Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Research Supervisor

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Research Supervisor leads applied and translational research programs within an accredited zoological institution. This role combines project leadership, team management, and hands-on scientific work to design, execute, and communicate research that advances animal welfare, species conservation, and evidence-based exhibit and husbandry practices. The ideal candidate supervises scientists and technicians, manages permits and budgets, ensures regulatory and animal welfare compliance (IACUC, USDA, state permits), partners with academic and conservation organizations, and publishes results to inform both in-house policy and the broader conservation community.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Research Technician or Research Assistant with wildlife or zoo experience
Animal Care Specialist or Senior Keeper transitioning into research
Postdoctoral Researcher focused on animal behavior, welfare, or conservation

Advancement To:

Director of Research or Science Programs
Head Curator or Senior Conservation Program Manager
Chief Scientific Officer or Institutional Research Lead

Lateral Moves:

Field Biologist / Conservation Scientist with partner organizations
Animal Behaviorist or Welfare Specialist in academic or NGO settings
Wildlife Policy Advisor or Grant Program Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of multi-year research projects that evaluate animal welfare, reproductive biology, behavior, nutrition, and conservation outcomes across institutional collections and field sites, ensuring robust experimental design, ethical treatment of animals, and reproducible results.
Supervise, mentor, and evaluate a multidisciplinary research team including research associates, technicians, interns, and volunteers; establish clear performance objectives, provide hands-on training in field and laboratory techniques, and foster a culture of scientific rigor and continuous improvement.
Develop and manage research budgets, track grant expenditures, procure specialized equipment and supplies, and ensure fiscal accountability while maximizing research productivity and leveraging institutional and external funding sources.
Write, coordinate, and submit competitive grant proposals, progress reports, and funding applications to governmental agencies, foundations, and corporate partners to secure financial support for research and conservation priorities.
Ensure full compliance with institutional animal care and use protocols (IACUC), USDA and other regulatory requirements, state and federal permits, and internal safety policies; prepare and submit permit applications, renewals, and regulatory reports as required.
Design and implement data collection protocols, oversee field and husbandry data acquisition (behavioral observations, physiological sampling, telemetry, video/audio monitoring), and maintain high standards for data integrity, metadata documentation, and chain-of-custody for samples.
Lead statistical analysis and interpretation of complex datasets using R, Python, or other statistical software; produce clear, reproducible scripts and analytical workflows and collaborate with institutional data managers to maintain research databases.
Coordinate collaborative research partnerships with universities, conservation NGOs, government agencies, and other zoos; negotiate MOUs, co-supervise students, and co-author scientific publications to advance institutional research impact and reputation.
Plan and execute animal handling and sample collection procedures (blood draws, biopsies, swabs, fecal collection, hormone sampling), working closely with veterinary staff to minimize stress and risk to animals while achieving scientific objectives.
Oversee the maintenance and calibration of laboratory and field equipment (spectrophotometers, microscopes, telemetry gear, camera traps, enrichment devices), ensure safety and training in equipment use, and manage relationships with external labs and service providers for specialized analyses.
Translate research findings into actionable recommendations for husbandry, exhibit design, enrichment programs, nutrition plans, and breeding programs; present evidence-based protocols to curatorial and animal care leadership for adoption.
Draft, review, and publish peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, white papers, and conference presentations that communicate research outcomes and inform both the scientific community and the public.
Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), sampling manuals, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) processes for research and monitoring activities to standardize methods across teams and projects.
Manage project timelines, project management tools, and milestone tracking to ensure timely completion of research deliverables and coordinate multi-site field seasons, travel logistics, and shipping of biological samples in accordance with biosafety and permitting rules.
Implement and oversee behavioral enrichment and monitoring programs tied to experimental studies, quantifying animal responses and ensuring enrichment aligns with welfare goals and research hypotheses.
Lead necropsy coordination and post-mortem sample processing when relevant to research objectives, ensuring appropriate collection, preservation, and documentation of tissues and data for subsequent analysis and repository storage.
Conduct risk assessments and develop contingency plans for fieldwork and laboratory protocols, including biosecurity measures, zoonotic disease prevention, and emergency response procedures for staff and animals.
Train animal care staff and interns in observational sampling methods, data entry best practices, animal handling safety, and ethical considerations for research involving captive animals to build institutional research capacity.
Oversee long-term monitoring and demographic studies (population viability analyses, reproductive success tracking), integrating zoo-based datasets with in situ conservation monitoring to inform species recovery strategies.
Coordinate outreach, education, and interpretive programs that communicate research goals and results to donors, visitors, school groups, and the media; prepare accessible summaries and visuals to support public understanding of scientific work.
Maintain and curate specimen archives, sample repositories, and digital data repositories; ensure persistent identifiers, documentation for reuse, and compliance with institutional data sharing and open-access policies.

