Post Doctoral Fellow in Ex/In Situ Conservation focusing on Alligator Snapping Turtles (Full Time)

Memphis Zoo is seeking an independently motivated, ambitious, and highly energetic individual for a 3-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Conservation and Research. Specifically, the Memphis Zoo is seeking a candidate with experience linking ex situ and in situ conservation who is able to lead a new Alligator Snapping Turtle conservation and research initiative. Memphis Zoo has a long history with Macrochelys, having displayed many large specimens through the decades, and Memphis Zoo researchers Dr. Steve Reichling and Dr. Sinlan (Sheila) Poo have initiated this new signature collaboration with Dr. Lori Neuman-Lee (Arkansas State University), in partnership with Wolf River Conservancy, USFWS, and TWRA.

Post Doctoral Fellow

Summary:

The purpose of the Postdoc is to broaden the Memphis Zoo’s progress towards its wildlife conservation priorities. The Fellow’s responsibility is to develop new research projects and nurture existing conservation-oriented partnerships focused on advancing the Zoo’s mission, with a specific focus on Alligator Snapping Turtles, a species native to the greater Memphis area and West Tennessee.

We seek a passionate conservation biologist with the skills, experience, and desire to advance one of these programs by combining ex situ and in situ research projects. This work will include a significant field component, including surveying and monitoring existing wild populations in the area, and a captive component, through increasing the ex situ conservation capacity at the Memphis Zoo. The successful candidate may approach the challenge from a wide range of perspectives including, but not limited to, ecology, physiology, evolution, animal behavior, microbiology, or nutrition.

Essential Dates:

• This is a 3-year appointment.


• The application deadline is May 1, 2026.


• Application reviews will begin after April 1, 2026.


• Anticipated start date for position is August 1, 2026.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop, conduct, and supervise projects that make a clear, positive, and measurable impact on the target conservation issues.


• Effectively communicate conservation and research efforts, goals, and accomplishments to the public.


• Successfully pursue networking opportunities and collaborations with universities and partnering Institutions.


• Secure external funding to augment internal research funds.


• Engage in media, development, and public speaking opportunities.


• Mentor, nurture, and develop research capacity in students, interns, and technicians.


• Foster a positive, collaborative, safe, and encouraging professional environment.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• PhD in biological sciences, wildlife biology, animal science, or related field. 


• Experience designing and coordinating research projects.


• Strong record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant disciplines.


• Strong record of applying to and securing grants.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• 5+ years of experience developing, leading, and managing research projects.


• Experience in domestic or international field research.


• Proven track record for developing and cultivating intra- and inter-institutional research collaborations, including stakeholders from non-profits, government agencies, and academic intuitions.


• Effective articulation of scientific discoveries and conservation issues to the public.


• Strong record of student mentorship.

Competencies:

• Proficient in R statistical software or equivalent.


• Proficient in MS Office and recordkeeping software & systems.


• Oral and written communication.


• Critical thinking and analysis.


• Strategic planning.


• Records and reports creation and management.


• Problem solving.


• Stress management/composure.


• Flexibility.


• Teamwork orientation.

Supervisory Responsibility: Students, interns, and staff technicians may be the supervisory responsibility of this position. Mentorship is an important part of this position and should be expected. This may include supervision on zoo grounds or in the field.

Reporting Structure: Reports to Curator of Research, Dr. Sinlan Poo. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

Full-time positions are defined as positions scheduled to work approximately up to 40 hours a week. Scheduling is at the discretion of the manager. This position regularly requires flexible hours including weekdays, holidays, and weekends including early morning, daytime, and evening hours. A mixture of field work, lab work, travel and administration is to be expected.

This position is considered exempt under the federal and state wage and hour laws.  

Work Environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee will frequently work in alternate settings between indoors (office environment) and outdoors (Zoo grounds or field sites). When outdoors this position is required to work in various weather conditions including rain, humidity, and extreme heat or cold.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

This position requires frequent sitting/standing/walking/bending/kneeling and may occasionally move or lift objects up to 50 pounds. Position also requires ability to navigate through Zoo grounds and to field sites.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

​Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Other Requirements:

• 21 years or older.


• Clear background check.


• Clear drug screening. 


• Clear TB screening.


• Valid driver's license.


• Clear MVR screening.


• Proof of current automobile insurance.

Benefits & Perks

The Memphis Zoo has a comprehensive benefits and employee perks package. Please see our Memphis Zoo Careers page for details.  

EEOC and Inclusion Statement: 

The Memphis Zoo believes that human diversity is as important as the biodiversity we seek to conserve. World-class zoos are comprised of world-class team members representing a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We value a diverse workplace and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, and veterans to apply. 

The Memphis Zoo is an equal-opportunity employer. Applicants will not be discriminated against because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, citizenship status, disability, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws. If you need to request any accommodations for the interview or hiring process, please let the Human Resources team (HR) know. HR can be contacted at [email protected]. 

The Memphis Zoo participates in E-Verify and is an EEO/ADA/Veteran employer.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of pre-employment screening. Memphis Zoo is a drug-free workplace.

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Application Requirements:

• Cover letter (1 page max)


• Strong statement of research interest or (preferably) a research proposal that incorporates in situ and ex situ conservation of Alligator Snapping Turtles (3 page max)


• CV


• A list of three professional references who are ready to send recommendation letters upon request


• All above files should be submitted in a single PDF with the file name “AST Postdoc_LastName” and uploaded under “Documents” through the online Job application portal

Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

How to Apply:

Applications should be submitted via the Memphis Zoo Careers page. Please note that any other application submissions will not be considered. www.memphiszoo.org/careers.