Are you interested in academic zoology jobs? There is a wide range of teaching and research opportunities available in this popular discipline.
Here we take a look at what it’s like to work as a zoology lecturer in a university, the routes into this career and where to find jobs.
What is Zoology?
Despite the name, zoology does not refer to zoos. Zoology is the scientific study of animal physiology, distribution and evolution, at the molecular level to whole ecologies. Modern zoology is increasingly focused on the impact of environmental and ecological change on animals and how we can conserve the Earth’s estimated 8.7 million animal species.
Zoologists are scientists who have a breadth of interdisciplinary knowledge of animal biology. They carry out laboratory and fieldwork in higher education as lecturers and researchers and in sectors such as agriculture, conservation and pharmaceuticals. They may also work for government departments, NGOs (such as the World Wildlife Fund) and other charitable/conservation organisations.
Zoology Lecturer Jobs
Depending on the type of job, zoology lecturers teach undergraduate and postgraduate students and conduct research either across the breadth of zoology and life sciences or through more specialised modules according to their zoological specialism.
Duties include:
- Delivery of lectures, tutorials and laboratory classes to students at all levels.
- Contributing to the design, content and delivery of specialist modules according to specialism.
- Contributing to existing research activities in an area of zoology.
- Pursuing a personal research programme consistent with the institution’s research priorities.
- Applying for and managing grant funding.
- Conducting fieldwork research internationally and managing student placements in the field.
- Contributing to peer-reviewed journals and publications.
How to become a Zoology Lecturer
Zoology is a broad discipline and academics working in the field come from a wide range of backgrounds in biological, animal, bio-veterinary and environmental sciences.
Essential qualifications
- A BSc/MSc degree in zoology, animal sciences, environmental biology or related discipline.
- A PhD in zoology or related area (or soon-to-be-completed).
- A higher education teaching qualification and/or fellowship of Advance HE (formerly the HEA), or a willingness to complete.
Experience and knowledge
The research and teaching experience you need depends on the role offered. The employer might be looking for a candidate with experience in the broad area of zoology. Alternatively, they may be seeking someone with expertise in a specific area which aligns with the institution’s current research interests/activities.
Most candidates will be expected to have some postdoctoral research and zoological fieldwork experience and the beginnings of a demonstrable publication record.
Prior experience of teaching in higher education and an in-depth understanding of zoology curricula, whether gained during your PhD or after, would be a must.
What’s the pay?
A zoology lecturer can expect a starting salary in the range of £36,099 to £41,578 p.a., depending on qualifications and research/teaching record.
What can it lead to?
On completion of several years as a zoology lecturer, you could be promoted to senior lecturer or associate professor. Promotion depends on your research contributions and record and ability to inspire students with innovative and effective teaching. Alternatively, you could pursue senior research roles in related organisations and companies outside of academia.
As you become more experienced in academic research, you may also be able to apply for consultancy/advisory roles.
Where can I find jobs?
Zoology degrees are a popular choice among students at all levels, and it is an area offered by most higher education institutions worldwide. Therefore, universities are keen to hire high-quality candidates to meet the demand for their taught programmes.
As environmental change and damage become more urgent, experienced zoological scientists and conservation experts are increasingly sought after in a wide range of organisations both inside and outside academia.
The best place to start your zoology job search is here at jobs.ac.uk. We are a world-leading jobs board for academic, teaching, research and scientific jobs. Take a look at our current zoology jobs and get new roles straight to your inbox by signing up for a jobs-by-email alert.
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