Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Assistant

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Assistant supports scientific investigations and monitoring programs across captive and field settings. This includes preparing and executing study protocols, collecting high-quality behavioral and biological data, processing and cataloging samples, maintaining records to meet institutional and regulatory standards, assisting with veterinary and enrichment programs, and communicating findings to scientists, curators, and the public. The role requires strong animal handling skills, attention to detail, basic laboratory competencies, and the ability to operate in physically demanding, variable environments.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Animal Care Technician / Keeper I with 6–24 months of experience in a zoo or sanctuary
Field Technician or Wildlife Technician from university-led projects
Laboratory Assistant or Research Intern with exposure to wildlife research methods

Advancement To:

Senior Research Assistant or Research Coordinator (lead field/lab projects)
Conservation Scientist / Wildlife Biologist within the institution or partner agencies
Curatorial or Animal Care Supervisor roles focused on research-informed husbandry

Lateral Moves:

Animal Keeper / Lead Keeper (specializing in husbandry and enrichment design)
Education and Outreach Specialist integrating research into public programs

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Design, implement, and follow standardized research protocols under the guidance of lead investigators and curators to ensure reproducible, high-quality behavioral, physiological, and ecological data collection in captive and field settings.
Perform daily animal husbandry tasks for study subjects — including feeding, enclosure cleaning, monitoring, and environmental enrichment — while maintaining consistency with experimental schedules and ensuring animal welfare is prioritized.
Conduct systematic behavioral observations using defined ethograms and sampling methods (e.g., focal follows, scan sampling, continuous recording), accurately recording duration, frequency, and context of behaviors for downstream analysis.
Collect biological samples (blood, feces, saliva, feather/skin swabs, urine) following aseptic technique and chain-of-custody procedures, label and log specimens, and coordinate timely transport to internal or external laboratories.
Assist veterinary staff with routine health checks, anesthesia monitoring, and emergency procedures when trained and authorized; maintain up-to-date medical and procedural records for each study animal.
Operate and maintain field equipment such as GPS units, telemetry receivers and collars, camera traps, remote sensors, and acoustic recorders; troubleshoot equipment failures and maintain logs for calibration and deployment dates.
Process, catalog, and store biological samples in compliance with biosafety and institutional policies, including cold chain maintenance, inventory control, and sample database entry for easy retrieval and tracking.
Enter, clean, and validate research and husbandry datasets using spreadsheets and lab databases (e.g., Excel, Access, laboratory information management systems), ensuring metadata and methods are clearly documented for reproducibility.
Support laboratory procedures including DNA extraction, PCR set-up, ELISA assays, microscopy, and sample aliquoting, following standard operating procedures and under appropriate biosafety supervision.
Prepare and maintain detailed field notebooks, electronic logs, and institutional research records to satisfy internal review, grant reporting, and permit requirements (state, federal, and IACUC).
Participate in permit application processes and ensure all research activities comply with institutional animal care and use policies, federal and state wildlife regulations, and CITES requirements when applicable.
Train and supervise volunteers, seasonal technicians, and students on observational protocols, animal handling safety, ethical field practices, and sample collection methods to maintain consistent data quality across teams.
Analyze basic datasets using statistical software (e.g., R, Python, JMP) to produce summary tables, visualizations, and descriptive statistics for internal reporting and to support manuscript preparation and grant deliverables.
Assist with necropsy support and post-mortem sample collection, documenting findings and preserving tissues as requested by pathologists and lead researchers, adhering to biohazard and specimen handling policies.
Collaborate with curatorial and conservation staff to design enrichment programs informed by behavioral data and to evaluate the impact of management changes on welfare and reproductive success.
Coordinate logistics for field deployments, including travel planning, equipment packing lists, permits, and safety briefings to ensure efficient remote work and adherence to safety protocols.
Conduct remote and field-based monitoring (e.g., transect surveys, occupancy surveys, nest checks) for local conservation projects, contributing high-quality presence/absence and abundance data for regional partners.
Contribute to manuscript preparation and technical reports by drafting methods sections, compiling figures and tables, and maintaining an organized repository of raw and processed data for co-authors.
Manage inventory and procurement for research supplies (lab reagents, PPE, telemetry batteries) to avoid project delays and ensure responsible budget use, documenting expenditures for grant reconciliation.
Lead or participate in regular project meetings, presenting preliminary findings, identifying methodological issues, and proposing iterative improvements to study design or data collection workflows.
Maintain and update species-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs), risk assessments, and emergency response plans, ensuring changes are communicated and training is provided to relevant staff.
Facilitate public-facing science communication opportunities, including guided demonstrations, behind-the-scenes tours, talks, and social media content that translate research outcomes into accessible conservation messages without compromising research integrity.
Support cross-institutional collaborations by exchanging datasets, harmonizing protocols, and coordinating joint field activities with universities, government agencies, and NGOs.
Implement and monitor biosecurity and quarantine measures for incoming animals and field-collected materials to minimize disease risk to collection animals and staff.

