Do you want to pursue a Zoo Career?
The zoo industry is full of exciting careers to pursue, such as animal and veterinary care, education, conservation, and research. If you are unsure what path is the right for you, have a look at the BIAZA Careers Guide and at AZA's list of types of zoo jobs.
Photo: Dallas Zoo
What to study?
Depending on the country, there are different education paths you can pursue if you are interested in working in a zoo. Biology, Zoology, Veterinary Science, Animal Behaviour & Welfare are all relevant subjects for a zoo job.
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However, some countries offer very specific courses on the subject. You might be interested in studying one of these if you want to have a zoo specific education.
Aspiring zoo scientist?
Job Vacancies
Zoo Research & Conservation
Intern - Conservation Management & Welfare Sciences (Paid)
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (United States)
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is seeking a Summer Intern to join our Conservation, Management, and Welfare Sciences team. This internship offers a valuable opportunity to gain experience in conservation, management, and animal wellbeing in the zoo and aquarium field by assisting with resource, development, internal data management, and grant processing. The internship is structured to provide hands-on learning through project-based assignments, training, and ongoing feedback.
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This internship is based in our Silver Spring, MD headquarters and is eligible for our hybrid or remote work schedule. Interns must be based in DC, MD, or VA for the duration of the internship. This internship will run 10-12 weeks in the summer, from June to August. The core internship cohort dates are June 8 – August 14. Start and end dates are flexible based on the intern’s summer calendar.
Post Doctoral Fellow in Ex/In Situ Conservation
Memphis Zoo (United States)
Memphis Zoo is seeking an independently motivated, ambitious, and highly energetic individual for a 3-year Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in the Department of Conservation and Research. Specifically, the Memphis Zoo is seeking a candidate with experience linking ex situ and in situ conservation who is able to lead a new Alligator Snapping Turtle conservation and research initiative. Memphis Zoo has a long history with Macrochelys, having displayed many large specimens through the decades, and Memphis Zoo researchers Dr. Steve Reichling and Dr. Sinlan (Sheila) Poo have initiated this new signature collaboration with Dr. Lori Neuman-Lee (Arkansas State University), in partnership with Wolf River Conservancy, USFWS, and TWRA.
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The purpose of the Postdoc is to broaden the Memphis Zoo’s progress towards its wildlife conservation priorities. The Fellow’s responsibility is to develop new research projects and nurture existing conservation-oriented partnerships focused on advancing the Zoo’s mission, with a specific focus on Alligator Snapping Turtles, a species native to the greater Memphis area and West Tennessee.
We seek a passionate conservation biologist with the skills, experience, and desire to advance one of these programs by combining ex situ and in situ research projects. This work will include a significant field component, including surveying and monitoring existing wild populations in the area, and a captive component, through increasing the ex situ conservation capacity at the Memphis Zoo. The successful candidate may approach the challenge from a wide range of perspectives including, but not limited to, ecology, physiology, evolution, animal behavior.​
Site Biodiversity Manager
Twycross Zoo (United Kingdom)
This is an exciting opportunity to join our conservation charity, as we are in a position to more than quadruple the size of our current 4ha Nature Reserve.
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Key Responsibilities:
· Manage the Biodiversity Action Plan for the Twycross Zoo Nature Reserve and zoo site, working with relevant experts.
· Plan and oversee habitat creation, e.g. woodland planting and wetland creation, to support achieving the ‘30x30’ target.
· Coordinate internal teams (e.g. Estates and Horticulture) and zoo volunteers to deliver habitat management on the Nature Reserve and across the zoo site.
· Coordinate habitat assessments, biodiversity surveys, and species monitoring efforts on the zoo estate. This includes coordinating Twycross Zoo staff volunteers as well as working with external partners and experts where necessary.
· Provide ecological advice to internal teams to ensure biodiversity considerations are integrated into operations and planning.
· Coordinate in situ species recovery projects based on the zoo estate to support ‘Reverse the Red’ targets (e.g. white-clawed crayfish).
· Work closely with Conservation Education teams to enhance the visitor experience through UK biodiversity events and training.
· Seek external funding to enable project implementation.
