CAREERS AT CHESTER ZOO

Field Conservation Industry Placement

Job reference:001573

Salary:Unpaid Placement

Closing date:30/01/2026

Department:Field Programmes

Location:Chester

Employment type:Temporary

Hours Per Week:40

Job Description

Field Conservation Industry Placement – Full-time industrial placement commencing September 2026.
Are you excited by the prospect of gaining invaluable work experience with one of Europe’s leading Zoological collections?

This placement will provide experience within our 'Field Programme’ and ‘Policy’ Departments at Chester Zoo, which facilitate, coordinate and develop global field conservation projects, with a placement focus on field conservation projects and deforestation free commodities.

What you’ll be doing…
• Assisting with the day-to-day coordination of our Field Projects and our Sustainable Palm Oil Campaign projects
• Provide support across Chester Zoos international and UK conservation work and assist on our Sustainable Palm Oil Campaign projects.
• Experience collecting, handling and processing field data, including camera trap data, survey data and analysis
• Assisting with the research and processing of data for the PalmOil Scan app
• Assisting with reporting project outcomes, writing summary articles and documents for a range of stakeholders, potentially including the opportunity to be part of peer-reviewed publications
• Opportunity to contribute to partnership activities, such as IUCN SSC Specialist Groups, policy partners from certification bodies to industry stakeholders, and local community partners

The Work Placement
• The year in industry placement is for a period of up to 12 months commencing in September 2026
• Full Training with the Conservation & Science Teams
• Uniform provided, along with lunch vouchers for the days you attend
• Monthly stipends of up to £120 per month may be payable based on appropriate expenses
• Full Time Hours, alternatives can be discussed if you are successfully shortlisted

Our Requirements
• A passion for in-situ biodiversity conservation, demonstrated through previous work experience and related study
• Highly organised and proactive in your approach to work
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team
• A diligent and meticulous approach to data handling
• A desire to learn how science can be used to help support and inform best practice in field conservation projects
• Experience of using Microsoft Office software such as Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook, and ideally statistical and GIS software.

This opportunity is only available to those studying at a UK university on a degree programme with an industrial year.
This is a full-time voluntary position for a minimum of 9 months, commencing September 2026.

This role is a desk-based placement at Chester Zoo with no overseas travel. There may be an opportunity for a hybrid working from home arrangement.
Although no direct zoo animal contact takes place in this role, you will attend monthly workshops to gain wider knowledge of modern zoo management.

We are committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation and encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Interested in applying?
To apply for this opportunity, click the ‘apply for job’ button on this page where you’ll need to submit a CV and covering letter detailing your qualifications, interest in the position and your university and degree programme
As part of your application, we would also like you to create a short, 2-minute video answering 2 questions. Further details on this will be included within the application form.

Do you want to find out more about these placements? Speak to our experts? Register for our Zoom webinar on 13/1/26 at 5pm!
Register in advance for this meeting:https://chesterzoo-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/2jnUMKa4SeqvybRhQv56Kg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.