Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Technician is a frontline scientific professional who implements research protocols in zoos and field settings. You will perform animal care and behavioral observations, collect and process biological samples, maintain research equipment and databases, assist with veterinary procedures, and ensure strict adherence to animal welfare, safety, and permit requirements. This role supports conservation-driven research projects, contributes to data quality and reporting, and interfaces with researchers, curators, veterinarians, volunteers, and the public.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Animal Care Technician / Zookeeper I
Field Research Assistant or Wildlife Technician
Veterinary Assistant or Laboratory Technician

Advancement To:

Senior Research Technician / Lead Research Technician
Research Coordinator or Project Manager (Zoo Research)
Conservation Biologist / Research Scientist
Curatorial or Husbandry Supervisor roles

Lateral Moves:

Animal Behaviorist / Ethologist
Veterinary Technician (with additional certifications)
Laboratory Manager or Molecular Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Implement daily and project-specific animal husbandry tasks for study animals, including feeding, cleaning, husbandry logs, enrichment deployment, and monitoring of physical and behavioral welfare in accordance with institutional protocols and AWA/ASPCA guidelines.
Conduct structured behavioral observations using standardized ethograms, focal follows, scan sampling, and inter-observer reliability testing to ensure high-quality, reproducible datasets for peer-reviewed research.
Design, deploy, monitor, and maintain remote field instrumentation such as camera traps, GPS collars, acoustic recorders, and telemetry equipment; troubleshoot hardware and retrieve, back up, and preprocess raw data.
Collect biological samples (blood, feces, urine, swabs, feather/hair) following aseptic technique and research protocols; label, store, and transport specimens under chain-of-custody and biosafety requirements.
Assist veterinarians and wildlife health staff during physical exams, sedation/chemical immobilization procedures, sample collection, and post-procedure monitoring, adhering to sedation safety and monitoring protocols.
Process biological samples in the laboratory: centrifugation, aliquoting, storage at specified temperatures, PCR prep, basic molecular biology workflows (DNA/RNA extraction), and coordination with external diagnostic labs.
Maintain comprehensive, accurate research records and logs in electronic lab notebooks, ZIMS, REDCap, Excel, or institutional databases; enter and validate data daily to support timely analysis and reporting.
Run routine QA/QC checks on collected data and samples, flag anomalies, perform basic cleaning and formatting, and coordinate with principal investigators to resolve discrepancies prior to analysis.
Coordinate and support live animal training protocols related to research needs (voluntary blood draws, behavioral assays, and husbandry-related cooperatives) using positive reinforcement training and documented shaping plans.
Prepare and maintain research enclosures and experimental setups, including fabrication of experimental apparatus, safe mounting of cameras and sensors, and implementation of enrichment or experimental stimuli.
Ensure compliance with research permits, IACUC/ethics approvals, and institutional SOPs; prepare materials for permit renewals and contribute to protocol amendments and post-approval monitoring.
Conduct necropsy assistance and basic post-mortem sample collection under veterinary supervision, ensuring proper handling, labeling, and preservation of tissues for histopathology or toxicology.
Lead day-to-day fieldwork logistics for local and regional projects: travel planning, equipment inventories, safety briefings, supply procurement, and fieldsite risk assessments.
Train and supervise volunteers, interns, and seasonal staff in animal handling, observational methods, sample collection, and data entry to maintain consistency and data integrity across teams.
Support specimen accessioning, museum or frozen-tissue collection protocols, and long-term sample inventory management with barcoding, cold-chain best practices, and cataloging systems.
Prepare, sterilize, calibrate, and maintain laboratory and field equipment (centrifuges, microscopes, balances, telemetry receivers) and keep maintenance logs to ensure instruments are research-ready.
Assist with grant-supported deliverables by compiling methods sections, summarizing project progress, preparing figures or preliminary data tables, and supporting grant reporting timelines.
Participate actively in weekly research meetings and cross-departmental coordination (veterinary, husbandry, curatorial) to align study design, welfare considerations, and operational feasibility.
Support behavioral and ecological data analyses using common tools (Excel, R, Python), produce basic visualizations and summary statistics, and prepare slides or posters for internal and public-facing presentations.
Conduct outreach and education tied to research projects, including guided tours, public talks, and development of interpretive materials that communicate research goals and conservation impact.
Implement and maintain biosecurity and biosafety practices, including PPE management, decontamination of tools and enclosures, and containment procedures for infectious or zoonotic materials.
Monitor and manage project budgets at the task level (consumables, reagents, travel), maintain purchase request documentation, and help forecast resource needs for upcoming field seasons.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis for researchers and institutional stakeholders.
Contribute to the organization's research strategy by providing operational feedback on feasibility, timelines, staffing, and equipment needs.
Collaborate with curatorial and animal care teams to translate research needs into husbandry adjustments and training plans.
Assist with public-facing communications: drafting research summaries, updating web pages, and preparing publications or outreach materials.
Support cross-institutional collaborations by preparing sample shipments, ensuring permit documentation, and coordinating with external lab partners.
Participate in professional development activities and maintain credentials required for fieldwork and laboratory duties.
Contribute to emergency response plans for animal escapes, facility incidents, and field-site safety, including acting as a point person for research continuity.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Skilled animal handling and husbandry across a broad range of taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) with documented competency and safety awareness.
Proficient behavioral observation and ethogram development, including inter-observer reliability (Cohen’s kappa) and standardized sampling techniques.
Experience in biological sample collection and preservation (blood draws, fecal sampling, swabs) using aseptic technique and cold-chain management.
Laboratory techniques: basic molecular biology workflows (DNA/RNA extraction, PCR setup), centrifugation, sample aliquoting, and microscopy fundamentals.
Telemetry, GPS, and remote-sensing equipment operation and maintenance; experience deploying and downloading data from collars, receivers, and camera traps.
Data management and analysis skills: database entry (ZIMS, REDCap), Excel proficiency, basic statistics, and familiarity with R or Python for data wrangling and summary analyses.
Veterinary support skills: restraint, pre- and post-anesthesia monitoring, basic clinical procedures under supervision, and sterile technique familiarity.
Permit and compliance knowledge: familiarity with IACUC protocols, CITES/export permits, and state/federal wildlife collecting permit processes.
Equipment maintenance and troubleshooting: calibration of balances, maintenance of refrigeration units and cold storage, and routine lab/field instrument upkeep.
Sample inventory systems and chain-of-custody procedures, including barcoding and cataloging for biorepositories.
Field logistics and safety competencies: wilderness first aid/basic life support (BLS), safe vehicle operation, and field risk assessment experience.

