Elephant Animal Care Internship

Apply at: https://nationalzoo.si.edu/careers/internships/elephant-animal-care-internship

The Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) offers Animal Care Internship opportunities designed to provide hands-on experience in animal management, animal behavior research, and animal welfare practices within a leading conservation organization. The selected intern will work alongside professional animal care staff to support the daily care and management of our Asian elephants. Interns may assist with activities such as behavioral observations, enrichment development, exhibit monitoring, diet preparation, habitat maintenance, and participation in animal training sessions. 

Interns may also contribute to applied research or welfare-focused projects that inform animal management decisions and support NZCBI’s mission to save species through science, conservation, and public engagement. These projects may include behavioral data collection, enrichment design and evaluation, or studies examining how exhibit environments and visitor experience may influence animal behavior. Throughout the internship, participants will gain exposure to the complex nature of our operations - integrating animal care, research, conservation science, and public education. Interns will work under the supervision of experienced animal care professionals and may have opportunities to present project findings or recommendations to staff. 

Learning Objectives: 

Through this internship, participants may: 

• Learn basic principles of zoological animal husbandry, including diet preparation, exhibit maintenance, and routine animal care. 

• Observe and identify animal behaviors and develop skills in systematic behavioral data collection. 

• Gain familiarity with research methodology used in zoological settings, including study design, data collection, and basic data analysis. 

• Assist with the design, preparation, and evaluation of environmental enrichment that promotes species-specific behaviors and animal welfare. 

• Learn and follow animal care safety procedures, operational protocols, and institutional policies. 

• Develop an understanding of how animal management decisions support conservation, research, and animal welfare goals. 

• Participate in discussions with animal care staff about husbandry practices, enrichment strategies, and behavioral observations. 

• Gain experience balancing animal management responsibilities with research or observation activities in a public zoo environment. 

• Develop communication skills by sharing observations or project outcomes with staff and, where appropriate, participating in educational or interpretive activities for visitors. 

Experience Required

Qualifications Must be able to work both independently and in a team environment with staff, volunteers, and other interns. Strong communication and public speaking skills. Ability to stand, stoop, climb, and lift up to 50 pounds. Flexibility and a good sense of humor. Must be willing to commit to a regular schedule, including potential weekends and holidays. Upon acceptance and one month prior to arriving for work, the intern will be required to provide documentation for a current negative TB test and tetanus shot. The intern must also pass a background check prior to their start date.

Further Comments

Stipend:  This is a paid, part-time internship ($350/week for 16 weeks). Intern will be responsible for all transportation costs and personal health insurance. Location:  Washington, DC Housing:  The intern will make their own housing arrangements in the Washington, DC area. Parking:  The Smithsonian's National Zoo does not provide free parking to interns. Public transportation is suggested. Term of appointment:  Internship runs for 16 weeks between August-December 2026. Exact start and end dates to be determined upon selection. Interns must be able to devote 24 hours per week. Reasonable exceptions may be made to coordinate with university or work schedules. Please note: The deadline to apply for this fall internship is Sunday, July 26, 2026.

Post Doctoral Associate, Elephant Communication

Apply at: https://jobs.dayforcehcm.com/en-US/sdzwa/CANDIDATEPORTAL/jobs/25355

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is an international, nonprofit conservation organization with two front doors: the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. We integrate wildlife health and care, science, and education to develop sustainable conservation solutions.

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION
The Post-Doctoral Associate oversees research projects and performs a variety of assigned research and diagnostic activities, while completing post-doctoral training in a specialized area of scientific research. This position reports to Scientist level or higher in the Conservation Science & Wildlife Health department.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Oversee assigned research projects.

• Collect, process, and enters research data.

• Perform experiments and measurements.

• Interpret and analyze research results and revises procedures as necessary.

• Establish and maintain databases.

• Document research methodology and results.

• Prepare progress reports.

• Conduct and oversee investigations of study subjects.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

The Population Sustainability team at the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has an opening for a full-time, 3-year Postdoctoral Associate to apply machine learning (ML) expertise to investigate the meaning and structure of African savanna elephant vocalizations. The Associate will design and implement research working in close collaboration with Colorado State University (CSU), Save the Elephants, and the Wildlife Care teams at the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park in order to 1) explore individual and environmental variables influencing acoustic properties in elephant communication, 2) describe structural components encoding information and their behavioral context, and 3) explore how vocalizations may be used for applications in elephant conservation and welfare. The Associate will build a behaviorally and individually labelled dataset of elephant vocalizations from elephants at SDZWA using on-animal and array-based passive acoustic recording devices, and will have access to existing elephant vocalization datasets from wild elephants for analyses. Ideal candidate will have a PhD in computer science, ecology, or a related field with a focus in ML, with a preference for candidates with experience in applying ML to acoustic data to develop detection and classification models. Ideal candidates will have background in Python programming, linguistic analysis, or advanced work in animal communication, and possess in-depth knowledge about contemporary methods in machine learning. Ideal candidates will demonstrate a strong record of collaboration and research creativity and productivity. The position is co-advised within the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology at CSU and the Associate will spend time in both locations. The selected candidate will have opportunities to work with a diverse group of collaborators within SDZWA and CSU and with global partners, and will receive training in using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation for the planning and adaptive management of conservation projects.

JOB EXPERIENCE

• Position responsible for ensuring compliance with established guidelines.

EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Post Doctorate or Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine or equivalent specialized training required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• Specialization area preferred. (i.e. population biologist, demography, or genetics)

• Able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs

• Demonstrated ability to work with others in a diverse environment.

• Knowledge of science communication or interpretation of scientific concepts.

SOME OF THE REWARDS YOU WILL ENJOY AS A TEAM MEMBER

• Free admission to the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• Family Passes

• Complimentary Tickets

• Free Parking at the San Diego Zoo & San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• Local and In-House Discounts

• Employee Assistance Program

• Wellness Program

IMPORTANT DETAILS

• Location: Escondido, CA

• Position Type: Salaried Full-Time Exempt Three Year Post Doctoral Associate Position

• Salary Range: $87,264 to $98,172

About The Salary Ranges

The posted salary range represents the full compensation potential for this role over time. Initial hiring offers are typically made within the lower to mid portion of the range and are based on a combination of relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and organizational considerations. Placement near the top of the range is generally reserved for individuals who demonstrate sustained performance, growth, and expanded responsibilities in the role over time.

Fraudulent Recruiting
Beware of fraudulent recruiting. Legitimate San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance contacts will use an @sdzwa.org email address. We do not request money, checks, equipment orders, or sensitive personal data during the recruitment process. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance only conducts interviews via phone, Zoom, Teams or in-person.

If you have been asked for any of the above, or believe you have been contacted by someone posing as a San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance employee, please e-mail sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org.  If you feel that you have been the victim of fraud, please contact your financial institution(s) immediately. 

At San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, we celebrate our differences and foster a culture of belonging. Diversity strengthens our employees, enriches our guests’ experiences, deepens our connection to our community, and supports the wildlife we serve.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected status. 

If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, please email your request to sdzwacareers@sdzwa.org and provide the job title and location to which you are applying. 

As a Federal Contractor, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is required to participate in the E-Verify Program to confirm eligibility to work in the United States. We are not offering sponsorship for this position at this time.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a drug free workplace.