Available Research Internships

The Dallas Zoo offers summer research internships for college student volunteers to assist the researchers with on-going research projects.  Please contact the research group at dallaszooresearch@dallaszooed.com for more information or an application.

All internships require a minimum commitment of 200 hours over a period of at least 12 weeks.  More hours are preferred.  The internship runs from May through August.

Interns have the opportunity to learn behavioral data collection and analysis, sample processing, and other techniques related to zoological research.  All interns are expected to present the results of their projects in both oral and written form at the end of the internship.  In addition to their research, interns participate in a weekly seminar on a broad array of subjects.  All interns receive an evaluation and letter of reference upon successful completion of an internship.  Arrangements can be made for interns to earn college credit. 

There are several types of internships, depending on the interests and experience of the applicant. 

Introductory Research Internship
Goal: learn research techniques by assisting the researchers with on-going research projects. 
Primary Duties: data collection, sample processing, data entry, and introductory data analysis. 
Eligibility: students must have had at least one year of introductory biology courses. 

Advanced Research Internship
Goal: learn research analysis and presentation techniques by helping complete a specific project under the guidance of the researchers. 
Primary Duties: data collection, data analysis, scientific writing and presentation. 
Eligibility: students must have previous research experience equivalent to an introductory research internship and experience with Excel and data analysis techniques. 

Endocrinology Research Internship
Goal: assist in the endocrine lab, as well as helping with other ongoing data collections.
Primary Duties: sample processing, enzyme immunoassays, behavioral data collection
Eligibility: Students must have experience in a laboratory and at least one year of introductory biology courses. 
Additional Commitment:  the Endocrinology Internship requires a minimum commitment of at least 250 hours over at least 12 weeks.

Please e-mail volunteers@dalzoo.org or call 214-943-2771 x341 for more information.

If you don't find the opportunity for you in the choices above, call us to discuss your special skills and interests.