Secondary Functions

Assist in preparing grant applications and progress reports by compiling data summaries, preliminary analyses, and methodology descriptions to strengthen funding proposals.
Develop and deliver training modules and standard operating procedure updates for animal care staff and volunteers to sustain consistent data collection and welfare practices.
Maintain and improve digital data management systems (cloud backups, shared drives, LIMS) to ensure research transparency, long-term accessibility, and compliance with institutional data retention policies.
Support on-site visitor engagement and education teams by coordinating research-themed programs that highlight conservation relevance and institutional priorities.
Participate in institutional committees or working groups related to welfare monitoring, ethics review, or conservation strategy, contributing empirical evidence and operational perspectives.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven animal handling and restraint techniques across multiple taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians), with documented training or supervision.
Behavioral observation and ethogram development experience, including application of focal, scan, and ad-libitum sampling methods.
Field techniques competency: GPS navigation, radio/GPS telemetry deployment and tracking, camera trap setup and maintenance, and remote sensor operation.
Biological sample collection and processing skills, including sterile technique, blood draws (if certified), fecal and swab sampling, sample preservation, and cold chain management.
Basic laboratory skills such as DNA extraction, PCR setup, ELISA, microscopy, and sample aliquoting, with adherence to biosafety and contamination control protocols.
Proficiency with data entry, cleaning, and basic statistical analyses using Excel and at least one programming/statistical environment (R, Python, or SPSS).
Experience using research databases, LIMS, or inventory management systems and maintaining meticulous metadata and chain-of-custody documentation.
Familiarity with permitting processes (IACUC, state wildlife permits, CITES paperwork) and ability to maintain compliance documentation for audits.
Competence in GIS basics and spatial data handling for mapping animal movements and habitat features (ArcGIS, QGIS, or equivalent).
Skilled in operating and troubleshooting specialized equipment such as telemetry receivers, automated recording units, and portable lab instruments.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and commitment to data quality, reproducibility, and clear documentation.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and producing clear methods and reports.
Ability to work independently in field or lab settings and to make safe, informed decisions under variable conditions.
Collaborative teamwork mindset, including mentoring junior staff and coordinating with keepers, vets, curators, and external partners.
Problem-solving orientation with the flexibility to adapt protocols in response to logistical or biological challenges.
Physical stamina and comfort working outdoors, in inclement weather, and performing physically demanding tasks such as lifting and repetitive movements.
Time management and organizational skills for handling simultaneous projects, shifting priorities, and strict sample timelines.
Cultural sensitivity and professional public engagement skills when interacting with visitors, volunteers, and community partners.
Ethical judgment and integrity in the care of animals, management of sensitive data, and compliance with research ethics.
Commitment to ongoing learning, including attending trainings, workshops, and staying current with conservation science literature.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Animal Science, Conservation Biology, or related field is preferred; equivalent professional experience and certifications considered.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Biology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, or a related discipline; Master's degree preferred for senior research roles or speciality projects.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Wildlife Biology
Zoology / Animal Behavior
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Veterinary Technology / Animal Science
Molecular Biology or Laboratory Science (for lab-oriented projects)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1–4 years of relevant experience in zoo, aquarium, sanctuary, or field research settings; internships and volunteer field seasons count toward experience when well-documented.

Preferred:

2+ years of direct experience conducting animal behavioral research, field telemetry, and/or laboratory sample processing with documented contributions to data collection protocols, permit compliance, or peer-reviewed outputs.