Conservation Science Summer Fellow - Plant Conservation

HOW YOU WILL IMPACT OUR MISSION

The 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.

• 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.

Plant Conservation researches the restoration and management of rare plant populations, both ex situ and in situ. This team is seeking two research Fellows, one to join the micropropagation and cryopreservation lab and one to join our Native Plant Gene Bank on seed banking, testing, and propagation. Independent projects are developed with mentors to meet program and conservation needs and aligned with the skill sets and interests of the selected applicants.

For the micropropagation project, we would introduce the Fellow to growing plants in controlled environments (i.e., in vitro) and adjusting that environment to produce certain tissue types. Their independent project would work on an aspect of micropropagation of a rare species to work towards developing material for cryopreservation or helping recover material post cryo‑freeze efficiently and effectively. The Native Plant Gene Bank Fellow will learn various aspects of seed banking from population research and identification in the field to germination testing of collected seed in the lab.

Their independent project would look at factors influencing the germination of rare plants and/or their propagation. In addition to independent projects, selected Fellows will round out their Fellowship with work on all facets of Plant Conservation programs. 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 Fellowship are 40 hours per week for 12 weeks. Applicant must submit Resume and Cover Letter.

• 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.

• 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.
• Familiar…