Soft Skills

Strong written and oral communication for scientific reporting, public outreach, and cross-team coordination.
Attention to detail and high level of accuracy for sample labeling, data entry, and protocol adherence.
Problem solving and adaptability in dynamic field and captive environments with shifting priorities and weather constraints.
Teamwork and leadership: ability to train and mentor interns and volunteers while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Time management and organizational skills for multi-project scheduling, equipment prep, and timely deliverables.
Ethical awareness and commitment to animal welfare, conservation values, and regulatory compliance.
Professional judgment and discretion when handling sensitive data, specimens, and institutional IP.
Customer service mindset for guest-facing research education and liaison work with stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree (A.A.S.) in Wildlife Biology, Animal Science, Zoology, Biology, or related field, OR equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience (1–3 years) in zoo/field research.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Zoology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a closely related discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Wildlife Biology / Ecology
Zoology / Animal Behavior
Conservation Biology / Environmental Science
Veterinary Technology / Animal Science
Molecular Biology / Laboratory Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 1–5 years of progressive experience in zoo, aquarium, wildlife rehabilitation, laboratory, or field research roles.

Preferred:

2–4+ years supporting institutional research projects in a zoo, aquarium, university, or government agency.
Demonstrated experience with behavioral studies, biological sample collection, and basic molecular or histological sample processing.
Prior exposure to IACUC protocols, permit acquisition, or veterinary-assisted procedures.
Certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, BLS/CPR, or Certified Veterinary Technician are advantageous.
Proven ability to lead seasonal crews, interns or volunteers and to manage logistics for multi-site field campaigns.

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