About

Conservation Biologist & Laboratory Coordinator

• Located at Sydney’s Iconic Taronga Zoo
• Three year temporary contract, full time (38 hours per week)
• TCSA Salaried Employees Award, Clerk Grade 7, annual package $128,726.53 (includes base salary $113,574 + plus superannuation & leave loading)

Taronga Western Plains Zoo is looking for an experienced and motivated Conservation Biologist & Laboratory Coordinator to join our Welfare Conservation and Science team!

The Conservation Biologist and Laboratory Coordinator works across science, operations, and communications to assist in achieving Taronga’s vision, with dedicated focus on supporting the management of zoo-based and priority wild populations.

The purpose of the Conservation Biologist and Laboratory Coordinator is to maintain the world-class services of Taronga’s Wildlife Reproduction and Resilience Lab, and in turn support reproductive, genetic and health management of zoo-based and priority wild populations. They will work to actively contribute to key conservation outcomes and work closely with and provide collaborative, mutual support to Taronga’s wildlife hospitals and other Taronga Wildlife Operations teams.

Key Accountabilities…
• Operate the Wildlife Reproduction and Resilience Lab, providing diagnostic laboratory services for monitoring and managing the reproduction, genetic diversity, health and wellbeing of wildlife populations in the care of Taronga Western Plains Zoo and Taronga Zoo.
• Maintaining strong communications with Manager, Conservation Science to prioritise tasks associated with a broad range of programs with overlapping and competing timeframes.
• Assist with internal and external wildlife management projects with focus on reproductive monitoring and health assessments, providing evidence-based advice to Taronga wildlife managers and key external conservation organisations, to maximise conservation outcomes.
• Accountable for financial management of the Wildlife Reproductive and Resilience Lab, providing regular strategic direction building on a business plan that prioritises organisational objectives including service work.
• Support Taronga’s conservation science programs in line with organisational priorities and culturally-safe practices, the results of which are to be collaboratively prepared and submitted to high impact peer-reviewed journals.
• Work effectively as a member of a high performing team including peers, volunteers and students to assist Taronga in its achievement of strategic outcomes.
• Contribute to undergraduate and graduate level education programs through course development, presentations, student supervision and publications.
• Ensure legislative compliance with all local, State, Federal and international legislation, regulations and conventions as they pertain to the responsibilities of zoo animal management, research and wildlife reintroduction.
• Help to secure funds to implement wildlife management and research program objectives.
• Comply with sustainability practices in the workplace to help achieve Taronga's sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact.

About You…
We are looking for candidates that have:
• Degree in Reproductive Sciences, post-graduate training, and/or significant experience in comparative physiology and health investigations (zoo- and wild-based populations).
• Demonstrated stakeholder management, project management and organisational skills.
• Demonstrated experience in laboratory management and provision of diagnostic services.
• Good understanding of wildlife population management.
• Experience undertaking grant writing and fundraising for wildlife conservation activities and/or research.
• Obtain and maintain a current volunteer Working with Children Check at own expense.

Benefits…
Our employees enjoy generous employment conditions including some of the following:
• Flexible Hybrid work model - Taronga supports a blend of in-office, remote, and on-the-go workers!
• Complimentary family and friends passes across both Taronga’s Sydney & Dubbo Zoo’s
• Free onsite car parking, outside of peak periods
• A wide range of discounts on our award winning accommodation across both sites
• Discounted food and beverage purchases across the sites
• Discounted Fitness Passport
• We’re a social team - there’s always lots going on around the zoo that we get involved with!
• + more!

We Value Diversity…
Taronga is an equal opportunity employer, where we recognise the diversity of our workforce and community – be it on the basis of gender, age, culture, religion, language or personal circumstances.

Taronga is also committed to building on the perspectives, experience, knowledge and skills that this diversity brings to our organisation.

About Applying…
Applications via the Taronga Website: https://careers.taronga.org.au/go/Sydney-Jobs/7885410/
Please submit your resume and a cover letter of one page. You are also required to complete the two target questions as part of your application.

1. Provide an example of when you led the development and/or implementation of a program supporting wildlife management. Outline your responsibilities in the program, the techniques you used (including laboratory diagnostics) to progress key objectives, and the measurable impact(s) of the program. Please respond in the text box provided or attach your response in a separate document (word limit: 300).

2. Working productively with internal and external stakeholders is an essential skill to be successful in this role. Describe your approach to stakeholder engagement and give a specific example of when you have applied this successfully in a challenging project. Please respond in the text box provided or attach your response in a separate document (word limit: 300).

Applications Close: 11:59pm, Wednesday 22 October 2025