Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Consultant

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Consultant partners with zoo leadership, curatorial and veterinary teams, and external conservation organizations to design and deliver high-impact research projects that inform husbandry, breeding, welfare, and species conservation. Responsibilities include experimental design, behavioral and physiological data collection, advanced statistical analysis, grant and report writing, permitting and compliance, and translating findings into operational recommendations for enclosure design, enrichment, and population management. This role is ideal for candidates with a background in zoo biology, animal behavior, wildlife ecology, or conservation science who can combine practical husbandry knowledge with quantitative research skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Research Assistant or Field Technician (zoo, aquarium, or wildlife field programs)
Animal Care Technician / Keeper with documented research experience
Graduate research assistant in animal behavior, conservation biology, or wildlife ecology

Advancement To:

Senior Zoo Research Scientist / Head of Research
Conservation Program Manager or Ex-situ Program Director
Academic or NGO Research Lead (with publication and funding track record)

Lateral Moves:

Animal Welfare and Enrichment Specialist
Population Management / Species Survival Plan (SSP) Coordinator
Conservation Program Coordinator (in-situ / ex-situ partnerships)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the design, implementation, and management of multi-year applied research projects focused on animal behavior, welfare, reproduction, and conservation outcomes in zoo and ex situ populations, ensuring robust experimental design, statistical power, and clear operational objectives.
Conduct systematic behavioral observations and collect physiological, endocrinological (e.g., fecal/serum glucocorticoids), and health-related data for a variety of taxa using standardized ethograms, focal and scan sampling methods, and validated welfare assessment protocols.
Analyze complex datasets using statistical modeling and data visualization tools (e.g., R, Python, mixed-effects models, Bayesian inference) to produce evidence-based conclusions and actionable recommendations for husbandry, enrichment, and enclosure design.
Prepare, write, and submit competitive grant proposals, funder reports, and budget forecasts to secure external research funding and support institutional research priorities.
Publish peer-reviewed articles and technical reports communicating research findings to scientific, professional, and public audiences; present at conferences, symposia, and institutional briefings to disseminate results and promote knowledge transfer.
Coordinate and supervise field and research staff, interns, and volunteers; provide training in animal handling, data collection protocols, ethical research practices, and safety procedures to ensure data quality and staff competence.
Implement telemetry, GPS, and remote monitoring technologies (e.g., radio collars, biologgers, camera traps, acoustic recorders) for behavioral and movement studies, and manage data pipelines from raw sensor data to analytical datasets.
Manage molecular and laboratory collaborations for genetic, hormonal, or pathogen testing (e.g., sample collection protocols, chain of custody, liaising with diagnostic labs) to support population genetics, breeding, and health assessments.
Develop and maintain comprehensive data management systems and metadata standards (including data entry, validation, backup, and sharing policies) to support reproducibility and institutional knowledge retention.
Oversee permitting and compliance activities related to research (IACUC/ethics review, state and federal collection permits, CITES, quarantine protocols) and maintain up-to-date records to ensure legal and ethical research conduct.
Design, implement, and evaluate enrichment and training programs aimed at improving welfare and husbandry outcomes, using controlled experimental approaches and welfare metrics to assess effectiveness.
Collaborate with veterinary staff to integrate research findings into clinical care, preventative medicine protocols, nutritional plans, and breeding programs to improve individual and population health.
Lead population monitoring and demographic analyses for managed breeding programs (e.g., studbook analysis, genetic diversity assessments, mate choice trials) to inform population management and conservation breeding strategies.
Develop species-specific monitoring protocols, standard operating procedures, and husbandry guidelines that incorporate best-practice science and ensure consistency across animal care teams and partner institutions.
Conduct risk assessments and biosecurity planning for research activities, including quarantine procedures, zoonotic risk mitigation, and sample transport logistics to protect animals, staff, and public health.
Facilitate cross-institutional research partnerships and conservation collaborations with universities, NGOs, and government agencies to promote applied research, data sharing, and conservation action plans.
Translate complex scientific results into clear, concise recommendations and operational plans for curators, keepers, and management teams, and support implementation through workshops, training sessions, and monitoring.
Manage project budgets, procurement of research equipment and supplies, and coordinate logistical needs for field and captive research activities, ensuring cost-effective and timely project delivery.
Oversee long-term monitoring programs and maintain longitudinal datasets that track welfare indicators, reproductive success, and behavioral changes over time to evaluate the impact of interventions.
Serve as the institutional subject-matter expert on research methodologies, animal welfare metrics, and evidence-based best practices; advise senior leadership on strategic research directions and investment priorities.
Design and deliver public-facing science communication materials (exhibit content, blog posts, public talks) to raise awareness of the zoo’s research program, conservation initiatives, and the science behind animal care.
Respond to and coordinate investigative research after unusual events (e.g., morbidity/mortality reviews, behavioral anomalies) including necropsy coordination, data synthesis, and corrective action planning.
Ensure strict data confidentiality, ethical treatment of animals, and adherence to professional standards when collecting, analyzing, and publishing research data involving vulnerable or endangered species.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Advanced statistical analysis and modeling (mixed models, GLMs, Bayesian methods) using R, Python, or equivalent statistical software — capable of designing analyses and writing reproducible code.
Strong experience with behavioral observation software and data collection platforms (e.g., BORIS, Animal Observer, EthoLog, Observer XT, ZooMonitor).
GIS and spatial analysis skills using ArcGIS, QGIS, or similar for habitat mapping, enclosure planning, and telemetry data visualization.
Field telemetry, biologging, and remote monitoring expertise (GPS collars, VHF telemetry, camera trap deployment and image processing).
Molecular sample collection and coordination with diagnostic labs (DNA extraction, PCR concepts, sample chain-of-custody best practices).
Proficiency with data management, relational databases, and data cleaning (SQL, Excel, data versioning, metadata documentation).
Experience writing grant proposals, technical reports, and peer-reviewed manuscripts with a record of successful funding or publications.
Familiarity with animal welfare assessment tools and physiological measures (behavioral scoring, cortisol analysis, body condition indices).
Knowledge of permitting, regulatory frameworks, and ethical review processes (IACUC, CITES, local/state/federal permits).
Project management skills: budgeting, timelines, procurement, and staff coordination for multi-site or multi-year research programs.
Experience with machine learning or automated data processing (camera trap image classification, acoustic signal processing) is highly desirable.
Competency in experimental design, power analysis, and translating operational questions into testable hypotheses.

