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Zoologists study animals and their behaviour, including their evolution, anatomy, physiology, distribution and classification

As a zoologist, you could be based in a laboratory, conducting data analysis or experiments, outdoors in the field, or even in remote overseas locations. You'll study species and populations of animals and work with animals either in the wild, in managed environments, or under controlled laboratory conditions.

You can specialise in a particular area, for example, choosing to work with:

• birds (ornithologist)
• fossil remains (paleozoologist)
• mammals (mammologist)
• parasites (parasitologist).
• reptiles and amphibians (herpetologist).

Job titles vary greatly and may include:

• conservation biologist
• field biologist
• field assistant
• wildlife biologist
• zoological field assistant.

Types of zoology work

You can work in a range of areas, including:

• conservation of endangered species and habitats
• animal education and welfare
• controlling pests and diseases
• drug development and testing
• improving livestock and crops in agriculture
• teaching and research.

Responsibilities

As a zoologist, you'll need to:

• study animals in captivity or in their natural environment
• conduct laboratory and/or field research
• collect, store and prepare specimens for analysis
• identify, record and monitor species of animals
• manage large data sets and use statistical software packages
• use modelling software to predict future scenarios, such as changes in habitats or population numbers
• write scientific reports and issue recommendations
• manage animal care, movement and enclosures
• rehabilitate and release animals back into their natural environment
• identify, monitor and address invasive species and other threats
• use software or equipment such as GIS (geographic information systems), GPS (global positioning systems), camera traps, acoustic monitors and behavioural tracking tools
• work with other professionals and support staff
• keep up to date with relevant research, policies and legislation
• teach in field or research centres
• educate members of the public, which could include children or adults
• supervise volunteers or assistants.

Salary

• In the early stages of their career, zoologists usually earn in the region of £22,000 to £26,000.
• Zoologists with several years' experience may earn between £27,000 and £35,000.
• Senior zoologists, such as senior researchers or those managing a team may earn £40,000 to £50,000+.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

Working hours

In an industry, research or higher education zoology role, you'll typically work from 9am to 5pm.

However, hours may vary when conducting field trips or working on research projects. Certain factors may dictate working times, for example, environmental issues like tidal changes and animal activity times such as nocturnal sleep patterns.

In conservation, it's common to work evenings, weekends and public holidays.

There may be some opportunities to work part time.

What to expect

• When undertaking research in the field, you may be working in isolated locations or areas where there are only basic living conditions or resources, such as limited or no electricity, phone and internet signal.
• Work can be physically tiring and involve working long hours in challenging terrain.
• You may work indoors in a laboratory, or outdoors in various environments such as national parks, zoos, rainforests, woodland, moorland, farmland or coastal areas.
• Some jobs and research positions may require you to travel or live abroad.
• Jobs can often be temporary, for example if you're working on a research project for a specific duration. However, opportunities for permanent positions do exist, such as in higher education teaching.

Qualifications

You'll usually need a degree in a relevant scientific subject like zoology, biology, marine biology or environmental biology.

Some employers look for candidates who have relevant postgraduate qualifications (such as an MSc or PhD), particularly for work that requires specialist knowledge. For research or teaching posts in higher education, you will normally need a PhD.

Search postgraduate courses in zoology.

Zoology is a popular area and competition for roles is often high, so having relevant work experience is essential.

Any training or experience using a piece of software or equipment that is relevant to the role could help you to stand out. The offers some training courses.

Skills

You'll need to have:

• research skills, such as a strong understanding of scientific methods and the tools and resources that you need
• good written communication skills for writing scientific reports and creating content for a non-specialist audience
• presentation skills, for engaging specialist and non-specialist audiences
• project management and teamworking skills, which may include working in varied teams, for example, with a science coordinator, rangers, or volunteers
• IT skills for recording, analysing and presenting data and reports
• good numerical reasoning, as you'll need to input data and interpret statistical findings
• attention to detail, as you will need to be observant and pick up on small details to ensure accuracy
• patience and perseverance, as you may have to make observations for prolonged periods of time
• practical skills, for handling animals or using equipment
• the ability to problem solve as some things won't go to plan, when capturing and tagging animals in the wild for example
• organisational skills, to plan the equipment you'll need and how you'll go about conducting your research and managing a varied workload.

Work experience

Pre-entry work or volunteering experience is necessary as competition for roles is often high. Try to gain experience in the areas you're most interested in.

Advertised work experience may be paid or unpaid, but unpaid work experience can be less competitive, and you can sometimes find opportunities through speculative applications using a CV and cover letter.

You may also be able to undertake a work placement or period of work shadowing during a vacation period. Some organisations, such as , offer internships. Some degree courses offer a sandwich year, where you can work for an organisation and gain valuable skills and experience.

You can volunteer in the UK or overseas. Speak to your volunteering department, visit volunteering databases such as or the websites of organisations, such as:

Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available.

Employers

You can find roles in zoology in the UK and overseas.

Typical employers include:

• animal and environmental charities
• aquaculture and animal nutrition companies
• chemical, pharmaceutical and petroleum companies
• conservation organisations
• environmental consultancies
• environmental protection agencies
• government agencies and research institutions
• medical research facilities and the health service
• science centres, libraries and museums
• universities and research institutes
• zoos, aquariums and wildlife parks and centres.

No one site advertises all zoology jobs, so you'll need to visit a variety of websites and individual organisations. Below are some examples, but this is by no means exhaustive. Jobs may also be advertised on social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.

Look for job vacancies at:

• - jobs, work experience and volunteering opportunities
• - environmental jobs in Ireland
• - for academic and research jobs in education in the UK and overseas

Networking is important as many zoology jobs are not advertised. Use social platforms such as LinkedIn, ask your alumni department for contacts and keep in contact with those you meet through volunteering or work experience.

Professional development

Showing a willingness to take on new responsibilities will help you to learn more on the job, and you can gain additional skills through training courses, which may be funded by your employer.

Some bodies or institutes offer training opportunities, conferences and events, such as .

There are specific societies for specialist areas of zoology, such as , which has its own training and events.

Mentoring from a more experienced professional may be something you can arrange through your workplace, or you may have to seek this opportunity out for yourself.

Free downloadable courses are available on programmes, such as R (statistical computing and graphics) and QGIS (an open source geographical information system).

Postgraduate study can be a good way to specialise and increase your skills and knowledge and there are often options to do this on a part-time basis or through distance learning.

Career prospects

Opportunities for progression are generally more structured in larger organisations. In smaller organisations, you may need to travel or change roles to progress.

Entry-level roles may be that of zoological assistant or field assistant; after gaining experience you could progress to more senior roles, which could involve managing a team. In senior roles, it's likely you'll be doing less fieldwork and focusing more on organisation and people management.

In industry, you may be able to progress towards roles such as senior researcher or onto more managerial roles.

In a university setting, zoologists often start as research students, while completing their PhD and then move onto a postdoctoral research position, before eventually progressing to the position of a senior researcher, lecturer or professor.

You could specialise in a particular area of zoology. For example, mammalogists focus on mammals, herpetologists look at reptiles and ornithologists study birds. Or with experience, move into consultancy, providing expert advice in areas such as ecological or environmental, wildlife or habitat or animal welfare and behaviour.