HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSIONThe Conservation Science Summer Fellowship is a 12-week program in which undergraduate students work directly with a mentor from the Conservation Science team on a specific laboratory, field, and/or community-based project. During that time, the Fellow gains hands-on experience while completing their project under the supervision of a mentor and then presents their research findings to SDZWA staff, donors, and collaborators at the end of their 12-week Fellowship.WHAT YOU WILL DO
Perform a variety of laboratory, diagnostic, animal care, educational, and/or field duties.
Collect, collate, maintain, process, and/or analyze records relevant to current project.
Prepares reports and presentations to communicate research findings.
Collect and record data utilizing spreadsheet and database systems.
Prepare, arrange, and maintain data.
Manages project timelines and ensures research objectives are met.
Collaborates with team members and stakeholders to develop and implement conservation initiatives.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
Population Sustainability uses an interdisciplinary approach, with a focus on innovative technologies and ecology, to assess and address challenges to the persistence of threatened species. The team is seeking two fellows with backgrounds in computer science, software engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field (or with related experience) to work in our Conservation Technology Lab, one for each of the following two projects: • One fellow with interest and capabilities in computer vision and/or machine learning. The fellow will work on software systems for processing image and/or video data from field camera systems deployed in a variety of ecosystems globally to automatically produce derived data about the species and individuals present in the imagery and/or their behavior. • One fellow with an interest and capabilities in programming embedded systems, particularly in contexts where power is limited. Interest in machine learning inference on constrained devices (e.g. TinyML) and/or low-power radio communication (e.g. LoRa) is a plus. The fellow will work on projects where image and/or sound data is processed directly on field equipment so that small reports can be transmitted over low-bandwidth connections and/or the equipment can respond autonomously. Fellowships are based at the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Center for Conservation Research adjacent to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, California, unless otherwise stated. Applications for the 2026 Conservation Science Summer Fellowships can be submitted until February 15, 2026. Applicants should specify which CS team’s Fellowship they are applying to. Applicants can only apply for one Fellowship to one CS team, not multiple teams. If applicants apply to multiple CS teams, the first application submitted will be the only one considered. Summer 2026 Conservation Science Summer Fellowships: • Monday, May 18, to Friday, August 7 • Monday, June 22, to Friday, September 11 Fellowships are 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Applicant must submit Resume and Cover Letter.
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS
Current undergraduate students must be officially associated with a college or university to be eligible for the Fellowship program. Undergraduates who are currently enrolled in college meet this criterion, as do graduating seniors who are continuing their education in the fall following graduation. Recent graduates who are not continuing their education in the fall of the same year are not eligible to apply.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Previous experience in conservation research or community engagement is preferred.
Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
Strong analytical skills to conduct research and analyze data.
Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
Able to operate moderately complex computer software programs
Able to work effectively with others in a diverse environment and with diverse populations
Able to learn and perform data and sample gathering techniques
Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods
Familiarity with conservation issues and strategies.
IMPORTANT DETAILS
Location: Escondido, CA
Position Type: Full-Time, 12-Week Fellowship
Stipend Pay: $8,520