Secondary Functions

Support institutional accreditation and audit processes by preparing documentation, research summaries, and compliance evidence requested by accrediting bodies (AZA, EAZA).
Contribute to strategic planning for the institution’s research priorities, helping to align projects with conservation targets, fundraising strategies, and institutional KPIs.
Participate in cross-departmental committees (animal welfare, collection planning, education) to integrate research findings into institutional decision-making and visitor-facing programs.
Mentor graduate students and visiting researchers, provide supervision for internships and capstone projects, and act as a liaison with academic advisors to ensure successful student research experiences.
Assist in donor relations and fundraising pitches by developing research impact summaries, outcomes metrics, and stewardship reports that demonstrate conservation value and institutional return on investment.
Maintain accurate scheduling, staffing rosters, and field season calendars to optimize personnel deployment and ensure uninterrupted animal care and research coverage.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Experimental design and hypothesis-driven research planning for captive animal studies and applied conservation projects.
Advanced statistical analysis and data science skills (R, Python, mixed models, GLMMs, time-series, power analysis).
Experience with telemetry, biologging, camera trap, acoustic sampling, and remote sensing tools (GPS, VHF, acoustic recorders).
Laboratory techniques relevant to zoological research (hormone assays, ELISA, PCR/qPCR, sample preservation and handling).
Database management and data curation (SQL, Excel best practices, GIS integration for spatial analyses).
IACUC protocol development and regulatory permitting experience (USDA, CITES, state wildlife permits).
Grant writing, budgeting, and financial management for research programs and externally funded projects.
Scientific writing and peer-reviewed publication experience; ability to prepare manuscripts, technical reports, and conference abstracts.
Project management, including timeline creation, milestone tracking, vendor management, and logistics coordination for fieldwork.
Animal handling and welfare assessment skills, including behavior observation methodologies and enrichment program design.
Version control and reproducible research workflows (Git/GitHub or similar), and familiarity with open science and data-sharing practices.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management — ability to supervise, motivate, and develop a diverse team of scientists and technical staff.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills for scientific, regulatory, and public-facing audiences.
Collaborative mindset with demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships across institutions and disciplines.
Critical thinking and problem-solving aptitude to troubleshoot field and lab challenges under logistical constraints.
Attention to detail and a commitment to data quality, reproducibility, and ethical research conduct.
Time management and prioritization skills to balance multiple concurrent projects and seasonal field demands.
Public speaking and outreach skills for presenting research to donors, boards, and general audiences.
Adaptability to shifting institutional priorities and evolving conservation needs.
Mentoring and teaching capability to support trainee development and capacity building.
Cultural competence and stakeholder sensitivity when working with local communities, indigenous groups, and international partners.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Zoology, Wildlife Ecology, Animal Behavior, Conservation Biology, or related field with significant research experience.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree or PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g., Animal Behavior, Conservation Science, Ecology) with a demonstrated track record of supervised research and publications.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Zoology
Wildlife Ecology
Animal Behavior / Ethology
Conservation Biology
Veterinary Science (for clinical collaboration)
Biological Sciences / Ecology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

3–8 years of progressive research experience in zoological, academic, government, or NGO settings, including fieldwork and lab methods.

Preferred:

5+ years of supervisory experience leading research teams, demonstrated success securing external funding, experience publishing peer-reviewed research, hands-on experience with IACUC/protocol management and permit processes, and prior work within accredited zoos, aquariums, or wildlife conservation programs.