Post-Doctoral Fellow

Sarasota Dolphin Research Program

The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP) is a collaborative partnership dedicated to dolphin research, conservation, and education. The SDRP was started in 1970 through Mote Marine Laboratory when Blair Irvine and high school student Randy Wells began a tagging study to find out if dolphins in the Sarasota Bay area were residents or moved more broadly – it was the first systematic study of bottlenose dolphin ranging patterns.  Findings of multi-decadal, multi-generational residency set the stage for the program to continue and develop into new areas of research.  Since 1989, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS) has led the SDRP partnership, providing an administrative home for the long-term program and support for ongoing program operations, including the CZS employees who form the core program staff. Mote Marine Laboratory, where our initial research was conducted during 1970-1971, has provided a base of operations on Sarasota Bay and access to laboratory facilities and infrastructure since 1992.  The Program Director since the late 1970’s, Dr. Randall Wells, guided the SDRP from a seasonal operation involving teams of volunteers to its current year-round operations with a complement of full and part time staff, who work with graduate students, interns, and volunteers.  The Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, conducting “the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population”, now is a pre-eminent international center for research into the biology, behavior, ecology, health, and impacts of human activities on dolphins in Sarasota Bay and elsewhere around the world. * http://sarasotadolphin.org

With a research focus on Behavioral Ecology and Population Biology, as the Post-Doctoral Fellow, you will develop and implement dolphin research projects, including:  research design, proposal preparation for extramural funding, data collection and analysis, managing project logistics and budget, and reporting to funding agencies.  You will train and oversee interns, graduate students, and staff as necessary for data collection and processing; prepare reports for peer-reviewed scientific publication and presentation; and be responsible for other related duties as assigned, including assisting Senior Conservation Scientist (Program Director), with program management. 

This position is a full-time, two-year, temporary position.  Incumbent should have broad research and conservation interests. 

The requirements for this position include the following: 

• ·         Ph.D. degree in biology or related field required. 

• ·         One year of experience leading dolphin photographic identification surveys required. 

• ·         Minimum of two years of experience piloting small boats required. 

• ·         Outstanding verbal and written communication skills, including proven ability in writing of reports and scientific papers, grant proposal preparation, and oral presentations. 

• ·         Computer competency required, including skills in Microsoft Office, database management, and statistical packages. 

• ·         Must have a demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize tasks as necessary.  Must have ability to work collaboratively. 

• ·         Must represent the Society in a professional manner at all times. 

• ·         Experience and/or ability to work and interact effectively with a diverse, multicultural audience. 

• ·         Valid driver’s license required.  Florida residents must possess a valid Florida license within 30 days of hire.  Valid out-of-state license required for out-of-state residents. 

The desirable/preferred qualifications include the following:

• ·         Broad research and conservation interests preferred. 

• ·         Experience with programs such as FinBase, SOCPROG, MARK, R, Bayesian analyses and GIS skills desirable. 

• ·         Experience leading focal animal behavioral follows desirable.  Strong quantitative analytical skills desirable. 

• ·         Radio-tracking experience desirable. 

• ·         Multilingual ability, Spanish fluency a plus.

The Chicago Zoological Society is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer – Minorities / Women / Veterans / Disabled.

CZS would like to fill this position no later than 31 December 2014; complete applications should be submitted by 30 September 2014.  If interested in being considered for this opportunity, please visit the CZS Career Center to obtain more details about the position and to apply by submitting your profile, along with your CV.  Please visit our website at www.czs.org/czs/careers.  Please look for requisition number 574BR.