Job Description
Job Description
Employment Type: Full-time (40 hours/week), 1-year term with potential for extension
The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our forward-thinking Scientific Research team. This is a rare opportunity to conduct cognitive studies with up to 21 chimpanzees and 12 orangutans in a zoo setting, using voluntary, non-invasive, enrichment-based methods that benefit both animals and our visitors.
The Indianapolis Zoo features state-of-the-art facilities for enriching cognitive studies with great apes. This includes a dedicated Learning Studio with touchscreen equipment visited daily by multiple apes at the Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center, and the newly built Harlan-Shriver Families Chimpanzee Cognition Center, which features multiple touchscreen stations, enabling groups of chimpanzees to simultaneously engage in computerized tasks.
As a Postdoctoral Research Associate, you'll help to design, manage, and conduct studies on great ape cognition, collaborate with a passionate team of zookeepers and veterinarians, contribute to public education, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals. Your work will play a vital role in expanding scientific knowledge while advancing The Indianapolis Zoo's mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world.
What You'll Do:
· Conduct behavioral studies with a focus on daily touchscreen tasks that examine memory, decision-making, and social learning in great apes.
· Collect, analyze, and manage behavioral and cognitive data.
· Publish research findings and present at scientific conferences.
· Collaborate with animal care teams to ensure ethical research and enrichment alignment.
· Support educational outreach and conservation messaging.
· Assist with grant proposals and departmental projects as assigned.
What We're Looking For:
· A PhD in psychology, anthropology, biology, zoology, or a related field (must be completed by start date).
· Experience conducting behavioral or cognitive research-preferably with primates.
· Proficiency in statistical tools such as R or SPSS.
· Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills.
· Strong collaboration skills and a commitment to animal welfare.
· Familiarity with non-invasive research and ethical standards (e.g., IACUC).
· Experience in grant writing is a plus.
Working Conditions:
· Full-time, 40 hours per week.
· Must be able to work in a zoo environment and follow safety protocols including those related to biohazard exposure.
Why Join Us?
At the Indianapolis Zoo, you'll be part of a team dedicated to scientific excellence and real-world impact. Our research not only enhances animal welfare but also fuels public understanding and global conservation efforts.
Job Posted by ApplicantPro