Garden Wildlife Health Wildlife Veterinarian (Full-Time / 1 Year Fixed-Term Contract)

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. 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. Through the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists and our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos, we guide and enable others in the UK and all across the world. Inspiring, informing, empowering – working for wildlife.

The Institute of Zoology, the research arm of the Zoological Society of London, affiliated to University College London, invites applications for a Wildlife Veterinarian to co-ordinate the Garden Wildlife Health project (www.gardenwildlifehealth.org). The purpose of this role is to contribute to surveillance of, and research into, the diseases of garden wildlife in Great Britain, particularly where there is a possible conservation threat or novel disease emergence.

Role Profile
We are looking for a veterinarian to help co-manage and co-ordinate the Garden Wildlife Health project alongside a second veterinarian and in partnership with the British Trust for Ornithology, Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (www.gardenwildlifehealth.org). The successful candidate will obtain reports of sick and dead wildlife and conduct post-mortem examinations, select and arrange follow-up diagnostic tests as necessary and interpret the test results in order to reach a veterinary diagnosis. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Ensure case findings are reported back to the submitting members of the public in a timely manner.
• Maintain, develop and analyse databases of results and to curate frozen and wet tissue archives.
• Collate results for research and finance reports to government and funding bodies.
• Develop science outputs, such as peer-reviewed publications, scientific posters and conference presentations.
• Produce educational materials on wildlife health and GWH findings for the public.
• Lead on communication between partners and collaborators, including organising GWH Forum meetings.
• Provide expert veterinary advice and support on wildlife disease incidents to the public and conservation NGOs.
• Develop opportunities and participate in public outreach events to raise awareness of GWH and of disease threats to British wildlife.
• Co-manage the GWH Facebook and Twitter accounts, producing relevant material to communicate the work of the project and research findings.
• Keep up to date with current literature and research findings.

To assist with other relevant tasks as may be required, for example student supervision, molecular laboratory diagnostics, teaching of post-mortem examination techniques to undergraduate and post-graduate students.

Person Specification

• A veterinary degree and membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is an essential requirement
• Relevant clinical/pathological experience
• Good communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
• Demonstration of the following would be advantageous
  • a relevant post-graduate qualification;
  • experience in project management and team-working;
  • experience in outreach, public engagement and science communication;
  • experience in writing scientific papers and popular science articles;
  • experience of digital media communication (website and social media);
  • an interest in wildlife epidemiology, pathology and British wildlife.

To Apply
Applicants will need to upload their CV and covering letter (detailing relevant experience and skills, stating why they want the position and including details of availability) and can do this by clicking the "Apply for this job online" button.