Research Technician in Amphibian Conservation (Field/Lab) (Full Time)

at  Memphis Zoological Society

SUMMARY:

The Memphis Zoo is seeking a highly motivated, ambitious, and highly energetic individual for a 1-year Field and Lab Research Technician in the Department of Conservation and Research. Specifically, the Memphis Zoo is seeking a candidate with experience in amphibian ecology, field biology, and conservation.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences or related field. (Must be completed by Dec 2024.)
• Experience conducting field work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Zoology, or related fields.
• Experience conducting amphibian research projects.
• Experience developing, leading, and managing research projects.
• Exceptional communication, interpersonal, and team facilitation skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to maintain high work quality under pressure.
• Record of effectively communicating conservation and research efforts, goals, and accomplishments to the public.
• Record peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations.
• Record of student mentorship.
• Deep understanding and/or lived experience of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues that are at the intersection between workplace dynamics, education, scientific research, and multi-cultural conservation projects.

COMPETENCIES:

• Written and oral communication Proficiency
• Proficient in MS Office, current technology and applications for communication, research and record keeping.
• Records and reports creation and management
• Problem Solving/Analysis.
• Stress Management/Composure.
• Flexibility.
• Teamwork Orientation.
  Supervisory Responsibility: Students, interns, and volunteers may be the supervisory responsibility of this position.
  Reporting Structure: Reports to the Postdoctoral Researcher.
  Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: This appointment is for one year, with a possibility for extension. This is a full-time position that works up to 40 hrs per week and may require weekend and holiday work. A mixture of fieldwork, lab work, and administration is to be expected.
  Application Deadline: October 15, 2024.
  Starting Date: January 15, 2025. Negotiable within limits.
  Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, chemicals and vibration.
  The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud while on Zoo grounds.
  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.
  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, talk and hear. The employee is constantly required to use hands and fingers to feel, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
  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:

• Valid driver’s license.
• Proof of current automobile insurance.
• Clear driving record.
• Clear background check.
• Clear drug screening.
• Clear TB screening.

The purpose of this Research Technician is to assist in Memphis Zoo’s efforts towards amphibian conservation. Working with the Amphibian Conservation Postdoc, the Research Technician will largely focus on the dusky gopher frog recovery program, which is one of Memphis Zoo’s top-tier wildlife conservation priorities, with opportunities to be involved in a wide range of research projects in the Amphibian Lab. We seek candidates who are passionate about amphibian conservation and eager to apply their skills to contribute to both in situ and ex situ conservation and research (See Memphis Zoo website and list of of recent publications).