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.
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.
Job Vacancies
Zoo Research & Conservation
Scholar - Polar Bear Research (CREW)
Cincinnati Zoo (United States)
Through funding from the Ellen and Richard Berghamer Foundation, the Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has an immediate opening for a Scholar to join the Polar Bear Signature Project. This 12-month, full-time, trainee position offers a unique opportunity for recent graduates to gain applied research experience in wildlife conservation, endocrinology, veterinary medicine, and data analysis. Scholars will earn an annual stipend of $32,000, paid in bi-weekly intervals, and benefits will be provided.
Position summary: The aim of the Scholar position is to provide promising early-career scientists unique opportunities and experiences to prepare them for careers in conservation science and/or wildlife studies. The overarching aim of the project is to increase our understanding of the reproductive physiology and health of ursids, with the objective of informing the conservation and management of wild populations of bears. The successful candidate will work alongside, be mentored by, and support CREW scientists dedicated to studying threatened and endangered animal species, with a focus on polar bears. Please note that this position is laboratory-based and does not involve direct interactions with animals.
Clinical Laboratory Assistant (Seasonal Part Time)
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (United States)
The Clinical Laboratory Assistant performs a variety of duties to assist laboratory operations. This position reports to the Laboratory Manager or Associate Director of Clinical Laboratory Services.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
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Receive, log, prepare, and may analyze wildlife blood, feces, urine and fluid samples.
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Maintain inventory of laboratory supplies, including restocking supplies.
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Prepare and ship blood, feces, urine and fluid samples to outside laboratories or researchers.
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Maintain paper and electronic filing systems including receiving send out results.
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Assist the Laboratory Technician with laboratory duties as needed.
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Coordinate Laboratory Activities as needed.
Species Survival Officer/Conservation Officer
Alpen Zoo Innsbruck (Austria)
Alpenzoo is looking to hire a Species Survival Officer reporting directly to the Zoo Director. The post holder will be the informal liaison between the Zoo and the Office of the Chair of the IUCN SSC to assist with training, network building and work plan preparation.
Responsibilities:
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Conduct species specific background research
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Research and write assessments for priority species
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Review assessments. prior to publication
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Strive to align national and international assessment processes for the Red List and the inclusion of priority species
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Organise. and moderate expert workshops and conferences
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Write proposals, reports and scientific papers
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Work with interest groups and partners and maintain contact with them
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Participate as a Species Survival Officer in training and education through IUCN SSC, IUCN Red List, CPSG and others
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Play a key role in promoting the partnership between Alpenzoo and the IUCN SSC as well as the IUCN Red List
Field Research Technician (Part time & Temporary)
The Maritime Aquarium (United States)
We are seeking a part-time Field Research Technician to join the Department of Conservation and Policy. The Department of Conservation and Policy team conducts applied scientific research on the species and habitats of Long Island Sound and supports the development of policy that will improve the health and resiliency of marine and coastal systems. This position will support the Lobster Trap Recovery and Assessment Partnership, a collaborative effort that utilizes grappling gear to retrieve, study, and appropriately dispose of lost or abandoned lobster traps from the bottom of Long Island Sound.
Plant Conservation Researcher II
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance (United States)
The Researcher II develops programs for scientific research; conducts independent and collaborative research in a specialized area of biological science; and supervises assigned research/laboratory operations. This position reports to Scientist level or higher in the Conservation Science & Wildlife Health department.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
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Develop scientific research programs in a specialized field of study.
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Plan, design, organize, supervise, and conduct independent and collaborative projects.
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Determine study subjects, research parameters and methodology, and cost requirements.
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Evaluate funding sources and obtains necessary funding.
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Oversee and conduct data collection, analysis, and interpretation of results applied to conservation programs.
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Coordinate with animal care and veterinary staff regarding sample collection, disease trends, and reproductive status; provides samples to collaborative researchers.
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Establish research partnerships.
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Oversee assigned area(s) and supervises assigned staff.
Conservation Policy Manager
New England Aquarium (United States)
The Manager of Conservation Policy is an integral member of NEAq's Conservation Policy team. Under the supervision of the Associate Vice President of Conservation Policy, the role supports ongoing efforts to advance NEAq's federal and state legislative, political, and grassroots/grasstops advocacy strategy.
This is a full-time regular position offering a comprehensive benefits package. The schedule will be Monday-Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with the option for a hybrid schedule, working some days on-site and some days remotely. Remote days are only available for residents of MA, RI, NH, ME, NY and VT. The position will require occasional work on nights and weekends.
