12-Month Research Placement

Colchester Zoological Society

Colchester Zoological Society (CZS) is home to over 150 species and through visitor funds we promote care for the environment through education and leading by example. We also work at increasing public understanding of welfare and conservation, whilst actively working to provide the best possible care for our animals. We are continually developing our role as a centre for research and support in in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes alongside being active members of BIAZA and EAZA.

About the Placement

Expected duties include, but are not limited to:

• Help ensure the availability of data for the completion of welfare assessments.
• Assist keepers in the collection and interpretation of data.
• Gather evidence for use in the Integrated Behaviour Husbandry framework.
• Opportunity to lead a research project investigating the zoo visitors and the value of conservation messaging.

The 12-month placement also has a formal learning programme to allow you to expand your knowledge and gain an insight aiding in building practical wisdom, as well as developing professional skills.

Topics introduced include Nutrition, Welfare, Ethics, Enclosure Design, Business and many more.

Research Placement Requirements

• 18 years old or older.
• Enrolled on, or have completed, an accredited undergraduate animal/conservation-based degree.
• Some limited research experience.
• Able to attend full-time, 5 days, on placement per week which may include weekends.

Additional Information

All of our work-based learning placements follow zoo operational hours of 40 hours per week, with placements taking place for 5 days out of 7 on a rotational basis, including weekends.

All our placements are unpaid voluntary roles, and no accommodation is provided.

Placements are only granted following application and a successful selection assessment.

The group selection assessment days will take place on the 9th and 10th of May. Invited applicants will attend one group selection assessment; after which, successful applicants will be invited to the trial days, which will take place between the 16th of May and the 12th of June 2026.