Recovery Ecology Post Doctoral Associate - San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance

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 Post-Doctoral Associate oversees research projects and performs a variety of assigned research and diagnostic activities, while completing post-doctoral training in a specialized area of scientific research. This position reports to Scientist level or higher in the Conservation Science & Wildlife Health department.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Oversee assigned research projects.
• Collect, process, and enters research data.
• Perform experiments and measurements.
• Interpret and analyze research results and revises procedures as necessary.
• Establish and maintain databases.
• Document research methodology and results.
• Prepare progress reports.
• Conduct and oversee investigations of study subjects.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Desert Tortoise Recovery Team at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has an opening for a full-time, 3-year Post Doctoral Associate in quantitative ecology to conduct meta-analyses of existing datasets to explore the health, survival, and recruitment outcomes of Mojave desert tortoise headstarting and translocation efforts. Working closely with SDZWA's Recovery Ecology and Disease Investigations teams and the USFWS Desert Tortoise Recovery Office and other agency partners, the Fellow will work to compile over 16 years of data on headstart programs and mitigation translocations following standardized protocols for surveys, health screening, and mitigation translocations. The Fellow will conduct meta-analyses of these recovery actions across many contexts and recovery units to identify approaches most effective in supporting desert tortoise health, survival, and population recruitment post release and gain important ecological insights to inform recovery more generally. Ideal candidate will have a PhD in Ecology, Wildlife Conservation and Management, or similar field of study, and strong analytical and quantitative skills that include population modeling. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong record of collaborative research and productivity, be familiar with endangered species conservation, and have a demonstrated ability to compile and analyze disparate data sources to parameterize population models. The Fellow will have opportunities to work with a multidisciplinary team within the department of Conservation Science and Wildlife Health, including veterinary pathologists, conservation geneticists, reproductive scientists, behavioral and population ecologists, as well as a diverse collaborative network of agency, academic, and non-profit partners dedicated to Mojave desert tortoise conservation and optimizing recovery efforts.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Position responsible for ensuring compliance with established guidelines.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Post Doctorate or Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent specialized training required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Specialization area preferred. (i.e. population biologist, demography, or genetics)
• Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs
• Demonstrated ability to work with others in a diverse environment.
• Knowledge of science communication or interpretation of scientific concepts.

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: Escondido, CA
• Position Type: Salary Full-Time Exempt Position
• Salary Range: $71,200 to $78,760

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org. If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately.

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.