Associate Population Biologist, AZA Population Management Center
About The Position
The Associate Population Biologist joins the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Population Management Center (PMC) at Lincoln Park Zoo. The PMC advises cooperatively managed AZA Animal Programs, including Species Survival Plans (SSPs), SAFE Programs, and AZA Studbooks, with the goal of improving the viability of zoo and aquarium animal populations and related wild populations. This early-career role applies population biology, demography, genetics, meeting facilitation, and data analysis to population management challenges in collaboration with species experts across the AZA community. The position is hybrid and based in Chicago, combining remote and in-office work, with at least three days per week in the office. The role includes opportunities to travel to AZA conferences and professional meetings. The successful candidate will contribute to population analyses, recommendations, reports, meetings, training, software, and research, and will participate in the Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation and Science Department’s team approach to population biology and data management projects.
Requirements
- Strong computer and organizational skills.
- Detail-oriented, able to handle multiple tasks, and able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong scientific and professional written and verbal communication skills, including comfort speaking publicly to a variety of audiences.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to work tactfully, maturely, and flexibly with diverse people in the AZA community.
- Ability to facilitate large meetings with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong background in population biology, use and interpretation of simulation and deterministic models, and broad knowledge of species biologies.
- Ability to professionally represent the AZA PMC at external meetings.
- Commitment to wildlife conservation through management of wild and zoo and aquarium populations.
- Willingness to participate in Lincoln Park Zoo’s team approach to projects.
- Ability to work at a desk or computer for seven hours per day.
- Ability to occasionally work weekends for conferences or other tasks, and availability for occasional special events outside the regular work schedule, including evenings, weekends, or holidays.
- Recent master's graduates and professionals with relevant zoo, aquarium, conservation, population management, or other relevant experience are welcome to apply.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with zoo- and aquarium-based population management Animal Programs and software such as ZIMS for Studbooks, PMx, and PMCTrack.
- Experience with Microsoft Office and R.
- Experience working with aquatic species, their husbandry, and/or aquariums.
Responsibilities
- Prepare pedigree (“studbook”) databases for analysis with SSP and SAFE program leaders.
- Complete standard demographic and genetic analyses of animal populations.
- Collaboratively develop recommendations for future breeding and transfers in cooperatively managed SSPs and write reports.
- Analyze databases and other records to investigate animal population management issues.
- Lead preparation, writing, and publication of reports on population analyses and breeding and transfer recommendations.
- Facilitate meetings with program leaders and partners.
- Assist SSP and SAFE program leaders with questions related to database analyses and population management by phone, email, internet conferencing, or in person.
- Provide training on population management topics to zoo and aquarium professionals, Lincoln Park Zoo visitors and staff, and other audiences as needed.
- Travel to AZA conferences and meetings to represent the AZA PMC.
- Contribute to development and maintenance of population management software.
- Depending on background and capabilities, participate in research or projects in population biology, data management, or other aspects of cooperative Animal Programs.
- Participate in the Lincoln Park Zoo Conservation and Science Department’s population biology research and data management projects.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of the AZA PMC at Lincoln Park Zoo.
Benefits
- Medical insurance, including Blue Cross Blue Shield coverage
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance
- Disability coverage
- 403(b) savings plan with institutional match
- Free admission to many other Chicago cultural institutions
- Free on-site parking anytime
- Discounts on event tickets, attractions, dining, and retail at the zoo
- Quarterly staff mingle events
- LPZooU training and educational sessions about the zoo, wildlife, ecology, and related subjects
- Company contribution to a Health Savings Account for Medical PPO participants
- Work environment with green spaces and regularly available visits with wildlife
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