Soft Skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills for scientific writing, stakeholder briefings, and public outreach.
Strong interpersonal skills with experience collaborating across disciplines (veterinarians, curators, keepers, external partners).
Leadership and mentorship abilities to train staff, supervise technicians, and build research capacity within the institution.
Critical thinking and problem-solving orientation for troubleshooting fieldwork, methodological challenges, and data issues.
High attention to detail and organizational skills to manage permits, datasets, and sequential sampling protocols.
Adaptability and resilience to work in field conditions and balance competing institutional priorities.
Ethical judgment and integrity in animal use, data handling, and research dissemination.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple concurrent projects and deliverables.
Public-facing communication and education skills to translate research into accessible messaging for visitors and donors.
Collaborative mindset to build partnerships and navigate institutional politics to advance research goals.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Master’s degree in zoology, animal behavior, wildlife ecology, conservation biology, veterinary science, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience with a strong record of applied research may be considered.

Preferred Education:

PhD in animal behavior, conservation science, ecology, or related discipline with peer-reviewed publications and demonstrated project leadership.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Animal Behavior
Conservation Biology
Ecology
Zoology
Wildlife Management
Veterinary Science
Data Science / Biostatistics (for quantitative roles)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–10+ years of combined field and captive research experience, including demonstrated experience designing and delivering applied studies in zoos, aquaria, or wildlife settings.

Preferred:

5+ years of progressive experience leading research projects in zoo, aquarium, university, or conservation NGO settings.
Demonstrated success securing external research funding, publishing peer-reviewed papers, and translating research into operational changes that improved welfare or conservation outcomes.
Experience working with diverse taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) and familiarity with ex situ population management frameworks (e.g., SSP, EEP).