International Species Information System
Position: Director of Science
International Species Information System’s mission is to facilitate international collaboration in the collection and sharing of knowledge on animals and their environments for zoos, aquariums and related conservation organizations to serve institutional, regional and global animal management and conservation goals.
We provide the world’s most current, comprehensive and reliable source of knowledge on intensively managed species and their environments for zoos, aquariums and related organizations to serve institutional, regional and global animal management (ex-situ, as well as in-situ) and conservation goals.
The Director of Science has a broad range of critical responsibilities and, as a member of the Leadership Team, reports directly to the International Species Information System CEO
This is an exciting opportunity to work as part of a global, skilled, and passionate team at the cutting edge of wildlife conservation technology.
Duties will include:
- Establish International Species Information System as the world’s most current, comprehensive and reliable source of knowledge on intensively managed species and their environments
- As an ambassador for International Species Information System, build on the organization’s role and value as a mission-driven international NGO
- Collaborate with international zoological associations, and key individual member scientific staff. Determine requirements for the design and development of products and services to meet their needs.
- Serve as International Species’ chief representative with conservation, science and regulatory agencies including IUCN, WAZA CPM, IUCN, CITES, DEFRA, USFWS, etc.
- Drive our solutions to be the critical scientific, fact-based research source to further understanding of animal, husbandry, health care, diet, contraception, breeding, and species population management issues – both ex situ and in situ
- Stay current on trends and opportunities in science and particularly conservation biology, and bring relevant ideas to the team in support of the conservation community
- Encourage, develop and share best-in-class research providing valuable insights to our global membership and the broader conservation community. This will require partnership building, cooperation, and data sharing going well beyond one’s own publication list
- Consistently publish scientific articles in partnership with others in our community and make regular presentations at relevant regional and international conferences
- Evaluate and support external requests for data for research projects
- Develop long-range science strategies, plan the science budget, and establish and maintain communication with key stakeholders – members, regulators, conservation groups, and other organizations. Understand and effectively address the mission-relevant information needs from these groups.
- Understand and communicate the broad implications of animal management, care and conservation information needs and effectively address them. Drive key capabilities into the software product and services roadmap, prioritizing based on current and future conservation strategies
- Advise the software development team regarding the unique data requirements of the conservation community. Help the team understand the data, data standards, data quality expectations and gaps, and the effective current and future use of data to support our mission and the mission of our members and partners
- Think very long term – envisioning what needs to be done now (such as what data needs to be collected) to meet scientifically anticipated needs in the future, perhaps years or decades away.
- Develop appropriate grant and sponsorship cultivation, solicitation, and requests. Develop funding strategies which result in funds awarded annually
- Support regional coordinators, support representatives, product managers and marketing through delivery and presentation of research to differentiate International Species for members and prospective members
- Provide thought leadership and data driven insights to support strategic growth decisions and business cases for new member products and services
- Evaluate emerging technology. Coordinate or champion partner relations
Qualifications
- An immense passion and sense of urgency for wildlife conservation
- PhD in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in one or more of: population biology, conservation biology, population genetics, demography, epidemiology
- Strong leadership skills including exceptional social, listening and negotiation skills
- A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and across cultures and nationalities
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, including proven ability in writing of reports and scientific papers, grant proposal preparation, and large group presentations
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and prioritize tasks as necessary
- Ability to relocate to the Minneapolis, MN area (for the right candidate, under certain circumstances, this requirement may be waived)
- Domestic and international travel (minimum 10-25% annually)
Desirable qualifications include
- International work and/or travel experience
- A working knowledge of a language other than English
- A demonstrated ability to publish original material in peer-reviewed literature
- Prior engagement with species conservation efforts and organizations
- Familiarity with zoos and aquariums
- Working knowledge of databases and data manipulation (e.g. SQL) and analysis tools (e.g. R).
Applications