Definition: Zoologist Job Description

What are the missions of a zoologist? What training to follow to exercise this profession? What are his outlets and his salary? The answers are provided to you by this professional zoologist sheet.

Animal biologist profession

Specialist in animal species, their way of life and the functioning of their organism, discover the zoologist profession : mission, training, salary, opportunities, you will know everything.

What is a zoologist?

Also called animal biologist, the zoologist is above all a scientist who dedicates his career to the study of animals from their way of life to the functioning of their organism.

In the field or in the laboratory, he generally works on a particular species or area of ​​Zoology because he cannot study all animal species.

Thanks to his studies, the zoologist plays an essential role in the fight against animal extinction. It participates in projects to protect one or more species, possibly alerting public authorities to the danger of animal extinction.

Zoology encompasses all branches of the study of animals: physiology, developmental biology, ecology, ethology and even evolutionary biology.

Missions of the animal biologist

Like a true adventurer, his primary mission is to go out into the field to observe animals in a natural environment. Armed with his camera and his camera, he studies their behaviors, their way of life and their anatomy. The studies can also relate to dead animals.

As a scientist, he also works in the laboratory to observe anatomies, grow biological cultures, observe them under a microscope and use traditional biology methods. He thus tries to correlate the relationships between anatomy and animal behavior.

The zoologist regularly publishes the results of his research in specialized journals and can also teach.

In a zoological park or a museum, the zoologist has a role of informing the public.

Qualifications required to become an animal biologist

Patience

Patience is certainly the greatest quality that a zoologist needs. Indeed, to carry out his observations, he must sometimes remain hidden for hours in any weather. He therefore also needs a great sense of observation.

Good physical resistance

The zoologist often works outdoors and for long hours, which requires good endurance but also good resistance to temperature and bad weather. Field studies are often done in very uncomfortable conditions.

Rigor

The zoologist must also show great rigor. Indeed, it processes a lot of data and must not be mistaken in their interpretation. The many reports to write also require good writing skills.

Contact direction

The zoologist never works alone. He must therefore have good interpersonal skills and be a good teacher for those who teach.

How to become a zoologist?

Initial training

Studies for become a zoologist are long and require a minimum Doctorate.

The most common route taken to achieve this is through university, with a three-year science and technology license with a biology specialization, followed by a two-year research or professional master’s degree in life sciences.

To be able to do research, he must prepare a doctorate in three years at the end of his master’s degree.

For those who work in public laboratories and have the title of research engineer or researcher, a competition is to be taken.

Other avenues are however possible, such as a veterinary school or an engineering school specializing in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology or agronomy.

Continuing education

The profession of zoologist is also accessible through continuing education for adults. Several courses and improvements are possible.

Salary of an animal biologist

In the public service, the salary varies according to grade, step and seniority. To this remuneration are added various allowances and bonuses.

A researcher will receive between $ 1,600 to $ 3,200 net.

A lecturer will receive between $ 1,700 to $ 3,700 net.

A museum director or curator will receive between $ 1,500 and $ 3,700 net.

In the private sector, remuneration depends very much on the position held and the employing organization.

Opportunities and evolutions of the zoologist

The zoologist generally works with private or public research organizations (Inra, IRD, etc.). In public research, the number of places is limited each year. Finally, he can become a curator or museum director.

Some positions are also to be taken, but in a more restricted way, in zoos and natural parks. The zoologist can also teach at the university.

In a laboratory, after a few years of experience, he can take on responsibilities and lead a team of researchers.