Careers in Zoology
We aim to produce graduates who are flexible and able to take up a diversity of careers in the biological and environmental sciences and beyond.
Like any qualification, a degree in Zoology does not guarantee employment. However, it provides an excellent academic background from which to pursue careers within the following areas:
- Government departments (such as the Department of Conservation)
- Crown Research Institutes (such as Landcare and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research)
- Regional and local authorities
- Medical and veterinary laboratories
- Wildlife and fisheries management agencies
- Education and academic research
- Environmental consulting
- Technology companies especially biotech companies which require bioscience, IT and communication skills
Many students progress to higher degrees in Zoology before seeking employment.
Jobs currently held by Otago's Department of Zoology Graduates (or advertised for Zoology graduates):
- Account Manager
- Adjudication Office, IRD
- Adult Education Teacher
- Agricultural Business Executive
- Animal Technician
- Aquaculture Scientist
- Assistant Expedition Leader, Marine Expeditions
- Award Administrator, Duke of Edinburgh Award NZ
- Biosecurity Officer
- Business Analyst
- Business Development Manager, Ovita Ltd.
- Cancer Research Technician
- Cardiology Technician
- Careers adviser
- Chandler
- Chief Adviser (insect pests)
- Chief Executive Officer, Education NZ
- Chief Executive, Canterbury Employers’ Chamber of Commerce
- Communications & Marketing Manager, Heritage Expeditions
- Conservation Officer, DoC
- Course coordinator, Marine Lab
- Curator Natural Sciences, Otago Museum
- Dean, Correspondence School
- Department Administrator, University of Otago
- Deputy Chief Executive, NIWA
- Diagnostics Laboratory, Dunedin Hospital
- Director Foundation for The Blind (Auckland)
- Director of Endodontics
- Director Research Development, NIWA
- Director, Fisheries Department (Vanuatu)
- Director, Science Alive
- Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist
- Ecologist, LandCare
- Ecotourism managers and guides
- Education Officer, Dunedin Botanic Gardens
- Educational development officer
- Electron Microscope Technician
- Engineer
- Entomologist, Department of Conservation
- Environmental consultant
- Environmental Education Adviser
- Environmental Officer, Solid Energy NZ Ltd.
- Environmental Scientist
- European Equity Sales
- Event Manager
- Farmer, Otago
- Fauna Ecologist, DoC
- Field technician, Landcare
- Financial Analyst
- Fisheries analyst
- Fisheries scientist
- Freelance Photographer
- Genetics research and teaching
- Hatchery Technician, Shellfish Culture NZ Ltd.
- Hazardous substances adviser
- Head of Publications and Communications Group, Welcome Trust
- Head Winemaker
- High school teacher
- Intellectual Property Searching
- Investment Manager, FRST
- IT Help Desk
- Laboratory Manager, wine company
- Laboratory Technician, Crop & Food Research
- Laboratory Technician, International Flavours and Fragrances
- Land Resources Officer
- Lecturer – Veterinary Nursing
- Lecturer in Anatomy
- Lecturer in Zoology
- Lecturer, Otago Polytechnic School of Nursing
- Librarian
- Management position, pharmaceutical industry
- Manager of a Dive Operation
- Manager, Coastal & Estuarine Group, Cawthron Institute
- Managing Director
- Managing Director, Earth Sea Sky Equipment Ltd.
- Managing Director, Protective Sport Apparel Ltd
- Marine Biologist/Environmentalist, NZ Underwater Assoc
- Marine Scientist, NIWA
- Marine studies tutor
- Marketing and Communications Executive
- Mediator
- Medical Doctor
- Medical researcher
- Museum curators and educators
- National Assessment Facilitator, NZQA
- Natural history film director
- Natural History Film Researcher
- New Zealand Embassy Bangkok
- Nurse/Manager Clinical Services
- Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, London
- Oil company, UK
- Operations and Environmental Welfare Coordinator (Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony)
- Optometrist
- Orthopaedic Specialist
- Outdoor Instructor, Outward Bound
- Parasitology technician
- Pharmaceutical sales rep
- Pharmaceutical/Export Manager
- Pilot/Captain
- Plastination Technician
- Policy Adviser, Ministry of Environment
- Policy Manager, Ministry of Fisheries
- Postdoctoral research fellow
- Practice Manager Law firm
- Primary Teacher
- Private Secretary for the Minister of Research, Science and Technology
- Production Technician, Ravensdown Fertilisers
- Project manager, Environment Southland
- Project Manager, SeaLord Ltd.
- Promotions Coordinator, Venture Southland Tourism
- Provincial Resource Assessment Specialist, Canada
- Quality Development Specialist, Telecom NZ Ltd.
- Ranger, DOC
- Reader, Clippings Bureau
- Recreation Planner, DOC
- Regional Manager, NIWA
- Registered Nurse
- Registered Nutritionist
- Regulatory Affairs Associate, Aventis Pharma Ltd.
- Research fellow – molecular biology
- Research Manager, Otago Innovation Ltd.
- Researcher, Portobello Marine Lab
- Resource Planner, Environment Southland
- Retail Manager, BP
- Science Communicator
- Scientific Coordinator, Banfield Marine Station
- Scientific Director, National Women's Hospital
- Scientific Officer, Dept Pathology
- Scientist, AgResearch
- Security Systems Wholesaler
- Senior Analyst, PHARMAC
- Senior Environmental Manager, De Beers Canada
- Senior Environmental Planner
- Senior Policy Analyst, Air Quality, Environ. Depart
- Senior Ranger, Dept Environ & Heritage, Australia
- Senior Research Technician, Physiology Dept.
- Senior Resource Management Planner
- Senior Tutor, Auckland
- Senior Water Quality Scientist
- Social Services Inspector
- Software Developer
- Solicitor
- Special projects officer national park
- Special Projects Officer, Pacific Rim National Park
- Specialist Anesthetist
- Staff Development Coordinator, Otago Polytechnic
- Student Services Trust Manager, Massey University
- Taxidermist
- Teacher
- Technical Adviser to ‘Project Ark”, DoC
- Technical Adviser, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Technical Manager, Dept Anatomy
- Television Producer, Auckland
- Viticulturist
- Water quality scientist
- Web Designer
- Wellington Zoo
- Wildlife Guide
- Wildlife Keeper Birdlife Park
- Zoo Keeper, Melbourne Zoo