Current vacancies

PhD in Host/Parasite Dynamics and Infectious Disease Epidemiology

An exciting opportunity investigating the host/parasite dynamics and spatial ecology of infectious disease is expected to be available through the Institute of Zoology (IoZ). The study system is based on the Isle of Rum, the jewel of Scotland’s Inner Hebrides, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. The system itself involves an amphibian host (the palmate newt, Lissotriton helveticus) and a mesomycetozoan parasite that is causing mortality of newts on the island. The candidate will be expected to utilize and expand on existing data regarding the spatial distribution and prevalence of disease as well as the parasite genotype, but we seek a candidate who will develop her or his novel, independent ideas and specific research topics. The potential scope of the project is broad: while it will certainly involve substantial fieldwork on Rum, the capacity exists to support experimental, molecular, pathological and theoretical investigations.

We seek a highly motivated candidate with exceptional qualifications, preferably with some experience in research. Evidence of skills relevant to the project, including experience with spatial epidemiology, experiments examining host/parasite interactions and modelling infectious disease dynamics, will have bearing on the selection process. Our primary goal is to find a candidate with a desire to perform academic research to the highest standards and strong evidence of commitment to this. The degree awarding institution will be the University of Edinburgh. The candidate will have the ability to be based at the Zoological Society of London’s IoZ or Edinburgh’s Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies, but would be expected to spend time at both institutions. The IoZ is internationally recognized for conservation science and includes a strong wildlife disease research theme as well as one of the largest concentrations of amphibian infectious disease researchers in the world. Basic research on the infectious diseases of amphibians at the IoZ influences conservation policy at the national and international level. The Royal Dick School is the UK’s top ranked UK-based RCVS-accredited veterinary school with proven excellence in research on infectious diseases. The CASE partner for the project is Amphibian and Reptile Conservation, the UK’s leading amphibian and reptile conservation organisation.

Candidates must submit a cover letter of research interests and curriculum vitae no later than February 24th, 2012, by email to Dr. Trent Garner (trent.garner@ioz.ac.uk). The expected source of funding is a NERC quota studentship and according to NERC guidelines applicants must be either UK or EU citizens. EU applicants who have not been spent the previous 3 years as residents in the UK undertaking university education are only eligible for a fees-only award.

Application deadline: Friday 24 February 2012

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Indicators and Assessments Unit (Sampled Red List Index) Research Internships

The Zoological Society of London is looking for two voluntary Research Interns to join the Institute of Zoology’s Indicators and Assessments Unit. The unit is involved in a number of collaborative projects developing indicators of the status and trends of biodiversity, and the successful candidates will be primarily involved in the development of the IUCN Sampled Red List Index. The IUCN Sampled Red List Index enables conservationists and policy-makers to determine whether targets to reduce biodiversity loss, such as those set by the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Millennium Development Goals, are being met. The index is based on Red List assessments from a wide range of species groups, including large numbers of invertebrates, in order to give a picture broadly representative of biodiversity as a whole.

This six-month position will involve collaborating with a network of international scientists and species experts to compile data, and review and validate Red List assessments of invertebrate species, specifically dung beetles. Preparation of conservation assessment documentation to submit to the IUCN, including the creation of distribution maps in GIS, will be carried out. There is potential for interns to contribute to additional ongoing projects within the Indicators and Assessments Unit.

Candidates must have an undergraduate degree or above in biology, zoology, aquatic biology, or related subject such as geography or environmental science. They should be IT proficient, and have strong research and leadership skills. Knowledge of GIS would also be an advantage, though training is provided. Finally, the intern should be hard-working and self-motivated with a strong interest in helping to develop the Sampled Red List Index.

Please note that this is a voluntary, six-month position, with ideal office hours from 9am to 5pm, five days a week (although with flexibility). Lunch and travel expenses (within the Greater London area) will be reimbursed.

Please send a covering letter and CV to Monika Böhm ( monika.bohm@ioz.ac.uk )

Closing date: Monday 20th February 2012

Interviews will be held on Tuesday 6th of MARCH 2012 with a start date of 19th of MARCH 2012

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Seasonal Catering Assistants

£7.00 an hour
Based at ZSL London Zoo

Experienced catering assistants are required to work in London Zoo’s busy day visitor catering restaurants and kiosks. You will need good communication and people skills and be experienced in dealing with customers and in cash handling. A neat and tidy appearance is also important.

