Job Description

Conservation Fellow

We are Chester Zoo

We're not just an amazing, award-winning visitor attraction that's home to 30,000 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 Conservation Fellow to join our Science Department on a Part-time 12-month fixed-term basis. This role will have a particular focus on developing a framework for disease risk management in wildlife biobanking. The successful candidate be desk-based within our International Centre for Zoo Science, UK but will be working closely with International biobanking partner Toronto Zoo, Canada.

Principle Accountabilities

Lead on a prioritised research project focused on disease risk assessment and mitigation in wildlife biobanking by working collaboratively both internally and externally to design and deliver a disease management framework. Ensure scientific outputs and findings of the research are disseminated to key stakeholders through various outlets including peer-reviewed and non-peer reviewed publications, dissemination at suitable external meetings to influence and advise external professional committees/boards. Deliver scientific training focused on biobanking and disease risk scientific expertise to support the zoo's Conservation Training Academy, providing comprehensive and innovative learning and training for the conservationists of the future.

The Project:

Conservation biobanking involves the collection of samples from free-ranging individuals of unknown disease status. Understanding the associated risk and ensuring the health and safety of cryopreserved samples is instrumental to preventing unintended spread of pathogens during sample collection, storage, and transfer. Effective disease risk management not only upholds biosecurity standards but also strengthens conservation efforts, enabling responsible biodiversity preservation through distribution of disease-free genetic material.

The objectives of this project are:

To undertake a literature review of endemic diseases of concern for cryostorage across vertebrate taxa. To complete a disease risk assessment for gametes, embryos and tissues obtained from free-ranging individuals. To establish a framework for disease risk management and generate biosecurity protocols for wildlife biobanks.


This post-doctoral fellowship is funded by Toronto Zoo and is part of the Chester Zoo Conservation Fellows programme. In collaboration with Toronto Zoo a lead supervisory team will comprise members of the Science Department at Chester Zoo, Dr Sue Walker (Head of Science) and Dr Katie Edwards, and at Toronto Zoo, Dr Gabriela Mastromonaco (Chief Science Officer) and Dr. Nic Masters (Director of Wildlife Health).

The Project:

Conservation biobanking involves the collection of samples from free-ranging individuals of unknown disease status. Understanding the associated risk and ensuring the health and safety of cryopreserved samples is instrumental to preventing unintended spread of pathogens during sample collection, storage, and transfer. Effective disease risk management not only upholds biosecurity standards but also strengthens conservation efforts, enabling responsible biodiversity preservation through distribution of disease-free genetic material.

The objectives of this project are:

To undertake a literature review of endemic diseases of concern for cryostorage across vertebrate taxa. To complete a disease risk assessment for gametes, embryos and tissues obtained from free-ranging individuals. To establish a framework for disease risk management and generate biosecurity protocols for wildlife biobanks.


This post-doctoral fellowship is funded by Toronto Zoo and is part of the Chester Zoo Conservation Fellows programme. In collaboration with Toronto Zoo a lead supervisory team will comprise members of the Science Department at Chester Zoo, Dr Sue Walker (Head of Science) and Dr Katie Edwards, and at Toronto Zoo, Dr Gabriela Mastromonaco (Chief Science Officer) and Dr. Nic Masters (Director of Wildlife Health).

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 over 600 permanent and 500 temporary 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 16 hours per week Salary of 15,933.20 per annum pro rata based on 16 hours. (39,833 FTE) 33 days annual leave (FTE, pro-rata plus) Opportunity for flexible / hybrid working 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

The successful candidate will have:

A PhD in a related field or equivalent field experience Have knowledge of zoos and their conservation function Demonstrated ability to innovate, lead, resource and deliver projects on time and to a high standard Ability to establish credibility, command respect and influence at all levels Ability to present information clearly and concisely in verbal presentations and written communications, including scientific writing and media communications to stakeholders at all levels Evidence of peer-reviewed publications Proven ability to work in and contribute to a team environment High proficiency with advanced data analysis relevant to the field Extensive experience with biobanking and disease risk assessment

Please be aware that we reserve the right to close our vacancies earlier than the listed date if we have received a high level of applications. We recommend that if you do wish to be considered that you submit your application as promptly as possible as shortlisting and interviews may be taking place whilst the advert is live.