How to become A Zoologist

Their fascination for the animal kingdom and its mind-boggling diversity is what drives Zoologists to devote their lives to the study of animal behaviour in its entirety.

• Wildlife Biologist
• Animal Scientist
• Animal Biologist

What do Zoologists do?

A Zoologist would typically need to:

• Study the characteristics of animals - their interactions with other species, reproduction, population dynamics, diseases, and movement patterns; develop and conduct experimental studies with animals in controlled or natural surroundings
• Take blood samples from animals to assess their nutrition levels, check animals for disease and parasites, and tag animals to track them
• Collect and analyze biological data and specimens, which contributes to furthering our knowledge and understanding of wildlife species
• Research, initiate, and maintain ways of improving breeding programs that support healthy game animals, endangered species, or other wild populations of land or aquatic life
• Analyze the influence that human activity has on wildlife and their natural habitats; estimate, monitor, and manage wildlife populations and invasive plants and animals
• Develop and implement programs to reduce risk to human activities from wildlife and invasive species, such as keeping wildlife from interfering with airport operations or livestock and crop production
• Write research papers, reports, and scholarly articles that explain their findings; give presentations on research findings to academics and the general public
• Develop conservation plans and make recommendations on wildlife conservation and management issues to policymakers and the general public
• Collaborate with public officials to carry out conservation efforts to protect species from threats and help animal populations return to and remain at sustainable levels
• Work on research teams with other scientists and technicians, such as environmental scientists and hydrologists, to monitor water pollution and its effects on aquatic species
• Use geographic information systems (GIS), modeling software, and other computer programs to estimate wildlife populations and track the movements of animals
• Use computer programs to forecast the spread of invasive species or diseases, project changes in the availability of habitat, and assess other potential threats to wildlife

University work is usually office and lab-based, although these roles may include short or long-term expeditions abroad. Fieldwork will take you outdoors to locations nearby or at a distance.

The dress code is casual for fieldwork with safety gear appropriate to the weather and the location and relatively informal for most Zoologist roles unless you work for a consultancy. Then business formal may be the norm.

Most Zoologists work full time, although your area of work will determine your hours. Those who work with nocturnal animals may need to work at night, at least some of the time. Fieldwork contracts are usually between 40 to 50 hours a week but may require longer or irregular hours, often depending on project-specific factors such as tides. It may mean you need to make some early starts or cope with 24-hour days on field trips.

Work hours at a university, consultancy, or NGO are usually more structured, although these may vary if you are engaged in specific projects with academics.

As a post-doctoral research fellow or professor, research work offers flexibility since you manage your own research. However, be aware that research jobs usually come with short-term contracts (12 to 24 months) as projects are typically funded by grants.

Part-time work is also available.

Governments are the largest employers of Zoologists. Land management agencies, fish & wildlife services, environmental protection agencies, and national park services employ Zoologists. Research companies hire them to conduct studies and tests to assess how new products and operations affect animal life. Research in engineering, as well as in the physical and life sciences, need the services of Zoologists.

Zoologists are generally employed by:

• State & Federal Governments
• Zoological Parks or Zoos
• Wildlife Refuges & Preserves
• National Parks
• Aquariums
• International Study Groups
• Research Foundations
• Management Consultancies
• Scientific & Technical Consultancies
• Colleges and Universities
• Professional Schools

By joining professional associations such as the International Society of Zoological Sciences, you can avail of the resources they provide to undertake research in your field, foster collaboration with like-minded professionals and organizations, and pursue professional development. Such memberships look excellent on your resume and bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Zoologist.

• Fieldwork can be physically demanding, primarily if carried out on rugged terrain or in extreme weather conditions; also emotionally demanding due to limited interpersonal contact
• Fieldwork may require travel to remote and diverse locations and environments anywhere in the world, such as aboard a research ship, which may cause seasickness; deserts and mountainous or woodland regions would offer limited modern amenities
• Precautions needed when handling wildlife or working in remote areas

Aspirants should consider writing speculative applications to organizations that interest them, such as aquariums, museums, or environmental consultancies, to build up a range of skills and work out what they enjoy before specializing.

Students should consider volunteering for local wildlife trusts, marine conservation organizations, local charities, ocean clean-up organizations, sanctuaries, and rescue centers in terms of fieldwork. You may also find paid-for experiences across the world. Record all your work experiences, including field trips.

Building relevant contacts through LinkedIn, Twitter, volunteering, careers fairs, and university departments can also help you seize opportunities in a variety of places to gain the experience that will give you a competitive edge.

Some Zoologists may need well-rounded outdoor skills. They may need to drive a tractor, boat, or an ATV, use a generator, or provide for themselves in remote locations.

Zoologists usually need at least a bachelor’s degree. Many schools offer undergraduate programs in zoology and wildlife biology or a closely related field, such as ecology. A major in biology with coursework in zoology and wildlife biology is good preparation for a Zoologist career.

Zoology and wildlife biology programs would typically include courses in ecology, anatomy, wildlife management, and cellular biology. Students could also take courses that focus on a particular group of animals, such as herpetology (reptiles and amphibians) or ornithology (birds).

