Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Coordinator

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Coordinator is a mid-level conservation and science role responsible for designing, implementing, and managing research and monitoring programs within a zoological setting. The coordinator ensures high standards of animal welfare and scientific rigor while facilitating partnerships with academic institutions, regulatory agencies, and conservation organizations. This role combines field and enclosure-based data collection, project management, permit compliance, statistical analysis, staff training, grant support, and public-facing communication to advance institutional research objectives and conservation outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Animal Care Technician / Zookeeper with field research exposure
Field Research Assistant or Field Technician in wildlife projects
Research Assistant in academic or NGO settings focused on behavior, ecology, or conservation

Advancement To:

Senior Research Coordinator / Research Manager
Conservation Scientist or Program Manager
Curator of Research or Head of Conservation Science
Academic appointments (Adjunct Researcher / Lecturer)

Lateral Moves:

Animal Behaviorist / Ethologist
Population Biologist / Wildlife Ecologist
Permit & Compliance Specialist for wildlife projects

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, coordinate, and manage zoo-based research projects from concept through publication: develop research questions, experimental design, timelines, budgets, and measurable objectives that align with institutional conservation priorities.
Lead systematic behavioral observations and ethograms for multiple taxa, ensuring rigorous sampling protocols, inter-observer reliability, and accurate time-budget analyses to inform welfare and enrichment programs.
Collect, process, and manage biological samples (e.g., fecal, blood, hair, tissue) and associated metadata according to chain-of-custody, biosafety, and institutional animal care and use guidelines.
Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot remote monitoring equipment (camera traps, accelerometers, GPS/telemetry collars, acoustic recorders) and integrate longitudinal sensor data into centralized databases for analysis and reporting.
Implement and maintain species-specific welfare and enrichment research studies, testing the efficacy of enrichment devices, feeding strategies, and husbandry interventions with quantifiable welfare metrics.
Conduct population monitoring and health surveillance protocols for in-house and field populations, coordinating veterinary sampling, quarantine procedures, and disease screening in collaboration with clinical staff.
Analyze quantitative and qualitative datasets using statistical software (R, Python, SPSS) to produce trends, models, and visualizations that drive management decisions and scientific output.
Write and support grant proposals, donor communications, and funding reports; prepare budgets and justifications; track deliverables and expenditures for externally funded research projects.
Prepare, submit, and maintain research permits and institutional approvals (IACUC, CITES, wildlife permits) and ensure all field and laboratory activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations.
Supervise, mentor, and train interns, volunteers, and junior staff in standardized data collection, animal handling protocols, ethical field practices, and safety procedures to build capacity and ensure data quality.
Draft and submit manuscripts, technical reports, and conference abstracts; lead peer-review processes and coordinate author teams to disseminate findings in scientific and professional venues.
Coordinate collaborative research partnerships with universities, NGOs, government agencies, and other zoos; manage memorandum of understanding (MOUs), material transfer agreements (MTAs), and data-sharing arrangements.
Oversee sample and data management systems, including database structure, metadata standards, data backup, version control, and long-term archival to ensure reproducibility and transparency.
Develop and execute training workshops and continuing-education sessions for husbandry staff on new protocols, research outcomes, and welfare-informed husbandry adaptations derived from studies.
Lead behavioral and ecological pilot studies to evaluate feasibility, sample sizes, and methodology, and adapt protocols iteratively based on preliminary results and animal welfare considerations.
Coordinate logistics for field research components, including travel planning, risk assessments, field safety briefings, equipment procurement, and local stakeholder engagement.
Monitor project performance through measurable KPIs (sample collection rates, data completeness, publications, grant deliverables) and provide regular progress reports to leadership and stakeholders.
Implement biosecurity, quarantine, and health-monitoring protocols for introduced or translocated individuals and coordinate with veterinary and husbandry teams during interventions.
Develop protocols for non-invasive genetic and hormonal sampling (e.g., fecal steroid assays), oversee sample storage and cold-chain logistics, and liaise with labs for laboratory analysis.
Maintain up-to-date literature reviews and synthesize relevant studies to inform institutional research priorities, evidence-based husbandry changes, and conservation actions.
Lead community outreach and education related to research projects, translating scientific findings into accessible formats for guests, donors, and local communities to raise awareness and generate support.
Manage inventory and purchasing for research projects, including consumables, specialized equipment, and software licenses; maintain cost-efficiency and compliance with procurement policies.