We have full and part-time positions available from March through to September 2012. Hours and days of work will vary depending on the needs of the business; however, as this is a 7 day operation, you will be required to work Bank Holidays and some weekends.

Duties will include:

• Serving food and drinks to customers and clearing tables
• Taking orders from customers and till operation
• General cleaning, stock rotation and restocking
• Working as part of a team to deliver excellent customer service

To apply, please send your CV and a covering letter to: hr@zsl.org

It is important that you are legally permitted to work in this country and will therefore need to provide us with evidence of your right to work in the UK.

Closing date for applications: 14 February 2012
Interviews will be held on the afternoon of 7 March 2012.

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Youth Coordinator Internship

ZSL is looking for an intern based at ZSL offices, Regent’s Park to provide support for youth orientated events leading up to and during the Rio +20, UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil (13-22nd June 2012). The “Declaration of Young People’s Right to a Healthy Planet” was written by ClientEarth and ZSL and forms the main focus of the project.

The intern will assist ZSL to:
• Encourage people to sign the Youth Declaration using social media and other forms of communication
• Connect with youth groups attending Rio +20
• Organize a side event at the conference ( both logistics and strategic planning)
• Evaluate the success of the projects using different methods
• Produce a report on the project for ZSL.

ZSL is offering:
• A professional working environment
• Supervision by ZSL conservation and education staff
• Experience working in a conservation organization
• Use of facilities such as computer, internet, library and software
• Up to 6 months contract with travel zones 1-6 and lunch costs ( max £5 per day)
• A written reference on completion of the project.

Period of volunteer contract:
• 16th February 2012 – 16th August 2012
• Ideally 3-4 days a week (9am-5pm)

The ideal candidate should:
• Have undergraduate degree in life sciences, geography, education or other related subjects
• Have excellent communication skills, both written, spoken and via social media
• Have project management skills
• Interested in youth issues relating to the environment
• Have a passion for conservation and sustainable development
• Be self motivated and hardworking
• Be willing to attend the Rio+20 conference in June 2012

To apply, please send your CV, a 200-word statement on why you think young people should be involved at Rio +20, and a one-page cover letter to hr@zsl.org .

Closing date for applications is Friday 10th February 2012. Interviews will be during w/c 13th February 2012.

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Intern Position: South Asia Programme Intern

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is looking for an intern, based at ZSL's offices in Regents Park, to provide support on a long term project on the Brahmaputra River Dolphin and freshwater ecosystem in the South Asia programme. The Brahmaputra River Dolphin Project is a collaborative project between ZSL and Aaranyak, a leading NGO in Assam aiming at long term conservation of the Brahmaputra River Dolphin.
This is a desk-based internship based in the UK.
Terms of Reference

The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is looking for an intern, based at ZSL's offices in Regents Park, to provide support on the Tidal Thames Conservation Project.

Main tasks would include (but not exhaustive):
• Co-ordinating the development of a dolphin post-mortem protocol and associated teaching aids.
• Liaising with in-country staff on specific project activities relating to fisheries, dolphin monitoring, and public engagement.
• Supporting the compilation of project reports
• Maintenance of the conservation database.
• Financial administration.
• Supporting the project manager in the general running of the project.
• Contribute towards ZSL monthly progress reports.
• Help maintain/establish relationships with relevant local and international partners.
• Liaise with ZSL development and press office (press releases, website support etc).
• Attend relevant ZSL meetings and events.

The ideal candidate should have:
• A university background in aquatic ecology and/or relevant biological/zoological sciences (or equivalent).
• Knowledge of the cetacean biology and/or the South Central Asian region.
• Excellent English both written and spoken.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Excellent IT skills.

ZSL is offering:
• A professional working environment with an an international team,
• Supervision by Conservation Programmes staff,
• Experience with UK statutory organisations and NGOs,
• Experience within an active conservation organisation,
• Facilities including computer, internet and library.
• Daily expense coverage (travel zones 1-6, and lunch costs (max £5 per day)

Ideal period of volunteer contract:
• Monday 27th February 2012 – Friday 18th August 2012.
• Full time, 5 days per week

Please send your CV and letter of application by post or email to: Human Resource Department, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park NW1 4RY or hr@zsl.org .

Closing date for applications: Monday 13th February; Interviews: 16th-17th February.

