Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoology Intern

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoology Intern supports research, monitoring, and animal-care activities across field and lab environments under the supervision of senior scientists, wildlife biologists, and animal care staff. This entry-level role combines hands-on fieldwork (surveys, trapping, tagging, camera deployment), controlled animal handling and husbandry, laboratory sample processing (DNA, tissue, and fecal assays), structured behavioral observations, and rigorous data management. The position is ideal for students and early-career candidates seeking practical experience and mentorship in wildlife research, conservation, and applied zoology. Strong emphasis is placed on safety, ethical treatment of animals, permitting compliance, and clear scientific documentation suitable for publication and stakeholder reporting.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Undergraduate student in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, or related major
Volunteer field technician or animal care volunteer
Laboratory assistant supporting conservation or university research

Advancement To:

Field Technician / Field Biologist
Wildlife Biologist / Conservation Biologist
Research Associate or Lab Technician
Graduate study (MS/PhD) in ecology, zoology, or conservation biology

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Education Specialist
Animal Care Technician / Zoo Keeper
GIS/Spatial Analyst for conservation projects

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct standardized field surveys and transect sampling to monitor species abundance, distribution, and habitat usage using established protocols (e.g., point counts, line transects, mark–recapture) and record detailed observations in field logs and mobile data apps.
Capture, handle, measure, and release small and medium-sized vertebrates under supervisor guidance, following institutional animal care and use protocols and relevant permits to ensure animal welfare and personnel safety.
Deploy, maintain, and retrieve remote camera traps, bait stations, and acoustic recorders; download and curate media files and annotate detections for species ID and behavioral context.
Operate and maintain wildlife telemetry equipment (VHF/GPS units), including tracking collared individuals, downloading GPS fixes, and troubleshooting receiver and tag issues.
Assist with trapping and live-capture operations (e.g., cage traps, mist nets, Sherman traps) including pre-check routines, humane handling, sample collection, and post-capture animal care, ensuring compliance with all safety and permitting requirements.
Collect biological samples (blood, tissue biopsies, hair, feathers, feces, swabs) for genetic, disease, isotope, or hormone analysis; follow chain-of-custody, labeling, preservation, and cold-chain procedures to ensure sample integrity.
Prepare and process lab samples for downstream analyses (DNA extraction, PCR setup, microscopy, parasite screening) under supervision, maintaining sterile technique and accurate lab notebooks.
Perform behavioral observations using focal animal sampling, scan sampling, and ethogram-based recording to quantify activity budgets, social interactions, foraging strategies, and reproductive behaviors.
Maintain accurate, timely, and structured datasets using spreadsheets and scientific databases; perform initial data cleaning, QC checks, and metadata documentation to prepare datasets for analysis.
Support spatial data collection and mapping by recording GPS waypoints, conducting habitat assessments, and assisting with GIS mapping and habitat classification workflows.
Assist in the design and erection of experimental enclosures, monitoring stations, and habitat restoration plots; participate in vegetation surveys and habitat manipulation under research plans.
Participate in community outreach and education events, presenting project goals, methods, and preliminary findings to stakeholders, volunteers, and school groups to increase public awareness and support.
Assist with necropsies and post-mortem examinations under supervision, collecting diagnostic samples and recording pathological findings for wildlife health and disease surveillance projects.
Help maintain captive animal husbandry duties when applicable, including feeding, enclosure cleaning, enrichment implementation, and veterinary observation logs in compliance with institutional standards.
Contribute to permit applications, field safety plans, and standard operating procedures by preparing required documentation, species sighting reports, and permit-specific logs.
Support a culture of safety by conducting daily risk assessments, reporting hazards, maintaining first-aid and field equipment, and participating in safety trainings such as animal handling and wilderness first aid.
Participate in laboratory and field inventory management, tracking consumables, reagents, and equipment calibration schedules to maintain operational readiness.
Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to assist in experimental setup, randomized sample allocation, and protocol adherence to ensure scientific rigor and reproducibility.
Perform basic statistical summaries and visualizations of monitoring data using tools such as Excel or R under direction, helping translate raw data into interpretable results for supervisors.
Contribute written materials for technical reports, project summaries, and funding updates; support manuscript preparation by preparing figures, compiling references, and proofreading sections.
Conduct literature reviews and compile species- or region-specific background materials to support project design, grant proposals, and field protocols.
Manage and train volunteers or seasonal interns on safe field methods, data recording standards, and species identification to scale monitoring efforts while maintaining data quality.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests, assist with exploratory data analysis, and help prepare visual summaries for team meetings and stakeholder communications.
Contribute to the team's research strategy by offering field-based insights, suggesting protocol improvements, and participating in project planning workshops.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams (GIS analysts, veterinarians, lab technicians, educators) to translate field observations and sampling needs into clear operational tasks and experimental requirements.
Participate in sprint planning, weekly check-ins, and agile-style project coordination to ensure timely delivery of field seasons and data products.
Assist with grant reporting and documentation, preparing appendices, raw data exports, and methodological summaries required by funders.
Coordinate logistics for field deployments including vehicle prep, equipment packing lists, permit copies, and sample transport to laboratories.
Help maintain and update species occurrence databases and contribute to citizen science platforms by validating community-submitted observations under supervision.
Provide on-site training and mentoring for visiting interns and volunteers to ensure consistent application of animal handling, sampling, and data-entry procedures.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Field survey techniques: point counts, transects, line surveys, and mark–recapture protocols.
Animal handling and restraint: safe capture, manipulation, measurement, and humane release procedures for a range of taxa.
Sample collection and preservation: blood draws, tissue biopsies, fecal and feather collection, with proper labeling and cold-chain management.
Laboratory techniques: basic molecular biology workflows (DNA extraction, PCR setup), microscopy, and sample preparation.
Wildlife telemetry: familiarity with VHF/GPS tags, antenna use, and downloading/tag troubleshooting methods.
Remote sensing and camera trap management: deployment strategies, memory management, and image/video curation.
Species identification: local flora and fauna identification skills for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, or invertebrates relevant to project area.
GIS and spatial data basics: waypoint collection, coordinate systems, and basic mapping in QGIS/ArcGIS or Google Earth.
Data management: structured data entry, metadata creation, version control, and basic quality control procedures.
Statistical literacy: foundational understanding of descriptive statistics and basic analysis/visualization in Excel or R.
Permit and regulatory knowledge: familiarity with wildlife research permitting, CITES, and institutional animal care and use procedures.
Field safety and first aid: wilderness first aid or equivalent training and understanding of biosecurity measures.

