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Animal Science Intern Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

... Intern to join our Site Manufacturing Science and Technology (MSAT) department located at our St ... The candidate will gain exposure and knowledge about the manufacturing processes for animal health.

Animal Science Intern information

See Michigan salary details

$8

$20

$35

How much do animal science intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal science intern in Michigan is $20.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.30 and $21.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Animal Science Intern do?

An Animal Science Intern assists with research, animal care, and data collection in various settings such as farms, laboratories, or veterinary clinics. Their duties may include feeding and monitoring animals, maintaining records, and helping with experiments or studies related to animal health and behavior. This hands-on experience helps interns apply classroom knowledge to real-world situations and prepares them for careers in animal science or related fields.

What is the difference between Animal Science Intern vs Animal Technician?

AspectAnimal Science InternAnimal Technician
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate of animal science or related degreeHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certification
Work EnvironmentResearch facilities, farms, or labs; learning-focusedAnimal care facilities, farms, laboratories; hands-on work
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutions, agricultural companiesVeterinary clinics, farms, animal shelters
Common Search & Comparison IntentEntry-level, learning roles in animal sciencePractical animal care and management roles

The main difference is that Animal Science Interns are typically students or recent graduates gaining experience in research or academic settings, while Animal Technicians are more hands-on professionals responsible for daily animal care and management. Interns focus on learning and observation, whereas technicians perform routine animal handling and maintenance tasks.

What Does an Animal Science Intern Do?

An animal science intern can work in a variety of fields, including animal husbandry, zoology, wildlife research, animal nutrition, biological laboratory research, and veterinary medicine. During an internship, your duties vary, depending on the specialization in which you work. But the purpose of the internship is to gain experience by working alongside animal science professionals. If you work with domestic animals or zoo animals, you assist with cleaning enclosures, feeding animals, documenting behavior, and collecting samples. In a laboratory internship, your responsibilities revolve around collecting, analyzing, and documenting specimens. Many animal science internships require working outdoors for at least part of the program.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Animal Science Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Science Intern, you need foundational knowledge in animal biology, husbandry, and laboratory or field research, generally acquired through coursework in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with data collection tools, laboratory equipment, and animal management software is often required. Strong observational skills, attention to detail, and effective teamwork set outstanding interns apart. These abilities ensure both animal welfare and accurate data collection, supporting meaningful contributions to research or animal care operations.

What types of projects or research might an Animal Science Intern typically contribute to during their internship?

As an Animal Science Intern, you may be involved in a variety of projects ranging from assisting with animal care protocols and nutrition studies to supporting breeding programs or data collection for ongoing research. Interns often work closely with experienced professionals in laboratory, farm, or field settings, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to the team’s goals. This collaborative environment allows interns to develop practical skills and gain insight into the many career paths within animal science.
What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Science jobs in Michigan? The most popular types of Animal Science jobs in Michigan are:
What are popular job titles related to Animal Science Intern jobs in Michigan? For Animal Science Intern jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Science Intern jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Science Intern jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animal Science Intern jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Animal Science Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Animal Science Intern job openings in Michigan as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,773 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
Animal Welfare Research Internship - Summer 2025

Animal Welfare Research Internship - Summer 2025

Detroit Zoological Society

Royal Oak, MI

$15/hr

Temporary, Internship

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

Animal Welfare Research Internship - Summer 2025 The Detroit Zoological Society's Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics (CZAAWE) is accepting applications for an animal welfare research intern. This paid internship is funded through the Ron Kagan Endowment for Animal Welfare, which honors the former Executive Director/CEO of the Detroit Zoological Society who founded CZAAWE to advance zoo animal welfare science and policy. The aims of CZAAWE include assessing and improving the welfare of animals living in the care of humans, creating innovative behavioral husbandry programs, sharing best practices, and conducting research in two key areas: developing and validating novel tools for measuring animal welfare and examining the effects of management practices on welfare.
The CZAAWE animal welfare research internship is a paid internship opportunity. Interns are expected to commit to 40 hours per week (Monday-Friday) for 12 weeks between May 15 and September 15, totaling 480 hours of work. The start date can be flexible within the parameters listed above. The intern will be paid at a rate of $15/hour. For interns residing outside of Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, St. Clair, or Wayne counties (i.e., the Detroit Metro area), onsite housing may be available at no additional cost to the applicant.
The animal welfare research intern will focus on the processes used by researchers in the field of animal welfare through active participation in ongoing studies including data collection, basic laboratory work, database management, data analysis, and the generation of reports. Although this internship focuses on research, CZAAWE encompasses many areas of animal welfare science such as husbandry, positive reinforcement training, welfare assessment, enrichment, and significant life event monitoring. Research interns will receive education in all areas of animal welfare science for a comprehensive and immersive experience.
Animal welfare research interns will be supervised by the Manager of Applied Animal Welfare Science and will have the opportunity for mentorship from various departmental staff including the Animal Welfare Programs Manager and the Senior Director of Animal Welfare and Research.
Responsibilities:
  • Utilize observational research techniques with a variety of animal species for ongoing research and monitoring on zoo animal welfare.
  • Assist with data entry for research and monitoring projects.
  • Assist with literature searches and generation of reports.
  • Support the CZAAWE Research Assistant in training volunteers on current projects and protocols.
  • Gain experience processing biological samples through the on-site endocrinology lab.
  • Conduct basic descriptive analyses of complete datasets.
Requirements:
  • Applicants should have a background in zoology, biology, animal science, psychology, anthropology, or animal behavior. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated experience with research in lab, field or captive settings.
  • Applicants should be in the process of completing or have completed an undergraduate degree within the last two years and should not be currently enrolled in or have completed a graduate degree program.
  • Coursework in research methods, biology, animal behavior, statistics or related fields
  • GPA of 3.2/4.0 or higher
  • Minimum 18 years of age
  • Self-motivated and strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Experience with Microsoft Office products and good organizational skills
  • Timeliness, initiative, and ability to adhere to a schedule
  • Minimum commitment of 40 hours per week for 12 weeks totaling 480 hours of work
  • Proof of a negative TB test on or before start date

To apply:
Please be sure to complete the online DZS application found at https://detroitzoo.org/careers/.
In addition to the online DZS application, you will need to submit a resume; a cover letter outlining your interest in the program, how it will contribute to your career goals, and the unique skills you would bring to this program; a copy of your transcripts (unofficial copies are acceptable); and two letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation may come from academic sources (advisors or professors), professional sources (current or previous employers), or community sources (religious leaders or community members). The supplemental materials should be submitted via email. Recommendation letters may be submitted by the applicant or emailed directly to us from the recommenders. Only complete application submissions will be considered, and CZAAWE staff are not responsible for ensuring applicants submit all materials. Offers of positions are contingent upon the applicant passing a background check. If you would need to take advantage of onsite housing, please indicate this somewhere in your application materials. This will not be used as a factor to evaluate candidates or their eligibility for the internship.
Please email supplementary application materials to czaw@dzs.org with “CZAAWE Internship” in the subject line.
All application materials are due by 5:00 pm EST on January 17, 2025. All applicants will be informed of a decision no later than April 4, 2025.