Secondary Functions

Support institutional strategic planning by contributing research insights, data summaries, and recommendations for long-term conservation priorities.
Assist with ad-hoc data requests for accreditation, board reporting, and grant audits; prepare clear, well-documented datasets and methods summaries.
Create outreach content (exhibit signage, blog posts, social media summaries) that accurately communicates research aims and conservation outcomes to diverse audiences.
Participate in cross-departmental working groups (education, veterinary, animal care, marketing) to integrate research outputs into broader institutional programming.
Provide subject-matter expertise during media interviews, special events, and donor briefings; prepare talking points and visual assets to support public engagement.
Contribute to data management planning, including metadata standards, FAIR data practices, and open data initiatives where appropriate.
Assist with volunteer programs and internship coordination, including recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, and performance feedback.
Support the development and maintenance of field safety and emergency response plans for research personnel and collaborators.
Participate in institutional accreditation and external review processes by compiling research documentation and demonstrating compliance with best practices.
Engage in continuous professional development by attending conferences, workshops, and training related to zoological research, conservation, and welfare science.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Animal handling and restraint techniques appropriate to multiple taxa, with formal training or certification in safe, humane protocols.
Behavioral observation methodologies (focal sampling, scan sampling, ad libitum records) and experience creating and validating ethograms.
Proficiency in statistical analysis and data visualization using R (tidyverse, lme4), Python (pandas, seaborn), or equivalent statistical packages to model behavioral and ecological data.
Experience with GIS and spatial analysis tools (ArcGIS, QGIS) for habitat mapping, range estimation, and spatially explicit study design.
Expertise with wildlife telemetry and biologging technologies (GPS collars, VHF telemetry, accelerometers, camera trap networks) and associated data pipelines.
Sample collection and laboratory techniques for non-invasive endocrinology, genetics, microbiome, or disease surveillance; understanding of cold-chain and sample storage best practices.
Regulatory compliance and permit management (IACUC, CITES, state wildlife permits); experience drafting permit applications and institutional protocols.
Research project management and budgeting tools (MS Project, Asana, Trello, or equivalent) and experience tracking deliverables and timelines.
Database management and data curation skills (SQL, relational databases, Excel best practices) and familiarity with data standards and metadata documentation.
Grant writing and scientific communication: successful experience drafting proposals, progress reports, and manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
Familiarity with animal welfare assessment frameworks and enrichment evaluation methodologies.
Basic veterinary knowledge relevant to sampling, quarantine, and disease-sign recognition to coordinate with clinical staff.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication tailored to scientific colleagues, leadership, donors, and the public.
Excellent project management and organizational skills; ability to prioritize multiple concurrent projects and meet deadlines.
Leadership and team-building: ability to train, supervise, and motivate cross-functional teams, interns, and volunteers.
Critical thinking and problem-solving with the capacity to design robust studies and adapt protocols when constraints arise.
High attention to detail for data quality assurance, protocol compliance, and accurate reporting.
Collaborative mindset and diplomatic stakeholder management when working with external partners and internal departments.
Ethical decision-making grounded in animal welfare, conservation principles, and scientific integrity.
Flexibility and resilience in dynamic field and institutional settings, including travel and irregular hours when required.
Public-facing skills for outreach, visitor engagement, and media interactions.
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively with diverse local communities and international partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Science, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Technology, or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree or higher (MSc, MRes, PhD) in Animal Behavior, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, or related discipline with demonstrated research experience.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology / Animal Science
Ecology / Wildlife Biology
Animal Behavior / Ethology
Conservation Biology
Veterinary Technology / Animal Health
Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2–7 years of progressively responsible research or zoo-based experience; minimum of 2 years in a position involving independent data collection and project coordination.

Preferred:

3–5+ years of zoo-based or wildlife research experience with demonstrated leadership of projects, publications, or successful grant applications.
Prior experience supervising staff/volunteers and coordinating multi-stakeholder collaborations.
Documented record of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or presentations at scientific meetings is highly desirable.