Soft Skills

Strong observational skills with high attention to detail for behavioral and health monitoring.
Excellent written and verbal communication for field notes, technical reports, and public outreach.
Teamwork and collaboration across researchers, volunteers, and external stakeholders.
Adaptability and resilience to perform in variable outdoor conditions and long field days.
Time management and organization to coordinate multi-component field seasons and lab workflows.
Ethical judgment and commitment to animal welfare and data integrity.
Problem-solving mindset to troubleshoot field equipment failures and logistical challenges.
Cultural sensitivity and community engagement skills for interacting with local partners and stakeholders.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled in or recently completed a Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Zoology, Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Conservation Biology, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Zoology, Ecology, Wildlife Biology, or Conservation Science with coursework in animal behavior, ecology, population biology, and statistics.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology / Animal Biology
Wildlife Ecology / Conservation Biology
Ecology / Environmental Science
Molecular Ecology / Wildlife Health

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–2 years of relevant experience; internships, volunteer work, or field-season roles are highly valued.

Preferred:

1+ seasons of organized field research experience (camera trapping, telemetry, trapping, behavioral observation) or equivalent laboratory experience.
Experience with data entry and basic analysis (Excel, R), and familiarity with GPS/GIS workflows.
Certifications such as Wilderness First Aid, animal handling training, and relevant permitting experience are a plus.