Closing Date: 06/05/2024

Location/Division: BZG/BZP

Research Assistant

Salary: £13,800 per annum

Contracted Hours: 22.5 per week

Location: Bristol Zoo Gardens and Somerset Field Location

Contract Type: Fixed Term (20 weeks)

Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation and education charity that runs and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project), higher education programmes and conservation projects across the world, is recruiting a Research Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to join the Field Conservation and Science team.

If you would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact hr@bzsociety.org.uk

We are committed to employing from all areas of the community, we value equality and diversity across our workforce and aim to ensure our staff is reflective of the diversity of the community. In support of this commitment, we welcome applications from the Global Majority.

Main Responsibilities include:

Data collection: the successful applicants will spend time in pairs in the field (Somerset, UK) and at Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton site, during dusk and evening over the summer, collecting first-hand data on white-clawed crayfish before and after a reintroduction event. Alongside, the candidates will collect records on body-condition and weight to supplement behavioural data collected.

Data processing, analysis and reporting: the successful applicant will process collected data, analyse it and prepare a report of the research project, with the aim of publishing the report as a peer-reviewed scientific paper.

We are looking for two dynamic individuals to join our expanding, dedicated, and collaborative team with entry-level academic knowledge, experience and/or understanding of wildlife conservation. Experience and/or understanding of conservation issues and research skills is desirable.

We are particularly interested in early-career applicants with experience in running research projects, collecting behavioural data, statistical analysis and scientific paper writing. If you have experience in these areas, we would be very interested in hearing from you.

Your role will be crucial in helping us achieve our progressive research goals, focusing on conservation welfare and the impact that reintroduction events have on native and reintroduced animals. We aim to evaluate a reintroduction event of white-clawed crayfish into a stream in Somerset, by comprehensively tracking welfare indicators in both native and reintroduced animals before and after the reintroduction event. Behavioural data collection combined with body condition scoring, migration distance and site fidelity, injury and body-size will provide insight into animals’ response to this event. After 10 weeks of evening data collection, data will be processed and analysed to evaluate significance and written into a scientific report intended for peer-reviewed publication.

The role will help to realise our vision of saving wildlife together, and you will be involved in supporting our transformation programme – driving visitor numbers at Bristol Zoo Project and excitement as plans for the new Zoo progress. We know that everyone here at the Society can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.

As a Disability Confident Employer if you identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition and can demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification, we will guarantee an interview.

Your work-life balance is important to us, and we’re happy to support flexible working – be that through your working pattern, or hybrid working for certain roles. We just need to ensure that you have some time to connect with the rest of your team and are able to deliver the responsibilities of your role.

Benefits include:

• 30 days of annual leave (Pro-rated, inclusive of bank hols) increasing with length of service with an option to buy up to 5 days’ additional holiday
• Access to our company pension scheme
• Enhanced family leave – supporting you with the important milestones in your life with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in service benefit (x3 salary)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans supporting you to spread the cost of environmentally friendly transport options
• Other flexible benefits including access to a health cash plan to help you with everyday healthcare costs
• Access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of retailers to help make your money go further including gym discounts
• Hybrid working for certain roles, to allow you to work where you work best - we’re happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles
• Option for Lifestyle Break after one years’ service
• Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential

To apply for this role please sign into our recruitment portal and upload your CV and cover letter.

The closing date for applications is 6th May 2024. Interviews will be held on 13th May 2024.