Data Entry Assistant - Living Planet Index

Join the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) as a Research Assistant, where you will play an integral role in supporting the Living Planet Index (LPI), a globally recognised biodiversity indicator. In this role, you'll immerse yourself in the world of biodiversity data, helping to collect, process, and input vital information into the Living Planet Database. Your primary focus will be on closing key gaps in taxonomic and geographic data, strengthening the database’s impact on global conservation efforts.

As part of an innovative and collaborative team, you’ll also contribute to the creation of insightful reports, academic publications, and engaging content that will help share the project's findings with the public. From writing captivating articles for our website and newsletter to providing vital support in communicating research outcomes, this role offers you the chance to make a real impact in the field of biodiversity conservation.

This position is offered as a 6-month fixed-term contract, working 35 hours per week.

Key responsibilities

• Data Collection and Population: Collect abundance data for the Living Planet Database by conducting literature searches and engaging with external collaborators. You'll play a vital role in enriching the database with new data by carefully extracting relevant information from a variety of data sources.
• Database Management and Improvement: Assist in enhancing the quality of the Living Planet Database by coding metadata and ensuring consistency throughout. You'll work to improve the database’s structure, making sure the data remains accurate and accessible for future research.
• Data Processing and Visualisation: Help process data from the Living Planet Database to create compelling figures, graphs, and maps that will be used in reports and visual content for the website. Your work will help communicate key insights in an accessible and impactful way.
• Content Development and Promotion: Support in creating engaging content to showcase the project's outputs, whether it’s for the website, newsletter, or other public-facing platforms. Your creativity and communication skills will help promote the project's results to a wider audience.
• Responding to Queries: Assist with responding to queries and emails related to the Living Planet Database, providing helpful and clear information to both internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Data Vetting: As you gain experience, you will assist in vetting newly entered data to ensure its accuracy and integrity, contributing to the ongoing reliability of the Living Planet Database. 

We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds and celebrate the value of having a team of employees with diverse skills, experiences, and heritage. We are committed to ensuring our teams can bring their authentic selves to work without fear of discrimination. ZSL has active equality networks for our staff with lived experience and those who provide active allyship in Race and Culture, Team Pride, Disability Network, and Menopause Network, complemented by our strategic EDI Steering Group.

We’re ZSL, an international conservation charity. Through our unrivalled animal experts in our two zoos (London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo), the work of our pioneering scientists, our dedicated conservationists, our purpose is to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wild animals going extinct. Our vision is a world where wildlife thrives and we’re working every day to achieve this. From investigating the health threats facing animals, to helping people and wildlife live alongside each other, we are committed to bringing wildlife back from the brink of extinction.  

What do we offer?  

At ZSL, we are proud of our approach to employee benefits. Our benefits include:  

• Our vision and purpose - you’ll work alongside colleagues who are passionate about science-led conservation, knowing that you will help us to inspire, inform and empower people to stop wildlife going extinct  
• Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) - The contributions for the USS scheme are 8% employee contribution and 18% employer contribution. 
• Flexible working – talk to us about your flexible working requirements and we will do everything we can to make sure you work in a way that suits you  
• Holidays – 25 days annual leave allowance, plus UK bank holidays  
• Wellbeing – access to a blended programme of wellbeing initiatives, including confidential access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme  
• Life assurance – eligible employees will be enrolled in ZSL’s life assurance scheme from their first day 
• Complimentary tickets – annual allocation of Whipsnade Zoo and London Zoo tickets, with a 30% discount in online and retail shops  
• Cycle2Work - our cycle to work scheme enables you to lease a bicycle  
• Season ticket loan - we offer an interest free loan for eligibly London-based employees to buy a season ticket for travel between home and work  
• Family friendly policies – we offer enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption packages