Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Specialist

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Specialist is a scientist-practitioner who designs, implements, and manages applied research projects that inform animal care, conservation programs, and exhibit management in accredited zoological institutions. This role blends field and facility-based research — behavioral observation, physiological sampling, genetics, disease surveillance, and spatial ecology — with data analysis, reporting, and science communication. The ideal candidate is experienced in animal handling protocols, research ethics and permitting (IACUC, federal/state permits), data management and statistical analysis (R/Python), and collaborative conservation partnerships. This position drives evidence-based improvements to animal welfare, breeding programs, and species recovery initiatives while supporting education and publication goals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Zookeeper / Animal Keeper with research support experience
Research Assistant or Field Technician in wildlife/zoological projects
Graduate student (MSc/PhD) with applied animal research experience

Advancement To:

Senior Research Specialist / Lead Researcher
Research Scientist or Conservation Scientist (within zoo or external partner)
Conservation Program Manager / Species Survival Program (SSP) Coordinator
Curator of Research or Curator of Collections

Lateral Moves:

Animal Behaviorist / Ethologist
Wildlife Biologist or Conservation Biologist (in NGOs or government)
Conservation Educator / Interpretive Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, develop, and execute original research projects that address animal behavior, physiology, nutrition, genetics, and health with clear hypotheses, experimental design, and measurable outcomes that inform husbandry and conservation decisions.
Lead behavioral observation programs including development of ethograms, video recording protocols, inter-observer reliability training, and longitudinal scoring to quantify activity budgets, social dynamics, and enrichment efficacy.
Plan and carry out routine and targeted biological sampling (blood, feces, hair, saliva, swabs, tissue) using aseptic techniques and chain-of-custody practices to support hormonal, pathogen, genetic, and microbiome analyses.
Coordinate and implement capture, restraint, and anesthesia protocols in close partnership with veterinary staff; prepare pre-anesthesia plans, monitor vitals, and document all procedures to meet safety and welfare standards.
Operate and maintain telemetry, GPS collars, radio-tracking, and camera-trap systems for both on-exhibit and field-based monitoring; process raw data and manage associated metadata.
Manage laboratory sample processing workflows: centrifugation, aliquoting, cold-chain sample storage, shipping to contract labs, and in-house assays (hormone ELISA, PCR prep) following biosafety and quality-control procedures.
Conduct necropsies and post-mortem examinations in collaboration with veterinary pathologists, collect diagnostic samples, and document findings to support population health and reproductive success analyses.
Analyze ecological and experimental data using statistical software (R, Python, SPSS), produce reproducible scripts, perform power analyses, and translate results into actionable recommendations for animal care teams.
Maintain and curate research databases (SQL, Access, Excel, or bespoke LIMS), ensure accurate metadata, data security, and long-term archiving to meet institutional and funder requirements.
Prepare and submit regulatory documents: Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols, state and federal permit applications (e.g., USFWS, CITES), and biosafety approvals.
Write, edit, and submit peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, and white papers; prepare scientific posters and oral presentations for conferences, professional meetings, and zoo accreditation reviews.
Develop, write, and contribute to grant proposals and funding applications; manage awarded research budgets, expense tracking, and reporting deliverables to funders.
Translate research findings into practical husbandry interventions and enrichment programs; design, test, and evaluate enrichment and exhibit modifications that improve welfare and visitor understanding.
Provide training, supervision, and mentorship to interns, volunteers, zookeepers, and junior researchers in field techniques, data collection, lab protocols, and ethical conduct of research.
Act as primary liaison for external research partners (universities, conservation NGOs, government agencies), coordinate collaborative studies, data-sharing agreements, and joint publications.
Support captive breeding and genetic management by analyzing pedigree and molecular data to inform mate selection, reduce inbreeding, and advise on assisted reproductive techniques.
Lead health surveillance programs to detect and respond to infectious disease threats, coordinate quarantine procedures, and work with veterinary staff on treatment and prevention strategies.
Perform habitat and enclosure assessments using GIS and spatial analysis to evaluate space use, environmental enrichment distribution, and microhabitat design effectiveness.
Ensure strict compliance with animal welfare standards, AZA accreditation requirements, OSHA and institutional safety policies, and maintain complete, auditable research and animal records.
Communicate research outcomes to non-technical audiences through interpretive panels, keeper talks, social media content, and public-facing programs that support the institution’s conservation messaging.
Manage inventory of research equipment, consumables, and field vehicles; forecast supply needs, obtain quotes, and coordinate procurement to meet project timelines.
Support and sometimes lead translocation, reintroduction, or soft-release programs in partnership with conservation agencies, including pre-release health screening and post-release monitoring.
Contribute to institutional strategic planning for research priorities, conservation initiatives, and community science programs that align with species survival and public engagement goals.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests from curatorial, veterinary, or education teams and perform exploratory analyses to inform immediate animal care decisions.
Contribute to the institution’s research strategy and roadmap by identifying priority species, funding opportunities, and partnerships that maximize conservation impact.
Collaborate with education, marketing, and exhibit teams to integrate research findings into visitor experiences, interpretive materials, and digital content.
Assist in quality assurance and continuous improvement projects for husbandry protocols, enrichment evaluation systems, and welfare monitoring frameworks.
Participate in institutional governance committees (research committee, welfare review panels, safety committee) and help develop policy for ethical research conduct.
Support volunteer and community science initiatives by designing simple data-collection protocols, training participants, and validating citizen-provided data for research use.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced animal handling and restraint techniques for a broad taxonomic range; proficiency in anesthesia monitoring and peri-anesthetic protocols.
Behavioral observation and ethogram development with demonstrated experience in inter-observer reliability training and video scoring workflows.
Field methods: GPS, telemetry, radio-tracking, camera-trap setup and maintenance, and remote sensing basics.
Laboratory skills: sample collection, preservation, cold-chain management, ELISA/hormone assays, PCR basics, microbiology sample handling, and proper disposal procedures.
Statistical analysis and reproducible research: strong competence in R or Python (data wrangling, mixed models, survival analysis, GLMs), and familiarity with version control (Git).
GIS and spatial analysis for habitat use, home range estimation (e.g., ArcGIS, QGIS, home-range packages in R).
Data management and database maintenance (SQL, Access, LIMS) with rigorous metadata and QA/QC practices.
Regulatory and compliance knowledge including IACUC protocol preparation, state/federal permitting (USFWS, CITES where applicable), and AZA accreditation standards.
Grant writing, project budgeting, and funder reporting; demonstrated success securing or contributing to funded projects.
Scientific communication: peer-reviewed manuscript preparation, conference presentation, poster creation, and translating science for public audiences.
Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting for field and lab instruments (thermometers, centrifuges, data loggers, camera traps).
Basic veterinary diagnostics support experience and familiarity with clinical sample handling.

