Job opportunities

BIAZA Reptile & Amphibian Working Group (RAWG) Research Liaison

CONTEXT:

This is an unpaid role for which you must have institutional support and your collection must be a BIAZA member. The role is within the Reptile & Amphibian working group and the Research Liaison Sub-Group, which are parts of The British & Irish Association of Zoos & Aquaria (BIAZA). As a Research Liaison you will report to the Chair and Vice-chair of RAWG, and to the Chair and Vice-chair of the Research Committee.

Purpose of Role:

• To act as an ambassador to promote the essential role of research in zoos and aquariums.
• To ensure regular communication between the Reptile & Amphibian working group and the Research Committee to increase information flow, collaboration and mutual support.
• To share current research with the Reptile & Amphibian working group and facilitate its inclusion in evidence-based best practice guidance (e.g. through delivering talks and workshops at events, sharing new research on social media/newsletters, via the Research Facebook Page and Ratel articles, contributing to or checking relevant care sheets, policies etc.).
• To support and represent the Reptile & Amphibian working group in determining relevant research priorities.
• To work with the Research Committee to help identify research professionals who can collaborate on these research priorities.
• To promote and facilitate keeper led research (e.g. through delivering workshops and talks at relevant conferences or events, being a point of contact for research enquiries, connecting interested parties to potential research mentors).
• To support the achievement of the wider strategic aims of the Reptile & Amphibian working group, the Research Committee & the Animal Welfare Working Group wherever possible

Requirements of role:

• You must have a clear interest in and relevant experience of zoo and aquarium herpetological research, but you do not need to be employed directly in a research role.
• You must aim to be an active part the Reptile & Amphibian working group, contributing to their objectives and should attend RAWG meetings wherever possible.
• You will ideally attend the RAWG Conference and should support RAWG to have time on the agenda allocated to relevant research activities (e.g. RC/research updates, training workshops, sharing latest research outcomes and their practical implications).
• You will be part of the Research Liaison Sub-Group, under the Research Committee.  This group will have a mailing list for information sharing and will have a short annual online strategic planning meeting, organised by the BIAZA Office.  Research Liasons can also observe Research Committee meetings and raise items for discussion at these meetings if they want to.
• Contribute to the review of relevant research support applications as necessary.
• Provide updates on research activities related to the group to the BIAZA Office in advance of Research Committee meetings (twice yearly).
• Actively seek out and share the latest published research relevant to their group, promoting it through social media, a newsletter or another means.
• You will assist in the management of the RAWG Facebook page.

This is a 3-year role, and is subject to renewal at the agreement of both the RAWG steering group committee and RC