How to Become a Zoologist

About Zoologist

Zoologist is an exciting career for a candidate who has studied zoology or equivalent subject. A zoologist is a professional who studies about a variety of animal species, their behaviour, characteristics and evolution. They are responsible to improve the quality of life of the animal kingdom, preserve, and protect them from any kind of threat.  

A zoologist has a wide range of job roles to choose and can work in different sectors according to their area of interest and skills. They also conduct research and experiments in coordination with scientists in laboratories and research centres in various aspects associated with animals.

If zoologist as a career excites you, then check details like educational qualification, jobs roles, employment opportunities and pay scale of a zoologist here.

Eligibility to become Zoologist

There is a certain criterion that a candidate must meet to become a zoologist. The general eligibility criterion to become a zoologist is as follows: -

• The candidate must hold a bachelor’s degree/ master’s degree/ PhD in Zoology, animal ecology, animal science or equivalent field.
• Candidates with some years of experience in the relevant field are usually considered for the Zoologist job role.
• The candidate must have good knowledge of science, must be an active learner, and should have good communication skills
• He/ She must be physically fit, ready to face challenges, able to solve critical problems and should be willing to relocate owing to the needs of the profession.
• The candidate must have an interest in studying animal life, its characteristics and ability to deal with a variety of animal species like wild animals, marine animals, reptiles, insects etc. 

How and When to Start?

If a career as Zoologist excited you then there are certain things, which you must follow. Check all the details below -

• The first thing you need to do is get a bachelor's degree in zoology or equivalent course. Some colleges offer undergraduate degrees in zoology while others may offer a similar course like wildlife science, Animal science etc. Any of these degrees in hand is the first step to get you a job role as a zoologist.
• Check whether admission in a particular college is done on the basis of entrance examination or merit basis. Top universities in India AMU, BHU conducts national level UG entrance exams for admission in zoology courses. Other private institutions either conduct their own entrance test or consider admission on merit basis.
• Getting a decent job after graduation may be difficult if you do not have any experience or project/ internship to show. While you pursue your bachelor’s degree ensure to enhance your skills in spare time, try to work on projects and join internship programmes which will be an add- on in your CV.
• With a bachelor's degree in zoology, you can apply for a job role as a zoologist. However, a master’s degree will help you get a better pay scale, study some specialized courses and an opportunity to study from top colleges in India or abroad. It is also a good option for those you want to go for research work in future.
• If you further want to do independent research work and study then you can opt for a PhD degree in zoology or equivalent discipline.
• After getting the required degree, you can explore the specific field of zoology that interests you and decide which sector you wish to work in. It includes wildlife, forest department, marine department, education sector etc. It will help you apply for job roles according to your area of interest.
• Now, check for various job openings for candidates with a degree in zoology, pay scale, location of work and job responsibilities for the post you are applying for.

Types of Job Roles Zoologist

A zoologist can choose from a list of job roles as a profession. Some of these are listed below:

Animal Control Officer

An animal control officer is responsible to keep a check on threat and danger to animals and investigate cases that involve animal cruelty. They make sure that the laws, rules and regulations defined for animals in a region are maintained.

They rescue trapped animals and care for stray animals. They interact with the public to spread awareness about the protection of animals.

Animal Biologist

An animal biologist studies animal physiology and analyses types of diseases associated with a particular type of animal and effect of climatic conditions on them. They are responsible to conduct experiments, collect data and suggest solutions.

An Animal Biologist works with a team of scientists and researchers in laboratories or research centres.

Animal Scientist

An animal scientist is a person who conducts research and experiment related to the quality of animal life, animal nutrition and chemical and biological processes in the animal body.

 A candidate with a master’s degree in zoology or PhD is usually considered for the job as an animal scientist. He/ She work in the Research and Development sector and uses their knowledge and skills to carry experiments associated with the animal kingdom.

Entomologists

Many zoologists study about specific species and one such job role is the study of insects. Professionals who study insects and its characteristics are called Entomologists. They are responsible for conducting experiments and understand the chemical and physiological compositions of insects.

They analyze the importance of varied species of insects in experiments and their applications in industry for the production of certain products and goods.

Marine biologists

Marine biologists involve the study of animals that exists within the ocean. A professional as a marine biologist is responsible to study marine animal life and their characteristics. They conduct experiments and research in laboratories to explore micro and microorganisms. The purpose is to protect and manage marine animals and the effects of the environment on marine species.

Employment Sector or Industry for Zoologist

Zoologist is needed in various sectors. Some of the sectors where a zoologist can find employment are as follows:

• Forest Department
• Marine industry
• Education Sector
• Veterinary product Manufacturing Industry
• Research and Development (R&D)

Top Recruiting Companies/ Agencies/ Organizations

Top research organization and government sector in India hires zoologists for various job roles. Some of the top recruiters are listed below:

• Ministry of Environment and Forests
• Forest Department of State
• Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI)
• Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute (CIFRI)
• Zoological Survey Of India (ZSI)
•  Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER)

Pay Scale/Salary of Zoologist

The pay scale of a zoologist depends on various factors like the educational qualification, years of work experience and type of job role. The minimum average salary of a zoologist is Rs. 4.00 Lakhs per Annum.

For detailed pay scale, you can check the table given below: -

Books & Study Material to Become Zoologist

Here is the list of popular books for candidates who want to make a career as a zoologist:

• Animal Behavior by Reena Mathur
• Vertebrates Zoology by R.L Kotpal
• Invertebrates Zoology by R.L Kotpal
• Genetics by Vir Bhala Rastogi
• Animal Physiology by H.R. Singh
• Ecology and Environment by P.D. Sharma

Pros of becoming a Zoologist

Every career comes up with certain advantages as well as disadvantages and so is the case with a  career as a zoologist. Some of the advantages of the job role as a Zoologist are given below:

• Zoologists can work in the research department and develop vaccines and medicine to improve the quality of life of the animal kingdom.
• Zoologists have an option to choose from a variety of job roles as it is a broad career option. They can work in the forest department, the marine department, research work, wildlife, education department etc.
• Zoologist is adventurous career. A zoologist gets a chance to travel, explore the rich diversity of the animal kingdom and work in an exciting workplace. It is a good career option for those who have a zeal to explore biodiversity and ready to accept challenges.
• Completion in this field is less as the number of candidates applying for zoologist job roles is less.
• Candidates with higher education in zoology and work experience can expect a decent pay scale. 

Cons of becoming a Zoologist

Here are some of the limitations of a career as a Zoologist:

• A zoologist who works in wildlife habitat, zoos or wildlife sanctuaries sometimes will have to face dangerous situations like the encounter with wild animals, risk of falling ill and adverse climatic conditions.
• The working hours and schedule of a zoologist may be unpredictable and they may sometimes have to work overnight.
• A zoologist is expected to be in a fieldwork job and the change of relocation is high at regular intervals.
• The job role is challenging and often requires candidates to have strong decision-making abilities according to the situation.