2 wildlife research internships at Denver Zoo (USA)

Denver Zoo’s Department of Conservation and Research has a growing human dimensions of wildlife research program focused on documenting the social contexts for plains bison (Bison bison) conservation and reintroduction across the Rocky Mountain West. We seek highly qualified and motivated graduate students in conservation social science-related fields to apply for the following two internships:

Internship #1: American Icons in a Metropolitan Grassland – Understanding People, Place and Bison Conservation in Denver, CO
This internship advances the mission of Denver Zoo by assisting with a research study that examines the social meanings of and visitor experiences with bison conservation in metro Denver, Colorado. Using survey and interview research, the study will examine metro Denverites’ knowledge about, attitudes towards and experiences with bison conservation generally, and with three of metro-Denver’s conservation bison herds specifically. The research intern will work 20 hour per week to conduct structured visitor intercept interviews in the field, and, as time permits, assist with public opinion survey design. The internship dates are June 15 – October 16, 2015 (final dates based on hire availability).

Internship #2: Creating Sustainable Futures for People, Animals and the Environment - The Human Dimensions of Bison Reintroduction in Northern Colorado
This internship advances the mission of Denver Zoo by assisting with a collaborative and interdisciplinary One Health study funded by Colorado State University (CSU), which will document the effects of bison reintroduction in Northern Larimer County, Colorado on human, animal and ecological health. The research intern will work 20-30 hours per week at Soapstone Prairie Natural Area (near Fort Collins, CO) to collect data about the ways in which the planned bison reintroduction may affect the visitor experience, recreational use patterns and place attachment through visitor intercept interviews, trail monitor data collection and the distribution of handheld GPS units to track visitor trail use patterns. The internship dates are June 15 – October 16, 2015 (final dates based on hire availability).

Please apply through Denver Zoo’s job portal at: http://www.denverzoo.org/jobs-internships

Closing Date for both internships: May 22, 2015