; you can learn more about that project here and here. The two field technicians, who will be based in Cornwall, will be responsible for data and sample collection from 20 farms, distributed across four sites in West and North Cornwall.

• Maintaining good working relationships with study farms.
• Collecting environmental samples (including soil, water, slurry, cattle dung, badger faeces) from study farms.
• Storing, cataloguing, and shipping sensitive biological samples.
• Deploying cattle GPS-collars and retrieving tracking data.
• Occasional opportunities to assist with badger capture and tracking.

• A degree in a relevant science subject or equivalent qualification.
• A full clean driving licence.
• Experience of ecological fieldwork, ideally in cold, wet and muddy conditions.
• GIS and data management skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• The excellent communication skills needed to interface with stakeholders on a controversial topic.
• Basic lab skills, and/or experience of interacting with livestock would be advantageous.

Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability and the names and addresses of two academic referees) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button on the following link. If you have any queries regarding this position or when applying through the system please contact Human Resources at hr@zsl.org

Closing Date: Midnight Sunday 1st May 2016.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Prof Rosie Woodroffe at Rosie.Woodroffe@ioz.ac.uk

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