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Weekend Membership Administrator

£7.00 per hour
Fixed Term Contract: March to October
Based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

We are looking for an enthusiastic and flexible individual to help recruit new members to ZSL’s membership programmes at ZSL London Zoo and ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. Our members contribute significantly to our charitable mission to achieve animal conservation both in the UK and in over 80 countries worldwide.

The Membership department, based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, are seeking a temporary part-time (weekend) administrator with excellent customer service and sales experience and excellent computer and numeracy skills. Working in this very busy department you should have the ability to remain calm under pressure and to use your initiative. As the role involves a high degree of interaction with the general public you will require good verbal communication skills, a friendly and outgoing personality and a smart appearance.

The post holders will be required to work every weekend and bank holiday; hours 9.30 am to 6.00 pm and longer hours during ‘Zoo Nights’ and August Bank Holiday.

If you feel you have the right skills and experience, please apply by sending your CV with a covering letter to the HR Department, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Nr Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 2LF or email wzhr@zsl.org .

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 14 February 2012
Interviews will take place week commencing 20 February 2012
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Seasonal Sales Assistants

£6.69 per hour
Seasonal Contracts: March to October
Based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

Do you thrive in a sales environment? Are you passionate about wildlife and conservation? Are you enthusiastic about customer service? If so, then the Retail and Admissions department based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is an ideal place to work and you will be instrumental in contributing to ZSL’s charitable mission.

We are currently seeking reliable and dependable temporary Sales Assistants to work within the Retail and Admissions team. You will have a history of commitment to a very high standard of customer service within the retail or leisure industry and have a flair for sales. You will also have a good level of education; good literacy, numeracy and computer skills.

The role of Sales Assistant is varied; you will provide excellent customer service even at the busiest times, represent ZSL in a positive and passionate manner, process till transactions, maximise every sales opportunity and assist in ensuring products and our outlets meet the highest standards.

Hours of work will be on a roster and shift system and it is an essential requirement to work weekends and bank holidays. Full-time and part-time hours available.

For a job description please click here: Sales Assistant Temporary (375 KB)

Closing date for all applications: Tuesday 14 February 2012

Interviews will take place week commencing: 20 February 2012
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Events Executive

Based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire
Competitive salary

We are looking for someone to join the ZSL Events Team, working from our office at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo but liaising regularly with the rest of the team at ZSL London Zoo and working at least one day per week from London Zoo. This enthusiastic and resourceful team member will assist with the delivery of an expanding annual programme of events which reflect and support the objectives and long term strategy of ZSL in building our relationships with all of our supporters and to the wider public. They will actively assist in the delivery of regular events, as well as the development of new and innovative events which are commercially viable and attract new audiences.

With a proven track record in event management or project management, you will be confident with a high level of credibility combined with the ability to liaise effectively with a broad spectrum of internal and external stakeholders, colleagues and suppliers. Excellent communication and organisational skills together with a flexible approach are necessary. A good understanding of health and safety requirements and risk management is required along with a full driving licence.

In return we offer a competitive salary, Stakeholder Pension Scheme, Life Assurance, Child Care Voucher Scheme

For a job description please click here: Events Exec Job Description Dec 2011 (378 KB)

Closing date for applications: Monday 13 February 2012
Interviews will be held week commencing 20 February 2012
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Supervisor – Day Visitor Catering

Based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

£16,234 per annum

We are looking for a permanent Supervisor for our Day Visitor Catering department, based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, who enjoys motivating their staff and providing excellent customer service. You will run a catering team responsible for preparing, cooking and serving food both to the general public and staff. Ensuring deliveries and quantities are correct and produce is fresh; stock levels are maintained at all times and you and the team work within and comply with the Food Safety and Health and Safety regulations and procedures.

You will need:

• A proven track record in catering within a large café
• Supervisory experience of up to 20 members of staff at any one time
• To be clean and tidy
• The ability to problem solve
• To have good interpersonal, written and oral communication skills
• Good organisational and time management skills
• To be able to work under pressure
• A flexible approach to work in order to meet the demands of a 7-day operation; regular weekend, evenings and early morning working
• To understand and respect confidentiality
• A full driving licence

Ideally, you will have a catering or leisure qualification.

In return, we offer excellent benefits: Stakeholder pension scheme, life assurance and childcare voucher scheme.

