Wildlife Biotechnology & Biobanking Technician at Memphis Zoo

 

Position Overview

We are seeking a skilled and passionate Wildlife Biotechnology & Biobanking Technician to join our Memphis Zoo Conservation and Research team to work in reproductive technologies and molecular biology to advance wildlife conservation.

As a core member of our lab, you will manage our biomaterial repository (biobank), conduct biobanking and reproductive research, and assist with processing and extraction of samples for routine molecular assays for qPCR disease testing and enzyme immunoassay to assist with data-driven animal management. This position reports directly to the Senior Conservation Biologist and offers a unique opportunity to apply cutting-edge biotechnology directly to endangered species preservation.

 

Essential Job Functions:

Assist with planning and execution of conservation and biobanking research projects, for biobanking genetics of Southeastern endangered snakes and other species as well as coordinate opportunistic biobanking collections during routine physicals exams and post-mortem rescue of the zoo’s animals.Assist with in situ conservation and research efforts, including multi-day trips to Louisiana, Florida, and Mississippi to collect samples from wild-collected snakes for biobanking, data curation and processing, etc.Assist with ex situ conservation and research efforts, including but not limited to assisting with captive-breeding, running laboratory assays, training others to collect samples. 

Key Responsibilities

Biobanking & Repository Management

Preserve and catalog diverse biological samples (e.g., tissue, blood, gametes, and cells) from wildlife species.Maintain cryopreservation equipment (liquid nitrogen tanks, ultra-low freezers) and manage digital inventory database systems.Ensure strict adherence to quality control, biosafety protocols, and sample tracking standards.Travel with researchers for collection and biobanking samples at other Zoos and facilitiesReproductive Research & Biotechnology

Assist in assisted reproductive technology (ART) research, including semen collection techniques, semen analysis, gamete processing, and cryopreservation protocols.Prepare media, reagents, and specialized equipment for reproductive physiology experiments.Support endocrine monitoring initiatives by performing routine fecal hormone extractions and enzyme immunoassays (EIAs).Monitor and document experimental outcomes with high precision.Molecular Biology Support

Perform routine DNA/RNA extractions from a variety of challenging wildlife tissue types.Run qPCR/PCR assays for disease screening for heard/colony health monitoring and conservation initiativesLaboratory Operations & Collaboration

Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment in coordination with the Lab Manager.Work with lab manager to maintain laboratory instrumentation.Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including veterinarians, animal care teams, and external conservation partners.Assist with preparations of permit applications and reports.Contribute to scientific manuscripts.Mentor students and volunteers.Foster a positive, collaborative, safe, and encouraging professional environment.Perform various duties as assigned. 

Qualifications & Skills

Required:

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Science, Molecular Biology, Reproductive Physiology, Animal Science or a closely related field.Experience: Minimum of 1–2 years of hands-on laboratory experience (academic or professional).Technical Skills: Strong record of use and knowledge of reproductive biology techniques (e.g., microscopy, gamete handling)Experience with semen analysis (including CASA, flow cytometry, staining techniques) and cryopreservation techniqueExperience with basic lab techniques and equipmentFamiliarity with sterile techniques and basic liquid handling.Preferred:

Master’s degree in Biology, Wildlife Science, Molecular Biology, Reproductive Physiology, Animal Science or a closely related field. Knowledge of reproductive biology techniques (e.g., microscopy, gamete handling).Familiarity with computer assisted sperm analysis (CASA).Experience with immunoassays and sample extractions.Experience with DNA/RNA extraction and qPCR/PCR setup 

Attributes:

Exceptional organizational skills, meticulous record-keeping, and a strong commitment to wildlife conservation. Record of effectively communicating conservation and research efforts, goals, and accomplishments to the public. Record of peer-reviewed publications and/or conference presentations. Proficient in MS office suite and R or other programs for statistical analysis 

Supervisory Responsibility: Students, interns, and volunteers may be the supervisory responsibility of this position.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, chemicals and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet while in the office, or moderately loud while on Zoo grounds.

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:

Authorized now to work in the U.S. for any employer.Valid driver’s license.Proof of current automobile insurance.Clear driving record.Clear background check.Clear drug screening.Clear TB screening. 

