Scientific Engagement Assistant

BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums); Noordwes; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading wildlife charity in South Africa is seeking a Scientific Engagement Assistant to support their Science and Conservation teams. The role combines lab work and public engagement, focusing on Wildlife Endocrinology. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and strong laboratory skills. This position offers a fixed-term contract with competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

33 days annual leave

Healthcare plan

Discounted gym membership

Pension scheme with contributions

Qualifications

• Demonstrated laboratory experience and delivery of results.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in developing learning and engagement activities.

Responsibilities

• Support laboratory work and ensure high-quality results.
• Engage the public with science projects.
• Translate lab findings into interactive activities.

Skills

Laboratory skills

Scientific communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Creativity in engagement

Education

Bachelor of Science degree

Tools

Laboratory equipment

Data presentation software

Job description

Chester Zoo

North West Closing date for applications is: 15th Aug 2025

We’re not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that’s home to 20,000 incredible animals inside 128 acres of stunning gardens. We’re not just the UK’s most popular zoo. We’re a major wildlife charity that’s committed to the recovery of endangered species, globally. And, as the world faces an extinction crisis, we’re making a hugely significant contribution to conservation at a time when it’s needed most. We are Chester Zoo, and we prevent extinction.

The Role

We have an exciting vacancy for aScientific Engagement Assistantto work between our Science and Conservation Education & Engagement Teams.

The Scientific Engagement Assistant will combine practical science skills with strong science communication, supporting the Science and Conservation Education & Engagement (CE&E) teams to disseminate one of Chester Zoo’s specialised areas of scientific innovation, Wildlife Endocrinology, both with the public and with scientific stakeholders.

They will use knowledge and understanding of our leading scientific practice to carry out practical science work alongside the Conservation Physiology & Reproduction team and contribute to the dissemination of this work with the scientific community. By consolidating learning from hands-on science practice, they will collaborate with colleagues across the Conservation & Engagement teams to develop and deliver engaging, interactive activities designed to share our science activity in an accessible, creative and inspiring way in the Chester Zoo lab exhibit. The role will sit between the Science and CE&E teams equally, with a mixture of practical lab work and engagement activity paired with time for consolidation of learning, content development, sharing and dissemination.

Within our Science Department, the Scientific Engagement Assistant will be based within our International Centre for Zoo Science, working primarily in our Wildlife Endocrinology Laboratory. They will support the Conservation Physiology & Reproduction team with routine laboratory work, including organizing sample shipments, cataloguing and processing samples, running assays, preparing buffers and reagents, washing dishes, stock control, maintenance of freezer sample database, maintaining laboratory cleanliness, maintaining accurate and detailed records and ensuring quality control. They will support the Science Department to ensure Chester Zoo maintains the highest external reputation and credibility as a world-leader in one of the zoo’s specialised areas of scientific innovation and research excellence and contribute to specific programme projects, effectively translating scientific outputs on projects to maximise conservation impact to achieve Chester Zoo’s conservation strategies and mission.

Within our CE&E Department, the Scientific Engagement Assistant will translate their practical lab experience and findings into creative, interactive activities in the Chester Zoo lab exhibit. They will engage the public with our pioneering science work and build connections to grow Science Capital, encouraging our visitors to see that science is relevant to their life. They will support embedding STEM engagement across our in-zoo engagement activity, with a particular focus on connecting young people with STEM careers. Taking an organised, collaborative approach, they will develop and deliver inspiring, innovative engagement activities to a high standard, evaluate impact and reach and ensure activity is safe and tailored to the needs of the audience.

