San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors - the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park - giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The Scientist conducts independent and collaborative research in a specialized area of biological science, and/or develops and conducts disease diagnostics and risk assessments for application to wildlife health. This position reports to a Director level or higher in the Conservation Science & Wildlife Health department.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Develop research programs in a specialized field of study.
• Determine study subjects, research parameters, methodology, and cost requirements.
• Plan, design, organize, and conduct independent and collaborative projects.
• Oversee and conduct data collection.
• Update research parameters, review draft summaries, document research methodology and results.
• Coordinate the collection of data for research, maintains inventories, and shares data with collaborative researchers and community partners
• Teach/train doctoral and post-doctoral students, volunteers, community members and others.
• Publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, popular literature, and other relevant media outlets.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are seeking a broadly trained ecologist with strong quantitative and interdisciplinary skills to help lead SDZWA's giant panda conservation program. Important areas of expertise to fulfill position requirements may include: translocation biology, population monitoring and adaptive management, resource ecology, disturbance ecology, sensory ecology, disease ecology, molecular ecology, ecosystem health, and biodiversity monitoring, as well as experience with strategic conservation planning and decision-making. Experience with conservation technologies is preferred, including the application of trail cameras, environmental sensors, and/or passive acoustic monitoring. Language proficiency in both English and Mandarin is strongly preferred. The position requires spending approximately half of each year in China, with travel to and from San Diego. The successful candidate will lead or support several projects designed to inform conservation management of giant pandas, including evaluating habitat, determining ecological population drivers, assessing, modeling, and mitigating climate change and other anthropogenic impacts, and contributing to the successful translocation of pandas from human care to protected areas for genetic rescue.

• JOB EXPERIENCE
• Experience conducting research in a specialized field.
• Experience with science communication or interpretation of scientific concepts.

• EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
• Ph.D. Post Doctorate degree in a specialized area of biological science and/or a DVM or equivalent specialized training required.

• SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
• Strong working knowledge of governmental regulations applicable to research, hazardous materials, and safety.
• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs.
• Strong working knowledge of biological and life science.
• Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

SOME OF THE PERKS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
• Family Passes
• Complimentary Tickets
• Local and In-House Discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt Position
• Salary Range: $94,800 to $104,820

Be an ally for wildlife by joining our team!

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we thrive on celebrating our differences. Diversity is vital for the benefit of our team members, our guests, our community, and our wildlife.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying.

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.

• 2920 Zoo Dr, San Diego, CA 92101, USA