Research Assistant (Part-time)
Indianapolis Zoo (United States)
The Indianapolis Zoo is seeking a part-time Research Assistant to assist the Director of Research in the department's research efforts with primates including Chimpanzees and Orangutans among other primate species. Primary responsibilities will include participating in observational studies of primates at the Zoo, conducting scientific literature reviews, and assisting the Director of Research in coordinating the activities of the Research Department's volunteer programs.
Ideal candidates are committed to advancing the Zoo's mission to protect nature and inspire people to care for our world. Must have a high school diploma or equivalent and currently pursuing a four (4) bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a related field of study. The successful individual must have a personality suitable to working with and establishing a relationship with great apes. Some prior experience working with exotic and zoo animals is preferrable. This part-time position will work on average 16-20 hours per week. This role will require some weekends and evenings. Pay rate for this exciting position is $15.00/ hr.
Postdoctoral Researcher - Center for Zoonomics
Zoo New England (United States)
We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with experience in genomics and bioinformatics to help move forward innovative research exploring diseases of zoo and wildlife species, with emphasis on heart disease in captive meerkats and gorillas. The candidate will have the unique opportunity to work with genomic data from over one hundred gorillas to investigate deleterious genetic variation and its impact on the health of this endangered species. The candidate will also have opportunities to design results for population managers.
The qualified candidate will have a PhD in statistical, population genetics, or conservation genomics (or equivalent) and proficiency in genomic data analysis and interpretation of genetic variation. Experience with R, a Unix computing environment, and knowledge of at least one scripting language is strongly desired. Familiarity with next-generation DNA sequencing data and human or animal heritable disease or pathogens will be beneficial. A range of tasks may include bioinformatic analysis to identify genetic markers associated with heritable disease in managed captive or wild populations of various taxa, evaluation of deleterious variation, and analyses of heritability of heart disease.
Assistant Professor of Zoo and Conservation Science
Drake University (United States)
The Environmental Science and Sustainability Department at Drake University seeks applicants for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Zoo & Conservation Science. Candidates with backgrounds in animal behavior, behavioral husbandry and training, endangered species conservation, vertebrate zoology, primatology, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will have experience doing research and / or coordinating student intern projects in an AZA-accredited zoo environment, as well as possess a PhD or be ABD in a related field. The search committee is particularly interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.
Candidates will teach a 3/3 course load, including courses in animal behavior, ethological methods, endangered species conservation, and zoology courses in their field of expertise. Successful candidates will have experience conducting collaborative research and supervising student internships with a variety of captive species, particularly endangered species. Candidates who can engage undergraduate students in meaningful roles in ongoing research are especially welcome.
Research Technician in Amphibian Conservation (Field/Lab)
Memphis Zoo (United States)
The Memphis Zoo is seeking a highly motivated, ambitious, and highly energetic individual for a 1-year Field and Lab Research Technician in the Department of Conservation and Research. Specifically, the Memphis Zoo is seeking a candidate with experience in amphibian ecology, field biology, and conservation.
The purpose of this Research Technician is to assist in Memphis Zoo’s efforts towards amphibian conservation. Working with the Amphibian Conservation Postdoc, the Research Technician will largely focus on the dusky gopher frog recovery program, which is one of Memphis Zoo’s top-tier wildlife conservation priorities, with opportunities to be involved in a wide range of research projects in the Amphibian Lab. We seek candidates who are passionate about amphibian conservation and eager to apply their skills to contribute to both in situ and ex situ conservation and research.
Wildlife Conservation Field Technician
Audubon Nature Institute (United States)
Audubon Nature Institute is seeking a Wildlife Conservation Field Technician to assist with field conservation programs. The primary goals of this position are to support work with population recovery of federally-listed Dusky Gopher Frogs (Lithobates sevosus), and to understand conservation impacts of the emerging infectious disease known as Amphibian Perkinsea, which can cause mortality in gopher frog tadpoles and lead to mass mortality events. Under the direction of the Director of Terrestrial and Wetlands Conservation, the Wildlife Conservation Field Technician will assist Audubon Zoo and a team of collaborators in conducting field surveys for Dusky Gopher Frog tadpoles and co-occuring tadpole species across southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi. This is a seasonal, full time position that runs November 1, 2024-June 31, 2025.
The Wildlife Conservation Field Technician will be responsible for conducting tadpole and pathogen surveys in southeastern Louisiana and southern Mississippi, across the historic range of the Dusky Gopher Frog. Specific tasks will include eDNA sampling for amphibian pathogens, tadpole swabbing for amphibian pathogens, visual encounter surveys for tadpoles, and time constrained surveys for tadpoles. Depending on project progress, the Wildlife Conservation Field Technician may assist with other field conservation programs of the Audubon Nature Institute.