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Zoologist

Study animals, their habits and the places they live. Ready to create a greener world for wildlife?

Also known as: wildlife expert, parasitologist, paleozoologist, ornithologist, herpetologist, entomologist, ecologist, wildlife biologist

About the job

Salary (before tax)

Entry

£23,000

Arrow

Experienced

£48,000

In this job, new workers in Scotland start around £23,000 per year. Experienced workers can earn up to £48,000.

What it's like

You would study animals, their habits and the places they live. You could use your skills to:

  • study animals in the wild or in a zoo or laboratory 

  • assess the overall health of ecosystems by studying animals and their habitats  

  • use manual and computerised methods to look at cells, fertilise eggs and more 

  • write technical reports 

  • give presentations and publish information in journals and books 

  • develop strategies to help protect endangered animals 

  • restore damaged ecosystems, such as wetlands, forests or coral reefs  

  • study how climate change affects animal behaviour, migration patterns and reproduction  

  • educate the public about the importance of biodiversity and the need for sustainable practices 

You could become an expert in one area, for example reptiles, insects, fossils, or the environment.

Green job  

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs. 

Hours

In industry, research and higher education you would usually work regular hours from Monday to Friday. As a field researcher you would work variable hours. For example you would need to work at night if you are studying nocturnal animals. If you work in conservation you may have to work evenings, weekends and public holidays, for example to attend evening meetings, supervise volunteers or host public open days.

Environment

You could work indoors in a lab or office, or outdoors researching the behaviour of animals in the wild.

Travel

Some research posts and jobs may require living overseas for periods of time.

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