Career areas

A person can hold any number of jobs or careers within the broader field of primatology, working directly or indirectly with nonhuman primates in a variety of settings, and still be considered a primatologist. Here, primatologists offer an in-depth look at their varied careers in the field, what each niche might entail, and what might be required to pursue a successful career in that area.

We are seeking more diverse voices in primatology for this page and more primatologists from outside the United States. Please contact us if you are willing to share your story on how you became a primatologist and advice to those interested in the field.

ANIMAL CARE
by Linda Brent

ANTHROPOLOGY
by Linda L. Taylor

BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH
by Reinhold J. Hutz

EDUCATION
by Claud A. Bramblett

FIELD RESEARCH
by Kevin Hunt

PALEONTOLOGY
by Eric Delson

PSYCHOLOGY
by John Capitanio

PSYCHOLOGY IN THE UK
by Richard W. Byrne

SANCTUARIES
by Alan Mootnick

VETERINARY MEDICINE
by Jan C. Ramer

ZOOS
by Helena Fitch-Snyder

ZOOLOGY
by Joanna E. Lambert

Primate Info Net (PIN) is maintained by the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with countless grants and contributions from others over time. PIN is an ever-growing community effort: if you’d like to contribute, or have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.