Courses in botany, chemistry, and physics help Zoologists acquire comprehensive scientific knowledge. Zoologists may also need to take additional courses in animal science, veterinary science, animal behavior, and animal husbandry to complete their degree requirements.

Wildlife biology programs may focus on applied techniques in habitat analysis and conservation. Given that Zoologists must conduct complex data analysis, students should also take courses in statistics. Knowledge of computers is important because Zoologists frequently use advanced computer software, such as geographic information systems.

Zoologists typically need at least a master’s degree for higher-level investigative or scientific work. A PhD is necessary for the majority of independent and university research positions. Most doctorate-level researchers must be familiar with computer programming and statistical software.

Typically, Zoologists do not need a license or any obligatory certification to carry out their work. However, voluntary certification is often seen as evidence of an individual’s drive and motivation, giving them a leg up for raises and promotions.

Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.

Opportunities for progression can generally be more structured in larger organizations. As a Zoologist in a university setting, you could expect to start as a research student while completing your PhD and then progress to a postdoctoral research position. The next step would take you to become a Senior Researcher or Lecturer, and possibly a Professor.

Experience and higher education earn Zoologists greater responsibility and independence in their work. Zoologists with a PhD usually lead independent research and control the direction and content of projects. However, they may be responsible for sourcing much of their own funding. In industry, you could progress towards roles such as Senior Researcher or onto more managerial roles.

Opportunities may be less structured in smaller organizations, and you may need to travel or change roles to progress. Entry-level roles may be that of Zoological Assistant or Field Assistant; with experience, you could progress to more senior roles, which may involve managing a team. More senior roles are less hands-on, typically requiring less fieldwork and focusing more on the organization and people management. You could specialize in a particular area. With experience, you could also move into consultancy.

Zoologists may face intense competition when looking for employment. Applicants with practical work experience should have better chances of finding jobs.

You may need to take the initiative, demonstrating your willingness to tackle diverse opportunities and assume greater responsibilities. You can gain additional skills through training courses funded by your employer. Your employer may suggest these, or you may need to seek out your own opportunities.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is the holistic commitment of Zoologists towards enhancing personal skills and proficiency throughout their active careers. Some professional bodies or institutes offer training opportunities, conferences, and events. There are specific societies for specialist areas of zoology, which have their own training and events.

Mentoring from a more experienced professional may be something you can arrange through your workplace. Free downloadable courses are available in statistical computing & graphics) and geographical information systems.

You may specialize in a particular area of zoology and increase your skills and knowledge by completing a postgraduate qualification, such as an MSc or a PhD. You may be able to do these on a part-time basis or through distance learning.

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists

Although the roles and abilities of Zoologists and wildlife biologists often overlap, Zoologists typically conduct scientific investigations and basic research on particular types of animals, such as birds or amphibians. In contrast, wildlife biologists are more likely to study specific ecosystems or animal populations, such as a particular at-risk species.

Specialization

Zoologists generally specialize first in either vertebrates or invertebrates and then in specific species. They may be Cetologists who study marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins, Ichthyologists who study wild fish, such as sharks and lungfish, or Teuthologists who study cephalopods such as octopuses and cuttlefish.

They may be Entomologists who are experts on insects, such as beetles and butterflies, or Herpetologists who study reptiles and amphibians, such as snakes and frogs. Malacologists study mollusks, such as snails and clams, while Mammalogists possess expertise on mammals, such as monkeys and bears. Ornithologists study birds, such as hawks and penguins.

Different Aspects of Zoology

Other Zoologists are identified by the different aspects of their chosen field, such as evolution and animal behavior. Anatomy studies the structure of organisms and their parts. Embryology is the study of the development of embryos and fetuses. Ethology, sometimes called behavioral ecology, explores animal behaviors as natural or adaptive traits. Histology, or microscopic anatomy, is the study of cells and tissues in plants and animals.

Physiology is the study of the normal function of living systems. Soil zoology is the study of animals that live wholly or partially in the soil. Teratology is the study of abnormal physiological development, while zoography is the study of descriptive zoology and describes plants and animals.

Research

Many Zoologists opt for a career pathway that involves hands-on work, traveling, and monitoring animals in their natural habitats to understand the environment and how everything affects lifestyle. Research provides an understanding of different animal lifestyles and behavior and how humans coexist with and alter the environment.

The Elysia chlorotica, a North American sea slug, sucks chlorophyll from algae and combines it with sunlight to create food inside its own body when food from traditional sources is scarce.

We evolved from animals. Whether homo sapiens is just another species of animal or a qualitative step forward in evolution is a philosophical issue, but given the reality that humans regularly interact with animals of all shapes and sizes, developing a deeper understanding of animals and animal behavior will be of benefit in improving our lives.

Zoologists allow us to understand nature for what it is - not random chaos, but unique life forms that interact with another in amazing ways. They make it clear why preserving and balancing nature is critical to human survival. They help us realize why balancing economic growth with the conservation of animals and their habitat is crucial.

The whole of life is coming to terms with yourself and the natural world. Why are you here? How do you fit in? What’s it all about?