Closing Date: 20/09/2026
Location/Division: BZP
Staff Veterinarian
Salary: £42,503
Contracted Hours: 37.5
Location: Bristol Zoo Project
Contract Type: Permanent
Bristol Zoological Society, the conservation and education charity that runs and operates Bristol Zoo Project (previously Wild Place Project), higher education programmes and conservation projects across the world, is recruiting a staff veterinarian. This is an exciting opportunity to join the veterinary team.
If you would like the advert in an alternative format, or would like to talk about how we can adjust the interview process to best support you, please contact [email protected]
We are committed to employing from all areas of the community, we value equality and diversity across our workforce and aim to ensure our staff is reflective of the diversity of the community. In support of this commitment, we welcome applications from the Global Majority.
We are looking to recruit a motivated and enthusiastic veterinarian with experience of exotic pet and zoo or wildlife species to join our veterinary team in providing care for our animals in line with best practice in zoological medicine.
This is a broad veterinary role which combines teaching and clinical work with an emphasis on preventative medicine. The role includes teaching exotic pet, zoo and wildlife medicine to veterinary students, including delivering lectures, day to day veterinary care of our animal collection and working closely with keepers to maintain the highest standards of welfare, nutrition and husbandry.
For this role, clinical experience with exotic pets and either zoo animals or wildlife is essential, along with enthusiasm for and some experience of teaching veterinary students. Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills are required and an interest in gaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice is preferred. An interest in zoo animal nutrition would also be beneficial. Applicants must enjoy working in a collaborative environment, must be Members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and hold a valid driving licence.
With a strategy in place to create a world-class Bristol Zoo with conservation and sustainability at its heart, the new Bristol Zoo Project offers spacious, modern facilities, significant growth in our conservation and education work, and an innovative and exciting visitor experience.
The role will help to realise our vision of saving wildlife together, and you will be involved in supporting our transformation programme – driving visitor numbers at Bristol Zoo Project as plans for the Zoo progress. We know that everyone here at the Society can help us work alongside our communities, look after the environment, and contribute to our inclusive culture.
As a Disability Confident Employer if you identify yourself as disabled under the Equality Act 2010 definition and can demonstrate that you meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification, we will guarantee an interview.
Your work-life balance is important to us, and we’re happy to support flexible working – be that through your working pattern, or hybrid working for certain roles.We support a flexible approach to work, provided you connect with the rest of your team and are able to deliver the responsibilities of your role.
Benefits include:
- 30 days of annual leave (Pro-rated, inclusive of bank hols) increasing with length of service with an option to buy up to 5 days’ additional holiday
- Access to our company pension scheme
- Enhanced family leave – supporting you with the important milestones in your life with enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Access to a range of resources to support your physical, mental and financial health, including access to our Employee Assistance Programme
- Death in service benefit (x3 salary)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans supporting you to spread the cost of environmentally friendly transport options.
- Other flexible benefits including access to a health cash plan to help you with everyday healthcare costs
- Access to a great range of discounts from hundreds of retailers to help make your money go further including gym discounts
- Hybrid working for certain roles, to allow you to work where you work best - we’re happy to discuss flexible working options for all roles.
- Option for Lifestyle Break after one years’ service
- Ongoing training and development opportunities, allowing you to reach your full potential
To apply for this role please sign into our recruitment portal and upload your CV and cover letter explaining how you meet the essential and desirable criteria detailed in the person specification in the job description.
The closing date for applications is 20th September 2026. Interviews will be held on 23rd – 24th September.
To assist your preparation if you are invited to an interview, we ask questions based on our behaviour competencies described in the job description and look for evidence of how you demonstrate these behaviours.
Please note: We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Diversity Statement
Our vision for the Society to be an employer of choice, that is inclusive and attracts and retains the most talented people, who all work together to sustain our future. As such we welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our employee lifecycle processes, including recruitment, are designed to prevent discrimination against our people regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, disability status, race, or any other aspect which makes them unique.
