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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Director

💰 $ - $

Wildlife ResearchZoologyConservationResearch Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Director leads and manages the institution’s scientific research portfolio, setting research priorities, mentoring scientists and curators, ensuring high standards of animal welfare and ethics, securing and managing research funding, and translating evidence into conservation programs, husbandry improvements, publications and public science education. This role is both strategic and operational: you will design and evaluate multidisciplinary research projects (ex‑situ and in‑situ), oversee data governance and sample stewardship, build external partnerships with universities and conservation organizations, ensure compliance with permits and institutional animal care and use committees (IACUC), and communicate results to stakeholders, funders and the public.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Research Scientist or Principal Investigator (zoology, ecology, animal behavior)
  • Senior Curator / Head Curator with research responsibilities
  • Conservation Program Manager / Field Conservation Scientist

Advancement To:

  • Director of Science & Conservation
  • Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) for a zoo network or conservation NGO
  • Executive Director of a conservation or zoological organization

Lateral Moves:

  • University Professor / Research Chair in related life sciences
  • Director of Conservation Programs or Field Programs Director
  • Head of Animal Care or Veterinary Research Director

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Define, implement and continuously refine the zoo’s long‑term research strategy and scientific priorities to align with institutional mission, AZA/EFGS/ regional accreditation standards, and global conservation needs.
  • Lead the design, oversight and execution of multidisciplinary research programs in animal behavior, population biology, reproductive physiology, genetics, nutrition, disease ecology and conservation translocations.
  • Secure, write and manage externally funded grants and contracts (federal, foundation, corporate and philanthropic), including budget development, compliance and reporting to funders.
  • Supervise, mentor and evaluate a team of research scientists, postdoctoral researchers, research technicians, graduate students and interns; recruit and build capacity across the research group.
  • Develop and manage the research budget, resource allocation, capital requests for laboratory and field equipment, and long‑term financial planning for research infrastructure.
  • Ensure all research activities comply with institutional animal welfare policies, IACUC approvals, international and national permits, biosecurity protocols, and ethical standards for animal research and sample handling.
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of research facilities, labs, animal holding areas, field stations and core equipment, ensuring safe, efficient, and upgradable infrastructure.
  • Lead experimental design, protocols and statistical plans for research projects; ensure reproducible methods, robust sample sizes, clear metadata and use of appropriate analytical tools.
  • Manage specimen, tissue and genetic sample collection, chain‑of‑custody, storage (biobanks), access policies, and data governance, including adherence to Nagoya Protocol and local regulations when applicable.
  • Coordinate and supervise field research operations including permits, logistics, safety planning, local partner agreements, wildlife capture and handling protocols, and veterinary collaboration.
  • Foster and formalize collaborative research partnerships with universities, conservation NGOs, government agencies, indigenous communities and international program partners to expand research scope and impact.
  • Translate research outcomes into evidence‑based animal husbandry improvements, enrichment programs, breeding strategies and health monitoring protocols to improve welfare and reproductive success.
  • Publish peer‑reviewed papers, technical reports, white papers and conservation action plans; present research at professional conferences, stakeholder meetings and public outreach events.
  • Build and lead cross‑disciplinary initiatives that integrate behavioral, genetic, veterinary, nutritional and ecological data to inform conservation decisions, ex‑situ management and reintroduction plans.
  • Develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, conservation outcomes and research translation into policy or management changes.
  • Oversee data management lifecycle: establish standards for data quality, metadata, archiving, open data sharing where appropriate, and integration with institutional databases and global repositories.
  • Serve as the institutional contact for regulatory inspections, accreditation reviews, and ethical audits; prepare documentation and lead improvement plans when required.
  • Lead fundraising and donor cultivation efforts tied to research initiatives, prepare compelling research impact narratives, and collaborate with development staff to secure named funds or endowments.
  • Mentor and support professional development for early career scientists, coordinate internships and graduate training opportunities, and foster a rigorous, inclusive, and safety‑focused research culture.
  • Develop and implement outreach and science communication plans that translate research findings into interpretive content for visitors, educational curricula, digital media and policy briefs.
  • Evaluate and prioritize research proposals from staff or external collaborators; manage internal review processes and allocate institutional resources equitably and strategically.
  • Coordinate veterinary research collaborations, diagnostic surveillance programs, and disease outbreak response planning to safeguard collection health and wild populations linked to the institution’s work.
  • Oversee genetic management programs, captive breeding research, pedigree analyses and assisted reproduction initiatives to support conservation breeding objectives and maintain genetic diversity.
  • Conduct risk assessments and implement health, safety and environmental protocols for field teams and lab personnel engaged in potentially hazardous or high‑biosecurity activities.
  • Facilitate multidisciplinary working groups, research committees and advisory boards; prepare agendas, synthesize findings and ensure follow‑through on action items.
  • Champion equity, inclusion and capacity building in research partnerships, especially when working with Indigenous groups, local communities and international collaborators.

