Lincoln Park Zoo is offering a scientific research position in Urban Wildlife Disease Ecology as part of the Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology and Urban Wildlife Institute. With our Stress and Disease Health of Urban Wildlife Initiative, the Davee Center and Urban Wildlife Institute teams are investigating the interaction of stress and disease with the ecology of urban species and, in turn, how wildlife health and stress affects humans sharing the urban environment. As urbanization expands around the world, these questions will become increasingly important to conserve species while also mitigating human-wildlife conflict as cities grow. Therefore, primary focus is on applied research that investigates disease ecology and the impact of disease on urban wildlife conservation. Tasks include participating in all aspects of ongoing research including designing studies, collecting data and samples, analyzing data, writing grants, writing manuscripts for publication and preparing oral or poster presentations for staff and scientific conferences.
This position will support our current national wildlife disease research projects and ultimately design and implement new wildlife disease research projects at the local and national level, focusing on disease dynamics within urban landscapes. Successful applicant will collaborate with the Davee Center Endocrinologist and Epidemiologist, the Urban Wildlife Institute, and with other centers within the Conservation and Science Department at Lincoln Park Zoo. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS • Develop, coordinate and manage new wildlife disease projects in the field; • Participate in ongoing field research and supervise staff in the field to complete projects • Provide expertise in wildlife disease ecology, conservation biology and statistical study design to support existing Lincoln Park Zoo programs and develop new projects, • Write and manage grants and other funding sources; • Disseminate results at scientific professional conferences and in lay and peer-reviewed literature as appropriate. • Communicate about research to varied zoo audiences, including donors, visitors, and program participants ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES • Travel for conferences and field projects; • Participate in Fund raising activities for the Lincoln Park Zoo, Davee Center, and/or Urban Wildlife Institute as necessary; • Perform other duties as assigned by the directors of the Davee Center and the Urban Wildlife Institute. KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES • Successful candidates must have a strong background in experimental design, and must have demonstrated ability to analyze and communicate the results of research and applied programs in disease ecology, ideally in urban settings; • Demonstrate a basic understanding of urban ecology, epidemiology and endocrinology for collaborative purposes (active research in these disciplines is preferred); • Possess the appropriate experience with field work including handling of live animals and/or sampling for disease; • Possess grant writing and management skills; • Experience in developing ecological models to address questions about disease, species conservation and management. • Possess strong interpersonal, computer, organizational (project management) and communication skills (written and spoken); • Demonstrate a commitment to wildlife conservation through management of wild and captive populations, and willingness to participate in the department’s team approach to conservation research projects; EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS • DVM, PhD in ecology, epidemiology, statistics or a related discipline is preferred. An MS or MPh and field research experience may be considered. See posting on www.lpzoo.org/careers
