Biobank Operations Coordinator

Zoological Society of London (ZSL); Greater London; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Up to 12% contributory pension

Flexible working options

25 days' annual leave

Job summary

ZSL, based at the Institute of Zoology in Regent’s Park, London, invites applications for Biobank Operations Coordinator. The role develops ZSL Biobank processes, streamlines workflows, and explores automation while ensuring compliant data management and external data sharing.

Based in Regent’s Park with occasional travel to Whipsnade. The post is fixed-term for 12 months at 3 days per week with a pro-rated salary aligned to London weighting.

Qualifications

• MSc degree or equivalent in a STEM field.
• Experience of project management.
• Practical experience of identifying and delivering improved operational efficiencies.
• Strong written and oral communication skills with various audiences/stakeholders.
• Knowledge of a coding language (Python, SQL, R etc.).

Responsibilities

• Standardisation & Governance: Aligning biobanking practices across ZSL by developing standardised workflows, policies, governance, and legal frameworks.
• Process Optimisation: Streamlining and optimising biobanking processes and workflows, including identifying and implementing automation opportunities where appropriate.
• Legal & Ethical Compliance: Ensuring processes are reviewed and compliant with national and international legal and ethical standards (CITES, Nagoya Protocol and biobanking best practices).
• Strategy & Prioritisation: Supporting the Biobank Manager with the development and implementation of a biobanking strategy and prioritisation.
• Data Sharing & Accessibility: Developing and implementing data-sharing processes to improve external visibility and accessibility of the biobank.
• Data Management: Overseeing data management practices to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and integrity.
• Commitment to working Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Willingness and ability to travel to the Whipsnade site when necessary.

Skills

Project management

Operational efficiency

Communication skills

Python

SQL

R

Education

MSc in STEM field

Lab techniques training

Job description

As Biobank Operations Coordinator, you will play a key role in developing the ZSL Biobank into a valuable resource for scientific research. This new role will develop and implement ZSL’s biobanking processes, streamline and optimise workflows, identify opportunities for automation, and support the development of information management systems and data-sharing platforms, ensuring efficient, compliant and impactful Biobank operations.

This position is based at the Institute of Zoology in Regent’s Park, London, NW1 4RY. Travel to the Whipsnade site may also be required if necessary. The standard working days for this role are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

This role is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, working 3 days per week, with a salary of £22,054.80 per annum including London Weighting (FTE £36,758)

Key Responsibilities

• Standardisation & Governance: Aligning biobanking practices across ZSL by developing standardised workflows, policies, governance, and legal frameworks.
• Process Optimisation: Streamlining and optimising biobanking processes and workflows, including identifying and implementing automation opportunities where appropriate.
• Legal & Ethical Compliance: Ensuring processes are reviewed and compliant with national and international legal and ethical standards (CITES, Nagoya Protocol and biobanking best practices).
• Strategy & Prioritisation: Supporting the Biobank Manager with the development and implementation of a biobanking strategy and prioritisation.
• Data Sharing & Accessibility: Developing and implementing data-sharing processes to improve external visibility and accessibility of the biobank.
• Data Management: Overseeing data management practices to ensure accuracy, accessibility, and integrity.

About You:

• A MSc degree or equivalent in a STEM field
• Experience of project management
• Practical experience of identifying and delivering improved operational efficiencies
• Strong written and oral communication skills with various audiences/stakeholders
• Knowledge of a coding language (Python, SQL, R etc.)
• Training in relevant laboratory techniques will be provided where required.
• Ability to work on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.
• Willingness and ability to travel to the Whipsnade site when necessary.

This role is subject to standard pre-employment checks, including confirmation of your right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

ZSL recognises that conservation is one of the least diverse sectors, and we actively encourage applications from candidates who identify as part of underrepresented communities. We are committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage.

About Us:

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.

What We Offer?

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:

• Up to 12% contributory pension
• Flexible working options
• 25 days' annual leave plus UK bank holidays, increasing with service
• Enhanced family-friendly policies
• Life assurance from day one (for eligible employees)
• 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Access to our staff Equality Networks
• Complimentary London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo tickets, plus retail discounts
• Cycle2Work scheme and interest‑free season ticket loans (for eligible London‑based employees)

You can find the full details of our benefits in the attached Benefits Guide.

We anonymise applications until interview stage to ensure a fair hiring process. It’s important to highlight your unique skills, experience, and knowledge. Over reliance on AI-generated content may miss key criteria outlined in the job description and reduce the effectiveness of your application.

If you have any questions about this role, we’d love to hear from you! Please get in touch with our recruitment team at - [e-mail]