For a job description please click here: Supevisor Jan 2012 (798 KB)

Closing date for applications is: Friday 10 February 2012

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Seasonal General Catering Assistants, based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

£6.08 per hour

Seasonal Contracts: February to October

If you would like to join the Day Visitor Catering team based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo and be instrumental in contributing to ZSL’s charitable mission then apply for one of many seasonal vacancies.

The role of General Catering Assistant is varied; you will provide excellent customer service even at the busiest times, represent ZSL in a positive and passionate manner, prepare and serve food, process till transactions, clear tables and wash up ensuring our cafes and kiosks around the zoo meet the highest standards. Ideally, candidates will have worked in a similar environment.

Hours of work will be on a roster system and it is an essential requirement to work weekends and bank holidays.

Please send your CV with a covering letter to HR Department, ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, Whipsnade, Nr Dunstable, Beds. LU6 2LF or email wzhr@zsl.org .

Closing date for all applications: Friday 10 February 2012

Interviews will be held on week commencing 13 February 2012
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Supervisor - Day Visitor Catering

based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire

£8.30 per hour - Fixed Term Contract

We are looking for a Supervisor on fixed term contract for our Day Visitor Catering department, based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo, who enjoys motivating their staff and providing excellent customer service. You will run a catering team responsible for the coffee/sandwich bar serving food and drinks both to the general public and staff. Ensuring produce is fresh and stock levels are maintained at all times, and you and the team work within and comply with the Food Safety and Health and Safety regulations and procedures.

You will need:

• A proven track record of working within a coffee/sandwich bar
• Supervisory experience
• To be clean and tidy
• The ability to work on own initiative
• To have good interpersonal, written and oral communication skills.
• Good organisational and time management skills.
• To be able to work under pressure.
• A flexible approach to work in order to meet the demands of a 7-day operation; working 3 weekends in 4.
• A full driving licence.

In return, we offer excellent benefits: Stakeholder pension scheme, life assurance

For a job description please click here: Supevisor Jan 2012 (798 KB)

Closing date for applications is: Friday 10 February 2012
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Application Support Analyst

circa £25,000p.a.

ZSL’s ICT Team is responsible for the implementation, support and development of multiple business critical systems across the organisation. These primarily include ticketing, membership and fundraising and associated web applications (using Raiser’s Edge, Blackbaud NetCommunity, Patron Edge and Patron Edge Online) but also cover other third party solutions.

We are looking to recruit an additional Application Support Analyst to join the small but busy ICT Team. The team acts as the bridge between the business users, the technology and the vendor in order to ensure best use of the Society’s systems.

Working with the Business Systems Support Analyst you will bring a mix of application support, database management and small development lifecycle experience to the team. You will be able to prioritise and handle a number of different activities at the same time ranging from configuration and maintenance tasks, minor modifications to applications, and troubleshooting data discrepancies and application errors.

In all these activities you must have a good understanding of what the business wants to achieve, and be able to communicate clearly the benefits and opportunities these systems offer to staff which use them. Knowledge of one of either Raiser’s Edge/ NetCommunity or Patron Edge/ Patron Edge Online systems would be a distinct advantage.

Please click here for further information: Application Support Analyst Job Description (54 KB)

Apply by CV and covering letter highlighting your suitability to hr@zsl.org or by post to the HR Department, ZSL, Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY.

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 21st February 2012
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Practical Learning Officer

Based at ZSL London Zoo
£26,029 p.a. pro-rata, inclusive of allowances

ZSL London Zoo’s Discovery and Learning department are looking for a practical learning officer to join our team. It is a full time, fixed term post until 31st December 2012.

The practical learning officer will play a key role in delivering ZSL’s learning strategy and in doing so achieve the Society’s mission to raise awareness and inform visitors and other audiences about animals and their habitats and associated conservation issues

A major remit for this position is to plan and deliver six ZSL Zoo Academy courses during 2012. ZSL Zoo Academy is a practical course aimed at 15-17 year olds wishing to pursue a career with animals. You will support the students in practical work within the ZSL London Zoo as well as teaching theory sessions about husbandry, welfare and aspects of conservation. You will also be responsible for planning and liaising with the animal department and ensuring safe working practice at all times. Additional practical programmes delivery for other audiences will be also required.