Soft Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills for interdisciplinary collaboration, grant writing, and public outreach.
Critical thinking and problem-solving; ability to design robust experiments and adapt methods in field conditions.
Leadership and mentorship with experience training staff, interns, and volunteers in technical protocols.
Attention to detail and high standards for documentation, reproducibility, and ethical conduct.
Project management and time management: prioritize multiple projects, meet deadlines, and manage budgets.
Collaborative mindset: proven success building partnerships across departments, institutions, and agencies.
Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills for working with local partners and stakeholders.
Flexibility and resilience for variable schedules, fieldwork in remote or harsh environments, and emergency response.
Public-facing presentation skills for education programs, donor briefings, and media interactions.
Curiosity and lifelong learning orientation: keeps up-to-date on scientific literature, methods, and best practices.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Animal Science, Conservation Biology, or related discipline.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree or PhD in Wildlife Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related research-focused graduate degree preferred for lead or senior roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology / Animal Behavior
Wildlife Ecology / Conservation Biology
Veterinary Science / Animal Health
Molecular Ecology / Genetics
Environmental Science / GIS

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years of direct zoo or field research experience for mid-level roles; entry-level may be 0–2 years with strong academic research experience or internships.

Preferred:

5+ years of applied research experience in a zoological or conservation setting, with demonstrable independent project leadership, published or submitted peer-reviewed work, successful grant contributions, and experience obtaining/maintaining permits and IACUC approvals.