Science Fellow: Aquatic Behavior (Project Hire)

Job Description:

Join us as part of a dynamic team where our mission is to Lead Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to Care for animals and the environment, Connect people to nature and Conserve our natural resources. Be a part of a transformative team and culture by working on projects optimizing animal care, health and welfare along with guest experience and messaging.  

As the Aquatic Behavior Science fellow, you will co-lead and project manage scientific studies focused on understanding animal behavior, sensory systems and cognition in the context of applied animal care and welfare, as you collaborate with stakeholders within the Science Operations team to contribute to science-based animal care.

This is a one-year project hire based at Disney’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends®, and you will report to the Science Operations Manager.

You Will/Responsibilities:

• Co-lead and project manage scientific studies focused on understanding animal behavior, sensory systems and cognition in the context of applied animal care and welfare. Project management duties include methodological design and implementation, data management and analysis, and data interpretation. Project assignments may include:
  • Develop and/or apply novel methods and tools to map aquatic sensory environments including habitat space/structure, light, sound and other sensory information in the context of aquatic animal sensory systems including visual, auditory, chemosensory, and electrosensory perception with the aim of tangible implications for care of understudied species in a complex environment.
  • Advance, study, test and implement innovative technologies such as automated video, photo and sound monitoring in aquarium environments to assess aquatic animal welfare with implications for species within managed care and wild counterparts.
  • Co-project management of ongoing, long-term operational projects. Project management duties include methodological design and implementation, data management and analysis, and data interpretation.
• Contribute to the development of science focused interactive, interpretive experiences for Disney guests.
• Communicate project findings in stakeholder/team meetings and scientific/popular publications.
• Project assignments may include:
  • Monitoring and analyzing aquarium coded wire tag datasets related to aspects of species lifespan and collection management to examine historical trends and participate in goal setting around these topics for commonly cared for aquarium fish species.
  • Monitoring the activity budget, social interactions and space use patterns for multi-species systems of small elasmobranchs and teleosts.
  • Developing and evaluating new methods to monitor and support real-time reporting on individuals and focal groups in the complex multi-species main environment.

Basic Qualifications:

• Hands on experience in studying the behavior of animals in an AZA zoo/aquarium, research center, laboratory or equivalent, OR in the field.
• Demonstrated experience in scientific project management including:
  • Methodological Design and Implementation: interobserver reliability, data collection technology oversight, scheduling, etc.
  • Data Management and Analysis: database creation and administration, data exploration and modeling, and data visualization. Demonstrated experience with statistical software (R preferred) for all components of data analysis.
  • Data Interpretation: generating technical reports for internal and external partners.
• Attention to detail and excellent organization abilities.
• Demonstrate ability to initiate, coordinate, and prioritize responsibilities and follow through on tasks and projects.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including demonstrated ability to interact and interpret science-related information with varied audiences.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented atmosphere and have strong interpersonal skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of and interest in a broad array of taxa including marine mammals, elasmobranchs, teleost and invertebrate species.
• History of publication in peer-reviewed journals and/or demonstration of technical and report writing for varied audiences.
• Teaching or lecturing experience at the university level.
• Demonstration of multi-disciplinary research in fields such as ecology, animal behavior and welfare with experience conducting research in both ex-situ and in-situ settings.
• Knowledge of and Proficiency in analytical techniques such as machine learning, data analytics, or data visualization.

Required Education:

• M.S. or Doctoral degree in biology, marine biology, conservation, computational biology or statistics with experience in animal behavior or other related discipline.

Additional Information:

Benefits and Perks: Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits