Details of Job No. 20316
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Job Number:	20316 (Classification: Full time Positions)
Title:	RESEARCH ASSOCIATE/TECHNICIAN
Agency:	Memphis Zoo
Location:	Memphis Zoo
Job Description:	Job Description: Under the general direction of the Director for Research and Conservation, the Research Associate/Technician will be responsible for helping to coordinate departmental studies in reproductive biology, nutrition and behavior. Primary responsibilities include: 1) coordinating current studies on the nutritional ecology and foraging strategy of the Giant Panda; the applicant will be responsible for running assays that quantify a suite of nutritional values on bamboo; coordinate the harvesting and processing of bamboo for proximate macronutrient analysis, starch analysis, sugar analysis through HPLC, and vitamin/mineral composition. Many of these assays are run in-house by the Research Associate, while others are run by our collaborators and require only sample coordination and preparation by the candidate; 2) overseeing the current behavioral studies on the foraging strategy, nutritional ontogeny and reproductive strategies of the Giant Panda (primary responsibilities are to manage the docents and volunteers who collect and enter the data), database entry and spreadsheet management, and designing periodic graphs and reports on the behavioral research results; and 3) running hormone assays for monitoring the reproductive status of the Zoos giant pandas, elephants and other animals in the zoos collection as requested by management for assisted breeding purposes. Additional job responsibilities include overseeing the daily operations of the nutrition and reproductive physiology laboratory (ordering, safety, shipping, inventory maintenance, material preparation, etc.); compiling and maintaining complete and accurate research and conservation records through database entry; statistical analysis; working closely with University collaborators on achieving nutrition project goals; mentoring and logistical coordination of several undergraduate students each year; supervision of research volunteers and docents; production of periodic reports for both U.S. and Chinese officials on Giant Panda research progress; interfacing with other Zoo staff members and Chinese colleagues to facilitate communication; contribute to grant writing for support of department goals; performing other related duties as assigned to support the mission of the research and conservation department and in order to achieve the goals, mission, and objectives of the Zoo; and provide team-related assistance to all senior scientists, research associates, graduate students, and/or post-doctoral fellows in conducting investigations related to the Memphis Zoos collection. This is a two (2) year research associate position with the possibility of continued employment. The candidate is highly encouraged to develop their own nutritional, reproductive or behavior related projects of interest which can be accomplished during their two year initial tenure.
Qualifications:	Requirements for this position include: an advanced university degree (M.S. or higher) in Biology, Zoology, Animal Science, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Nutrition or a related field (B.S. degrees may be considered if candidate has 2 or more years post-degree laboratory work experience); the ability to work days, weekends, evenings and holidays, as needed; the ability to work indoors or outdoors in all types of weather conditions; and the ability to travel to other institutions, collaborating zoological parks, and/or universities in North America and China. The Research Associate/Technician may be exposed to chemical agents in a laboratory setting. We will consider any combination of education, training, and experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform this job. Applications may be downloaded from the Zoos website (www.memphiszoo.org) or obtained from the Zoos Membership Gate, submitted at the Zoo or mailed to Human Resources, Memphis Zoo, 2000 Prentiss Place, Memphis, TN 38112. Send a cover letter, resume or curriculum vitae, Zoo application, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Walk-in interviews, phone calls, and email are not accepted. EOE
Salary:	range depends on experience
Last Date to apply:	January 1, 2010
Website:	www.memphiszoo.org
Contact:	Dr. Andy Kouba E-mail: akouba@memphiszoo.org(Preferred)