Compensation: Rate: $45,000 USD per year +Benefits

 

Benefits (subject to applicable waiting periods):

Medical, dental, vision. FSA, HSA.Short and Long Term Disability. Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D. 401K 

Reporting Structure: Reports to the Senior Conservation Biologist.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:  This is a full-time position that works up to 40 hrs per week and may require weekend and holiday work. A mixture of travel, fieldwork, lab work, and administration is to be expected.

 

Application Deadline: Nov 13, 2026.

Starting Date: December 15, 2025. Negotiable within limits.

To Apply:  Submit applications directly to https://www.memphiszoo.org/careers. Applications should include the following:

Cover letter (2 pages max)Curriculum vitaeNames and contacts of three people who can provide letters of recommendation at the time of application submission.All files should be combined into one single PDF with the file name “BiotechnologyTech_LAST NAME” and uploaded under “Documents”.

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions can be directed to Beth Roberts broberts@memphiszoo.org

 

 

The Predictive Ecology Lab at the University of North Carolina Greensboro (UNCG) is recruiting a PhD student to join our lab in Fall 2027. The position will be part of a NASA funded project focused on grazing impacts on carbon storage in grasslands and drylands. As part of their dissertation, the student will conduct independent research that uses existing long-term data from multiple grassland and dryland sites to parameterize and run a NASA-funded demographic vegetation model. The student’s primary mentor will be Dr. Kevin Wilcox in the UNCG Predictive Ecology Lab and will be co-advised with Dr. Ensheng Weng, a Research Scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research in the Columbia Climate School. The student will receive training in how to use predictive tools, such as demographic vegetation models and state-of-the-art statistical analyses. Student support will include tuition coverage, student stipend, and all work travel expenses. Please see our lab website for additional information about who we are and what we do (https://kevinwilcox.weebly.com/).

 

Application close date: November 30, 2026

Location: University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

Position start date: August 2027

 

Location: UNCG is an inclusive learning community with a campus-wide culture that embodies access, equity, diversity, excellence, and collaboration, with an enrollment of more than 19,000 students, including 3,500 graduate students and 2,800 faculty and staff. UNCG is located in a metropolitan area of more than 1.6 million in the Piedmont region of North Carolina with 20 regional universities and community colleges, and one hour from the Raleigh/Durham Research Triangle Park.

 

Desired qualifications:

·        Bachelor of Science degree in related field with GPA of 3.0 or higher

·        General understanding of plant ecology

·        Experience conducting biological research

·        Some experience with computer programming

·        Strong work ethic

·        Insatiable curiosity about the natural world

·        Willingness to learn new techniques and skills, including using process-based models

 

For full consideration, please send your application package as a single PDF by November 30th, at 5 pm ET to k_wilcox@uncg.edu. Please include GRAZING CARBON PHD APPLICATION in the subject line of the email. The application package PDF should include:

1.      A two-page letter outlining your research interests, training, and why you are interested in this position

2.      Curriculum vitae or resume

3.      Contact information (email and phone numbers) for two academic or professional references. We will only contact references for candidates that are in final contention for the position.

Graduate (M.S.) position in forest dynamics and landscape change of pinyon-juniper woodlands

Location: University of Nevada, Reno, NV.

Preferred Start Date: May 15, 2026.

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science, University of Nevada, Reno has available a graduate (M.S.) research assistantship position to study forest dynamics and landscape change in pinyon-juniper woodlands, under the co-mentorship of Dr. Peter Weisberg (Great Basin Landscape Ecology Lab) and Dr. Bob Shriver (Quantitative Plant Ecology Lab). The project involves resampling of permanent plots in singleleaf pinyon pine and Utah juniper woodlands. Study plots, originally established in 2005 and last resampled in 2015, are scattered throughout eleven mountain ranges in central Nevada and encompass a gradient of stand ages from recently established to old growth. The M.S. student will develop a research project addressing stand development of semi-arid woodlands and plant community response to long-term drought, while providing valuable information for natural resource managers on woodland expansion, dieback and drought resilience. Field sampling will include surveys of overstory and understory vegetation, tree vigor and mortality, cone production, and microsite conditions associated with tree regeneration. Geospatial analysis and statistical modeling will be used to generalize field data to an understanding of long-term population trends and landscape-level variation in woodland change processes. This student position will be part of the recently established Nevada Forest and Woodland Restoration Institute focused on investigating, translating, and sharing science on forest and woodland health and wildfire impacts, fuel treatments, and forest ecosystem processes to guide management throughout the Great Basin and Eastern Sierra. For more information about the project, contact: Peter Weisberg at pweisberg@unr.edu.

