San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a nonprofit international conservation leader, committed to inspiring a passion for nature and creating a world where all life thrives. Empowering people from around the globe to support our mission to conserve wildlife through innovation and partnerships, we support cutting-edge conservation, and bring the stories of our work back to our two world-famous front doors — the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park — giving millions of guests, in person and virtually, the opportunity to experience conservation in action. The deep and extensive knowledge gained from more than a century of experience in wildlife care, health, veterinary services, nutrition and conservation makes us invaluable in the global effort to save species. Our team members play a crucial role in driving our conservation efforts forward and bringing us closer to a world where all life thrives.
HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Conservation Science Summer Fellowship is a 12-week program in which undergraduate students work directly with a mentor from the Conservation Science team on a specific laboratory, field, and/or community-based project. During that time, the Fellow gains hands-on experience while completing their project under the supervision of a mentor and then presents their research findings to SDZWA staff, donors, and collaborators at the end of their 12-week Fellowship.
WHAT YOU WILL DO
- Perform a variety of laboratory, diagnostic, animal care, educational, and/or field duties.
- Collect, collate, maintain, process, and/or analyze records relevant to current project.
- Prepares reports and presentations to communicate research findings.
- Collect and record data utilizing spreadsheet and database systems.
- Prepare, arrange, and maintain data.
- Manages project timelines and ensures research objectives are met.
- Collaborates with team members and stakeholders to develop and implement conservation initiatives.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Recovery Ecology focuses on large-scale conservation programs that assist in the recovery of threatened and endangered populations. This team applies scientifically acquired behavioral and ecological knowledge to solve conservation problems. Their conservation toolbox includes developing and testing conservation breeding techniques, reintroduction and translocation strategies, and monitoring and management in species recovery programs.
One fellow with an interest in animal behavior will have the opportunity to work with photo/video data on endangered Hawaiian birds. We oversee a conservation breeding program for several endangered Hawaiian bird species, and the fellow's project would help with research intended to improve breeding success, birds' preparedness for the wild, and post-release survival.
Our Conservation Science Summer Fellowship is a 12-week program where undergraduate students work directly with a mentor from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Conservation Science team on a specific laboratory, field, and/or community-based project. During that time, the Fellow gains hands-on experience while completing a project and then presents their research findings to SDZWA staff, donors, and collaborators at the end of their Fellowship.
Fellowships are based at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, unless otherwise stated. Applications for the 2025 Conservation Science Summer Fellowships can be submitted until February 15, 2025.
Applicants can only apply for one team, not multiple teams. Current undergraduate students must be officially associated with a college or university to be eligible for the Fellowship program. Undergraduates who are currently enrolled in college meet this criterion, as well as graduating seniors who are continuing their education in the fall following their graduation. Recent graduates who are not continuing their education in the fall of the same year are not eligible to apply.
Summer 2025 Conservation Science Summer Fellowships available dates: Monday, May 19, to Friday, August 8 or Monday, June 23, to Friday, September 12. Fellowships are 40 hours per week for 12 weeks.