Secondary Functions

  • Respond to internal ad‑hoc research requests and provide rapid exploratory analyses to support animal care, veterinary decisions and exhibit management.
  • Contribute to the organization’s overall research and conservation strategy, helping prioritize projects that maximize conservation outcomes and institutional reputation.
  • Collaborate with animal care, veterinary, education, marketing and development teams to translate research into operational practices, public programs and fundraising initiatives.
  • Participate in leadership meetings and strategic planning, provide research performance metrics, and advise executive leadership on scientific opportunities and risks.
  • Support institutional reporting, accreditation materials and annual scientific impact summaries for boards, donors and stakeholders.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced research program management, including grant lifecycle management, budgeting, and deliverable tracking.
  • Expertise in experimental design, statistical analysis, and quantitative ecology using R, Python, or comparable tools.
  • Experience with population genetics and molecular lab techniques (PCR, DNA extraction, sequencing workflows), or proven ability to hire/manage these capacities.
  • Proficiency with GIS, remote sensing, telemetry (GPS/VHF) data collection and spatial analysis for wildlife monitoring.
  • Strong knowledge of animal welfare science, husbandry research methods, enrichment evaluation and behavioral ethograms.
  • Proven track record in publishing peer‑reviewed scientific papers and preparing technical conservation reports and management plans.
  • Familiarity with regulatory frameworks and permitting processes (IACUC, CITES, ESA, local wildlife permits), biosafety and sample export/import regulations.
  • Experience managing biobanks, specimen collections, or long‑term ecological datasets, including metadata standards and data archiving.
  • Practical knowledge of wildlife capture and handling techniques, field safety, and collaboration protocols with veterinary teams.
  • Proven fundraising skills related to research (proposal writing, donor briefings, stewardship of restricted funds).
  • Facility and lab management experience, including procurement, equipment maintenance schedules, and health & safety compliance.
  • Competence in project management tools and collaborative platforms (e.g., Asana, MS Project, Git/GitHub for code, electronic lab notebooks).

Soft Skills

  • Strategic leadership with ability to set scientific priorities and inspire interdisciplinary teams.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication for scientific, donor, public and regulatory audiences.
  • Strong mentorship and people management skills; ability to develop talent and manage performance.
  • Collaborative mindset and diplomatic stakeholder engagement with academic, governmental and community partners.
  • Critical thinking, problem solving and decision‑making under uncertainty and in fast‑moving operational contexts.
  • High ethical standards, cultural sensitivity and commitment to inclusive research practices.
  • Time management and prioritization skills to balance long‑term research goals with operational demands.
  • Adaptability and resilience to lead field operations, crisis responses and shifting institutional priorities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Master’s degree in Ecology, Zoology, Wildlife Biology, Conservation Science, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Science or closely related field.

Preferred Education:

  • PhD in Ecology, Conservation Biology, Zoology, Animal Behavior, Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with research specialization and a strong publication record.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Conservation Biology
  • Wildlife Ecology
  • Animal Behavior / Ethology
  • Veterinary Science / Animal Health
  • Population Genetics
  • Reproductive Physiology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7–15+ years of progressive experience in wildlife/zoological research, conservation program leadership, or related scientific management roles.

Preferred:

  • 10+ years with demonstrated leadership of research teams, successful grant awards, and a strong peer‑reviewed publication record.
  • Prior experience within accredited zoos, aquariums, research institutions or conservation NGOs; demonstrated experience with fieldwork, lab oversight and regulatory compliance.
  • Track record of cross‑sector partnerships, fundraising for science, and translating research into conservation action and public engagement.
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