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
Animal Wellbeing Project Manager
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (United States)
The Animal Wellbeing Project Manager supports projects related to animal wellbeing, ambassador animal programming, and implementation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals. This role works closely with animal care, education, and operations staff to support program coordination, staff training, process improvement, and ongoing wellbeing initiatives across the Como Campus.
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Here’s what you can expect to do:
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Coordinate animal wellbeing and ambassador animal projects.
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Support AZA wellbeing initiatives and best practices.
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Develop training materials, resources, and procedures.
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Collaborate with animal care, education, and operations teams.
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Track projects, logistics, communication, and implementation efforts.
Conservation Project Manager
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory (United States)
The Conservation Project Manager helps implement Como’s Conservation Strategy through projects focused on conservation, sustainability, climate action, and community engagement. This role works across departments and with external partners to coordinate initiatives, support collaboration, and help integrate conservation goals into everyday work throughout the organization.
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Here’s what you can expect to do:
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Coordinate conservation and sustainability projects.
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Support partnerships, engagement efforts, and AZA SAFE initiatives.
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Organize meetings, timelines, deliverables, and project updates.
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Develop communication and educational materials.
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Collaborate across departments to advance conservation goals.
Scientist, Quantitative Ecology
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (United States)
The Scientist conducts independent and collaborative conservation research in a specialized area of biological or social science, and/or develops and conducts disease diagnostics and risk assessments for application to wildlife health. This position reports to an Associate Director or Director level or higher in Conservation Science Wildlife Health.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
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Responsible for the development and oversight of research programs in a specialized field of study, i.e. genomics, ecology, epidemiology
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Publish papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, popular literature, and other relevant media outlets.
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Responsible for program-staff supervision, including supervision of non-employee team members and mentorship of doctoral and post-doctoral candidates.
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Responsible for preparation and submission of competitive grant proposals and working with Philanthropy team on securing external funding.
Research Operations & Safety Manager
The Maritime Aquarium (United States)
The Conservation department implements an ambitious annual roster of field research projects to meet the goals of our institutional Conservation Action Plan and in support more broadly of the Aquarium’s strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls. The Research Operations & Safety Manager is a critical support staff position, working across the project portfolio and playing a critical role in ensuring the success of the Research Staff during field activities. The position also oversees logistical elements of field work, management of field data, and training and supervision of seasonal fieldwork staff, including undergraduate research interns. In this capacity, this position is responsible for annual recruitment, training, mentoring, and oversight of these student interns, ensuring positive and educational field experiences while also achieving project goals. This position works closely with all research project leads to support their activities, including participating in field and lab work when needed.
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Deadline: June 5
Associate Lecturer/Lecturer
Taronga Zoo (Australia)
This position will develop, deliver and assess undergraduate coursework in conservation biology, ecology, biology and related disciplines, including as part of the Bachelor of Wildlife Conservation (Taronga) offered by the University of Sydney.
This is an education-focused role within the University Programs team, which delivers high-quality teaching and learning experience across multiple units of study as part of the degree.
Key Accountabilities…
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Development of unit curriculum in consultation with the University Program Manager and Taronga & University stakeholders, including the design of high value experiences that deliver quality learning outcomes for students across a range of units of study
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Delivery of undergraduate coursework including lectures, tutorials and practical sessions across a range of units of study at both Taronga Zoo and the University of Sydney
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Contribute to knowledge within your background discipline or area of expertise
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Assist in academic unit coordination to ensure the successful delivery of courses including the coordination of facilities requirements and educational resources at Taronga
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Supervise and mark undergraduate assessments and exams
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Teach into multiple units of study in various roles, including lecturing, tutoring and demonstrating
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Assist in training to academic casuals, under the guidance of the University Program Manager and Lecturer, to ensure consistent, high value practical sessions
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Collaborate with staff, researchers and academics from the University of Sydney and within Taronga Conservation Society Australia as required
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Work collaboratively with the University Programs team to deliver and support the cohort experience
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Assistance and delivery of tertiary workshops / internship programs and associated tasks
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Comply with Taronga’s Customer Service Charter and suggest initiatives for further improvement to ensure industry leading standards are maintained.
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Assist with WHS requirements including reporting of hazards / incidents, participating in site inspections and risk assessments in line with Taronga policies and procedures.
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Act as the designated First Aid Officer for the work area while on duty, when required
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Comply with and suggest sustainability practices in the workplace to help achieve Taronga’s sustainability targets and reduce environmental impact.
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Deadline: June 8
Aquatic Species and Policy Programme Manager
Zoological Society of London (United Kingdom)
ZSL is looking to hire a Programme Manager (maternity cover) to join our Aquatic Species and Policy team, which sits in the Conservation and Policy Department. The successful candidate will work across two projects:
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Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities) works towards a Vision that threatened sharks, skates and rays and diverse coastal communities benefit from an inclusive approach to marine conservation and research in Wales. Project SIARC is led by ZSL and Natural Resources Wales (NRW), and completed in partnership with Delivery Partners, Affiliates and Collaborators. Using money raised by National Lottery Players, the National Lottery Heritage Fund supports projects that connect people and communities with the UK’s heritage. Project SIARC is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Welsh Government’s Nature Networks Fund.
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The Angel Shark Project (ASP) is a multidisciplinary collaboration that collects ecological and population data whilst engaging with local communities, researchers, and governments to secure the future of Critically Endangered angel sharks throughout their range. The ASP works with partners and collaborators across seven regional projects.
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The Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN) is a community working to see that angel sharks restored to robust populations safeguarded across their natural range. ZSL is the ASCN Coordinator and manages the ASCN alongside the ASCN Partners.
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Deadline: May 25
Coexistence Scientist - Quantitative Ecology
Cincinnati Zoo (United States)
The Global Conservation Impact team at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is seeking a full-time Coexistence Scientist with expertise in quantitative ecology to advance our growing portfolio of interdisciplinary conservation work. This scientist will lead and support research on wildlife population dynamics, landscape connectivity, animal movement, and the evaluation of habitat restoration and coexistence interventions. The role bridges rigorous landscape-level ecological analysis with the real-world conservation challenges of our global partners, providing the quantitative backbone for evidence-based decision-making.
This position will support both local initiatives, such as evaluating the biodiversity benefits of habitat restoration in the greater Cincinnati region, and a global network of partners working on connectivity, corridors, and coexistence challenges. The scientist will also play a key role in mentoring participants in the Hoffman Coexistence Impact Fellowship program and collaborating across disciplines to integrate ecological and social data into cohesive, impact-oriented research. The Coexistence Scientist will bolster the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden’s ability to achieve our mission of conserving nature and serving community by fostering leadership, storytelling, and action among coexistence Fellows, Zoo staff, and external partners.
Successful candidates will demonstrate the following leadership attributes: You model the example for others to follow; you inspire others to work towards an exciting future and shared vision; you challenge yourself and others to look for innovative ways to improve the organization; you foster collaboration and trust and build spirited teams; and you recognize contributions and celebrate accomplishments.
Assistant Research Coordinator
Wildlife Conservation Society (United States)
The City Zoos Assistant Research Coordinator will assist the City Zoos Research Manager in building the capacity of the City Zoos to conduct applied research projects for the purpose of improving management and care of the zoos’ animal populations. They will support the planning, execution, and dissemination of research projects by working closely with the Research Manager, animal care teams, various other zoo staff departments, and academic partners. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, collaborative, and passionate about conducting responsible, ethical research that contributes to animal care, welfare, and conservation.
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.​