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Deadline: April 13
Wildlife Programs Administrator
Texas State Aquarium (United States)
Take your career to new depths and put your skills to work in a one-of-a-kind setting by becoming a part of the premiere aquarium showcasing the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The Texas State Aquarium provides high quality, entertaining programming through education, conservation, and wildlife rehabilitation. We strive to provide our guests with an exciting, educational, and memorable experience.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
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​Institutional Records and Data Management​
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Regulatory and Compliance Documentation Support​
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Research and Literature Review Support​
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Grant Development and Reporting Support​
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Writing, Editing, and Documentation Development​
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Program and Administrative Coordination​
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Institutional Standards and Professional Conduct​
IMLS Scholar in Felid Reproductive Science and Conservation)
Cincinnati Zoo (United States)
CREW is committed to training the next generation of scientists, with a primary focus on feline health, welfare, and reproductive physiology. The IMLS Scholar position seeks to provide immersive, hands-on experience in the field of zoo conservation science to an early career scientist. The successful candidate will work closely with, and be mentored by CREW scientists, including the Director of the Imperiled Cat Signature Project, Dr. Lindsey Vansandt. Responsibilities will include sample processing for and performance of hormone immunoassays, vaginal cytology slide staining and analysis, post-thaw semen analyses (including morphological analysis, immunostaining, and heterologous in vitro fertilization), data entry, and data analysis. Participation in assisted reproduction procedures (such as reproductive examinations, semen collection, gamete rescue, and artificial insemination) will be offered to foster professional growth and development. Additionally, candidates may have the opportunity to design, lead, and take ownership of an independent project, depending on their interests and skills.
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Deadline: May 1
Field Research Technician
The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk (United States)
The Conservation team works across Connecticut and New York on field ecology projects related to the health of Long Island Sound. Research projects include beach surveys for horseshoe crabs, salt marsh surveys and experiments, and boat-based marine debris retrieval. The Field Research Technician is a temporary position that assists field research activities across the department’s full project portfolio.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
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Conduct field research, data collection
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Assist with preparation and organization of field equipment
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Assist with laboratory processing of field samples
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Support Conservation staff on overall program implementation as needed
Watershed Conservation Assistant (Seasonal)
Tennessee Aquarium (United States)
The Watershed Conservation Assistant advances the mission of the Tennessee Aquarium by working with conservation scientists to protect and restore stream health. They assist with the implementation of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): Ridges to Rivers project, a project that provides southeast Tennessee’s farmers and landowners with financial and technical assistance to address resource concerns that impact aquatic animals and their habitats. This position also assists the Watershed Conservation Coordinator in creating a river protection ethic in our region to increase knowledge and awareness of life in southeastern rivers and streams by engaging citizen scientists, school groups, and community groups in experiential freshwater conservation science.
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Key Responsibilities
1. Effectively communicates with people of various backgrounds within the Ridges to Rivers RCPP Project Area regarding conservation practices that improve stream health for aquatic animals.
2. Assists with public outreach and community engagement to increase participation in freshwater habitat conservation and restoration.
3. Assists Research and Education Departments with River Teachers, a professional development workshop for local STEM educators.
4. Interfaces with conservation partners to maximize outreach and educational opportunities to farmers and landowners in the six-county RCPP area.
5. Assists Watershed Conservation Coordinator with expanding efforts for a water quality monitoring citizen science program.
6. Interact s with other Conservation Institute science staff to support ongoing research projects in the RCPP Project Area.
7. Occasionally assists with the development of online and print media.
Vice President of Education and Conservation
Zoo Knoxville (United States)
The Vice President of Education and Conservation provides strategic and visionary leadership for all education and conservation initiatives at Zoo Knoxville. This position leads a talented, multidisciplinary team of educators and conservation professionals to design, implement, and evaluate innovative programs and experiences that engage guests, strengthen community partnerships, and advance the Zoo’s mission.
The Vice President serves as a member of the Zoo’s senior leadership team and plays a key role in shaping the guest experience, driving programmatic growth, and positioning Zoo Knoxville as a leader in conservation education locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.
The Vice President of Education and Conservation will be an active ambassador for Zoo Knoxville, building relationships with community leaders, schools, conservation organizations, and supporters. This position requires a dynamic leader who can inspire teams, engage audiences, and promote Zoo Knoxville’s mission with passion and purpose.
