Research Scientist (WildGenes)

About us 

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) is a wildlife conservation charity with a bold vision: a world where nature is protected, valued and loved.

Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park are our gateways to the natural world through which people can experience nature.  

How you'll contribute to our mission

This is a rare and exciting opportunity to join our Conservation Team as a Research Scientist. Based within the RZSS WildGenes team at Edinburgh Zoo this role will involve working within a small team of technicians and post-doctoral level research scientists working together to deliver on around 15-20 conservation genetic projects annually.

In this role you'll initiate, implement and disseminate conservation genetics projects as part of the WildGenes team, to agreed standards under appropriate guidance and direction, in support of RZSS’s vision and mission.

Some of the things you'll do

• To take responsibility for delivery of DNA based projects being run by the WildGenes lab, to include experimental design and reporting, in addition to bioinformatic analysis.
• To contribute to the dissemination of WildGenes research through the preparation of project reports and manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journals.
• Represent RZSS at external meetings and conferences nationally and internationally in the role of a research scientist with specialist knowledge of conservation genetics. 
• Through the delivery of projects, proactively develop people within the team and work in collaboration with external partners. 
• Take responsibility for day-to-day management of staff at research assistant level or similar or line management of such staff, as required and working with the Programme Manager.  
• As required and working with the Programme manager ensure individuals have the skills, systems and procedures appropriate to their particular operation/service to meet and/or exceed the needs of their stakeholders including our visitors.

What we're looking for

• PhD in a relevant discipline
• Ability to apply knowledge regarding the application of population genetics to wildlife conservation management
• Track record of publishing in peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Ability to collaborate with a range of external partners including scientific and applied conservation organisations
• Proficient in presenting research outputs to a range of audiences
• Experience of standard molecular genetic laboratory techniques
• Proficient in population genetic and genomic data analysis including the use of coding in R, unix or similar.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office.

What you’ll get in return

• Starting salary between £41,621 - £42,662 (offer based on experience) per annum
• 37.5hr working week
• 34 days annual leave (pro rata)
• Discount in both retail/catering
• Access to a healthcare plan
• Access to Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), that provide 24-hour counselling and support, including health, legal, finance, wellbeing and family advice
• Employer contributory pension scheme
• You will receive a staff membership which will give you (and family/friends) free (and discounted) entry to both the Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo as well as a number of other Zoo’s across the UK.

If this role excites you and aligns with your career aspirations, click APPLY now. 

Please note that shortlisting of applications and interviews for this position will take place while the advert is live. The advert will close once a successful candidate has been found.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including the candidate's right to work in the UK and Basic Disclosure check.

Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible. For further information on what the role involves and essential/desirable criteria - please see the ‘related documents’ section.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland is an equal opportunities employer. Our policy is to recruit a diverse workforce following the guidelines of the Equality Act 2010.