Samantha Rowland
Brandon
Summary
Driven individual with keen interest in ecology and environmental conservation. Possesses strong analytical skills and ability to communicate complex information clearly in both verbal and written formats. Excellent organisational skills with a proven ability to manage time effectively under pressure. A collaborative team player who is also self-motivated to work independently. Committed to making a meaningful impact to an assistant ecologist role.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
12
12
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Customer Assistant (Clothing)
Sainsburys
07.2018 - 07.2025
- Organising and unpacking delivery ready for stock replenishment.
- Assisting customers on the shop floor.
- Managing warehouse stock.
- Assisting other departments when help is required.
Animal Technician
Cambridge University
04.2017 - 07.2018
- Monitoring the health of research animals to ensure the highest standards of welfare in accordance to home office regulations. This includes animals that have undergone surgery.
- Dissection of animals to determine cause of death and or collect tissue samples for researchers.
- Reporting and resolving any health or behavioural issues observed.
- Liaising with researchers and academic staff to ensure all clients requirements are met.
- Day to day husbandry of animals including feeding, cleaning and weaning.
- Keeping accurate logs of all procedures and activities involving the animals.
- Entering records on to relevant computer systems.
- Central Biomedical Services
Online groceries shopper
Sainsburys
05.2015 - 04.2017
- Picking customers shopping under strict time limits.
- Overtime night shifts replenishing stock and presenting products to a high standard.
Lead Cook / waitress
Suffolk Carver
12.2008 - 05.2015
- Maintaining high standards of food hygiene to comply with EHA, (Environmental Health Agency).
- Working as part of a team to provide high standards of customer care whilst under strict time restraints.
- Preparing and cooking hot and cold meals, this involves delegating tasks to other members of the team.
- Checking stock and making accurate decisions when ordering new stock to allow the business to run smoothly.
- Resolving customer complaints whilst upholding exemplary customer service.
- Sharing my skills and knowledge with new staff to assist in their training.
- Managerial role in manager’s absence including opening up, cashing up at the end of the day and closing the shop.
Education
PGCE - Secondary Biology
01.2025 - 01.2025
MSc. - Animal Behaviour: Applications for Conservation
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge 01.2018 - 01.2021
B.Sc. (Hons.) - Zoology
Anglia Ruskin University
Cambridge 01.2012 - 01.2016
I.B certificates - History, Biology, Russian
Impington international sixth form college
Cambridgeshire 01.2006 - 01.2008
GCSEs - Science, Maths, English, English Lit., History, Food Tech, Art Textiles, French, R.E, GNVQ IT
Mildenhall College of Technology
Suffolk 01.2003 - 01.2006
Skills
- Communication: Confident in oral and written presentations
- Biology: Proficient in Measuring behaviour, Phase 1 habitat survey, PCR, DNA extraction
- IT: Confident with SPSS, R, GIS, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- Commercial: Customer liaison, team management, cash handling
- Organisation: Strong time management skills and ability to meet deadlines under heavy workloads
- Teamwork: Can work effectively as part of a team as well as being highly self motivated to work independently
Volunteer Experience
- Banham Zoo, Volunteer work, 2014-11, 2015-09, Working with the keepers as part of the animal management team including cleaning of enclosures, dietary preparation, preparing enrichment opportunities and assisting with public animal feeds., Communicating with the public about animal behaviour and conservation.
- Vice president of Equestrian Society, 2014-10, 2015-10, Working with the committee to set up the society., Recruiting society members., Organising riding lessons, meetings and social events.
Affiliations
- Running
- wildlife recording
- Hiking
- Bird watching
Timeline
PGCE - Secondary Biology
01.2025 - 01.2025
Customer Assistant (Clothing)
Sainsburys
07.2018 - 07.2025
MSc. - Animal Behaviour: Applications for Conservation
Anglia Ruskin University
01.2018 - 01.2021
Animal Technician
Cambridge University
04.2017 - 07.2018
Online groceries shopper
Sainsburys
05.2015 - 04.2017
B.Sc. (Hons.) - Zoology
Anglia Ruskin University
01.2012 - 01.2016
Lead Cook / waitress
Suffolk Carver
12.2008 - 05.2015
I.B certificates - History, Biology, Russian
Impington international sixth form college
01.2006 - 01.2008
GCSEs - Science, Maths, English, English Lit., History, Food Tech, Art Textiles, French, R.E, GNVQ IT
Mildenhall College of Technology
01.2003 - 01.2006