The role will also involve delivering some live interpretation events at ZSL London Zoo. You will assist the explainers in providing interpretation experiences throughout the day on a variety of topics within the zoo. Effective presentation skills are required to ensure these events achieve the educational and visitor enjoyment targets set by the ZSL. In addition, you will assist the education officers in the delivery of some formal learning sessions and activities to the wide range of audiences that attend ZSL London Zoo as part of an education visit.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience of teaching in either a formal or informal education setting.
• Experience working in a zoo or animal related environment
• Ability to carry out and demonstrate to others correct animal husbandry and management skills.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills.
• Experience working with children and communicating to a wide range of audiences
• Previous experience of presenting public talks/shows/events
• Ability to learning new skills and information within a strict time limit e.g. performance skills, handling different animals, working with different departments in the zoo
• Available to work Saturdays
• Able to work in an outdoor environment for large period of time, in all weather conditions.

For a job description please click here: Practical Learning Officer - ZSL London Zoo (95 KB)

Apply by CV and covering letter highlighting your suitability and skills to hr@zsl.org .

Closing date for applications: Monday 6 February 2012

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Practical Learning Officer

Based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo
£22,634 p.a. pro-rata, inclusive of allowances

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo’s Discovery and Learning department are looking for a practical learning officer to join our team. It is a full time, fixed term post until 31st December 2012.

A major remit for this position is to plan and deliver six ZSL Zoo Academy courses during 2012. ZSL Zoo Academy is a practical course aimed at 15-17 year olds wishing to pursue a career with animals. You will support the students in practical work within the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo as well as teaching theory sessions about husbandry, welfare and aspects of conservation. You will also be responsible for planning and liaising with the animal department and ensuring safe working practice at all times. Additional practical programmes delivery for other audiences will be also required.

The role will also involve delivering some live interpretation events at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo. You will assist the explainers in providing interpretation experiences throughout the day on a variety of topics within the zoo. Effective presentation skills are required to ensure these events achieve the educational and visitor enjoyment targets set by the ZSL. In addition, you will assist the education officers in the delivery of some formal learning sessions and activities to the wide range of audiences that attend ZSL Whipsnade Zoo as part of an education visit.

The ideal candidate will have:

For a job description please click here: Practical Learning Officer - ZSL Whipsnade Zoo (23 KB)

Apply by CV and covering letter highlighting your suitability and skills to hr@zsl.org .

Closing date for applications: Monday 6 February 2012

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Disease Macroecologist, based at Regent's Park

One Year Fixed-term Contract Initially

Salary: £27,106 plus London Weighting £3568

A postdoctoral position is available from 1st April 2012 to build global spatial and temporal empirical models of the interdependence of biodiversity and human health in Africa. The work will build on previous publications (see Jones et al. Nature 451:990) to examine the roles of biodiversity, land-use change, climate change and other socio-economic, demographic and environmental drivers on disease emergence and transmission.

The position requires an independent, enthusiastic and innovative researcher with a PhD in a relevant discipline interested in applying comparative macroevolutionary and macroecological approaches to understanding disease emergence and transmission and its effect on human wellbeing. Experience in environmental niche modelling, spatial statistical modelling, using and compiling global biodiversity, environmental and socioeconomic datasets would be an advantage.

The post will be based at the Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, London, but will require visits to our African partners in Africa. Starting date: 1st April 2012, end date: 31st March 2013 with the possibility of renewing for a further 2 years. Salary: £30,674 p.a. inclusive of London Weighting.

Please see click here for a job description: Pdra Macroecology Dec 11 (129 KB)

To apply please send a CV, covering letter and contact details of three referees to hr@zsl.org or by post to HR Department, ZSL, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY

Informal enquires can be made to kate.jones@ioz.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: 16th February 2012

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Current vacancies

PhD in Host/Parasite Dynamics and Infectious Disease Epidemiology

Indicators and Assessments Unit (Sampled Red List Index) Research Internships

Seasonal Catering Assistants

Youth Coordinator Internship

Intern Position: South Asia Programme Intern

Weekend Membership Administrator

Seasonal Sales Assistants

Events Executive

Supervisor – Day Visitor Catering

Seasonal General Catering Assistants, based at ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Supervisor - Day Visitor Catering

Application Support Analyst

Practical Learning Officer

Practical Learning Officer

Disease Macroecologist, based at Regent's Park

ZSL

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