We’re looking for someone who can:

• Contribute to the Conservation Physiology and Reproduction research programme using technically robust scientific methods, particularly laboratory skills
• Create inspiring content, and deliver engaging activities for a wide range of audiences
• Work under pressure, either independently or as part of a team, with a positive attitude to enthuse and engage others.
• Work with colleagues to maximise scientific impact, achieve learning goals and improve participant experience by contributing to research about our programmes.
• Effectively prioritise their own time
• Work collaboratively across multiple departments to achieve common goals
  

As a Scientific Engagement Assistantyou will:

• Science Projects: Support the Lead Conservation Scientist with the Conservation Physiology & Reproduction programme annual tactical plan by working on prioritised research projects within one of the zoo’s areas of expertise and working collaboratively both internally and externally to deliver novel research projects.
• Laboratory Work: With support from the Lead Conservation Scientist, conduct laboratory work and ensure data is of high standard, robust, and delivered in a timely manner to support the delivery of research that contributes to the scientific capacity and reputation of the programme and results in evidence-based decision making.
• Science Dissemination: Contribute towards the dissemination of the programme’s science outputs to key scientific stakeholders including peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications or suitable external meetings to influence and advise external professional committees/boards.
• CE&E Projects: Support the Conservation Education and Engagement Directorate strategic plan by increasing the impact of a zoo visit, working collaboratively with teams across schools, public programmes and volunteering to animate the Chester Zoo demonstration lab and share our pioneering science work with the public.
• Education & Engagement Content Development and Delivery: Develop skills and knowledge in the areas of conservation education and engagement, using a variety of engagement approaches to create and deliver audience focussed content. Follow policies, standard operating procedures, safe working practices and best practice, and ensure compliance with all relevant guidelines and legislation.
• Conservation Education Evaluation and Dissemination: Set clear, audience focussed objectives and work with the wider team to measure the impact of activity against these objectives. Contribute to reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders. Work collaboratively to share new learning regarding Chester Zoo science activities with the wider team to inform activity across the Directorate.

What makes Chester Zoo a great place to work?

Well, where do we start? Here goes…

We’re a huge team of conservationists, scientists, educators, animal welfare experts, marketeers, visitor experience professionals, environmental policy influencers; the list goes on. Each and every one of us is on a mission to make Chester Zoo the best in the world, and our planet a better place.

As the UK’s biggest and best zoo, we have ambitious goals, exciting plans, and there’s always lots going on here. We’re an inclusive and diverse organisation, made up of nearly 500 permanent and 500 seasonal team members, and we know how important it is to invest in our colleagues to help boost their career development. We have ambitious goals, and we want you to be with us for the long term on our exciting journey.

Our working environment could not be more different from a typical office – where else can you see critically endangered orangutans from your office window, or stroll among rare giraffes and tigers on your lunch break?

The Package

• Fixed-term, 12-month contract
• 40 hours per week
• Salary between £26,500 - £27,307 per annum depending on experience (pro rata)
• 33 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Staff pass so you can visit the zoo during your time off, plus multiple complimentary tickets for your friends and family
• Cycle to work scheme
• Healthcare plan and employee assistance programme
• Discounted gym membership
• Discounts on cinema tickets, restaurants, high street shops and more via Perks
• Pension scheme with generous employer contributions up to 9%

Our Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field
• Demonstrated ability of laboratory skills and delivery of results on time and to a high standard
• Evidence with data presentation and contribution to scientific reports or publications
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage with a wide range of different audiences
• Experience developing learning and engagement activities
• Experience in a visitor/customer facing role
• A dynamic and creative mind, along with confidence in performance of interactive engagement
• Ability to work effectively under own initiative and as part of a team, to work under pressure with a positive attitude and to enthuse and engage others.
• Excellent time management and planning skills.
• Ability to maintain partnerships and collaborations to enable project delivery
• Have knowledge of zoos and their conservation function

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may take place whilst the advert is live and the advert will close once a suitable candidate has been found.

BIAZA's office hours are 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Contact outside of those times will get a response when we are next in the office.

If your enquiry is urgent and you need a response before the BIAZA office reopens, please call Jo Judge on 07593 580602. If you wish to reach one of our members, please contact them directly.

The British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales number 6789783.Registered Office Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY. Registered Charity Number is 1128168 and SC040783 (Scotland)