Desired Qualifications:

The position is fully funded, with a stipend of at least $2,500 per month.

If interested, please contact Dr. Peter Weisberg at pweisberg@unr.edu with the following as attachments: (1) A one-page cover letter briefly describing your research interests and research experience, (2) your resume/CV including contact information for at least two professional references, and (3) unofficial transcripts. Review of applications will begin immediately; applications received by November 20th will receive full consideration.  Top-ranked candidates will then be encouraged to submit a formal application to the Graduate School. Please note that the application deadlines for the NRES and EECB graduate programs are December 1st and December 15th, respectively.

                                                                                                                        
UNR Graduate Program Information:
Candidates will be admitted through either the Natural Resources and Environmental Science (NRES) or the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology (EECB) graduate program. Both programs are part of the UNR Graduate School and students are encouraged to read through the program specific and graduate school websites for more information about eligibility, admissions, and life in Reno.

UNR is a Carnegie classified R1 institution with a wonderful community of basic and applied quantitative ecologists.  Reno is at the western edge of the Great Basin and base of the eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains with incredible access to outdoor recreational activities including skiing, climbing, hiking, and mountain biking. We are ~45 minutes from Lake Tahoe, 2.5 hours from Yosemite and Lassen National Parks, and 3.5 hours from San Francisco Bay Area. Reno also has a diverse artistic and cultural community with much to offer.

Administrative Assistant to the PI

The Martins Lab at the University of Oklahoma has two open positions for graduate students (MSc and/or PhD) starting in Fall 2027.

The successful candidates will work on data synthesis projects focused on parasite macroecology in amphibian and reptile hosts. The project involves investigating the drivers of parasite diversity and load at different scales and levels of biological organization. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and engage in fieldwork and experimental approaches. These positions will be supported by a combination of TA and RA appointments.

Interested? More information here: https://martins-lab.weebly.com
Applications will be reviewed as they are received until November 7.

Minerals in ecosystem management and climate solutions: Explore mineral weathering and plant–microbe–mineral interactions, their impacts on nutrient and carbon cycling, and their implications for ecosystem management and carbon removal.

Next-generation ecosystem models: Develop approaches to representing plant and microbial traits, omics-informed processes, and soil food webs in ecosystem models, potentially leveraging machine learning and AI.

Qualifications: Applicants from microbiology, ecology, soil or environmental science, geography, computer science, applied mathematics, or related fields are welcome. We particularly encourage students with strong quantitative skills, research initiative, and interests in interdisciplinary research. Experience with Python, R, Fortran, or other programming languages is desirable, but prior modeling experience is not required.

Funding: Admitted students receive five years of funding, including a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance, through a combination of teaching and research assistantships and, where applicable, Bredesen Center support.

Application pathways and deadlines:

Microbiology PhD program: December 1, 2026. https://micro.utk.edu/graduate/

Bredesen Center PhD programs: December 15, 2026. https://bredesencenter.utk.edu/phd-programs/

Data Science and Engineering (DSE), Genome Science and Technology (GST), or Energy Science and Engineering (ESE)

Microbiology and GST students enter through first-year rotations, while DSE and ESE typically match students with supervisors upon admission. Applicants to DSE or ESE should identify Dr. Shao as a prospective advisor.

Interested students should email Dr. Siya Shao at sshao3@utk.edu before submitting a formal application, using the subject line “Prospective graduate student.” Please include (1) a brief statement of your research interests, relevant experience, and fit for the lab, (2) your CV, (3) unofficial transcripts, and (4) the graduate program you are considering (Microbiology or a Bredesen Center program).