Scientific Engagement Assistant

**Scientific Engagement Assistant**

**We are Chester Zoo**

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 a **Scientific Engagement Assistant** to 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 Assistant**y**ou 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 Dissemin