Research Assistant (WildGenes)

ZipRecruiter; City of Edinburgh; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife conservation organization in Edinburgh is seeking a Conservation Genetics Specialist to assist with various genetics projects. The role involves managing genetic datasets, conducting analyses, and representing the organization at conferences. Applicants should hold an MSc in a relevant field and have experience in genetic analysis and project management. Competitive salary and excellent benefits, including healthcare and pension schemes, are offered.

Benefits

Starting salary between £28,037 - £28,738

37.5hr working week

34 days annual leave

Discount in retail/catering

Access to healthcare plan

Employer contributory pension scheme

Free entry to wildlife parks and zoos

Qualifications

• Educated to MSc level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.
• At least one publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
• Experience of standard molecular genetic laboratory techniques.

Responsibilities

• Take responsibility for delivery of conservation genetic projects.
• Undertake analyses on a variety of genetic datasets.
• Prepare project reports and manuscripts for submission to journals.
• Represent RZSS at meetings and conferences.

Skills

Population genetics application

Standard genetic analysis

Project management

Collaboration with conservation organizations

Education

MSc in relevant discipline

Tools

R

Unix

Job description

Job Description

The role:

To assist with the implementation and dissemination of conservation genetics projects, to agreed standards and under the appropriate guidance and support within the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) WildGenes team.

This is a 3-year fixed term position

Some of the things you’ll do:

• To take responsibility for delivery of conservation genetic projects being run by the WildGenes team, to include experimental design, analysis, administration and reporting
• Undertake analyses on a wide variety of genetic datasets, including mitochondrial DNA, microsatellites and SNPs generated via RADseq, target capture or genome resequencing (where required)
• To contribute to the dissemination of WildGenes research through the preparation of project reports and/or manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed journal.
• Where required, work closely with the research scientists on bioinformatic analyse and assist the Research Scientist(s), in conducting literature reviews, as well as qualitative and quantitative research
• To represent and act as an RZSS ambassador at meetings (internal and external) and conferences with knowledge of conservation genetics
• Ensure the cycle of monitoring, evaluating, and learning is part of project design and reporting.
• Ensure that, where appropriate, scientific activities follow the guidance from relevant bodies of authority to ensure legal compliance, for example, EAZA, BIAZA, CITES, Defra, Home Office, Zoo Licencing, GDPR

What we’re looking for:

• Educated to MSc level (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline
• Ability to apply knowledge regarding the application of population genetics to wildlife conservation management
• At least one publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal
• Ability to collaborate with a range of external partners including scientific and applied conservation organisations
• Proficient in standard genetic analysis and experience of standard molecular genetic laboratory techniques and of population genetic and genomic data analysis including the use of coding in R, unix or similar.
• Experience of project management

What you’ll getin return:

• Starting salary between £28,037 - £28,738 (offer based on experience) with future salary progression up to £31,250 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.

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.

Interested candidates are therefore encouraged to submit applications, as soon as possible.