Assist with the investigation of wildlife mortality events and disease monitoring by coordinating with the public, other biologists, and Fish and Wildlife Health (FWH) staff to collect and transport carcasses for necropsy; assist with immobilization, transport, and euthanasia of sick/injured wildlife; assist with wildlife necropsies, assist with data collection and entry; process and ship diagnostic samples and ensure return and re-archiving of unused samples from diagnostic labs when applicable, prepare necropsy reports, and maintain medical records. Assist with field or lab research and monitoring projects both with Wildlife Health team and with other FWC programs. Conduct student research project, assist with preparation of Wildlife Health webpages, and prepare protocols, necropsy guides, and/or other educational/outreach materials. Assist with teaching wildlife disease lab classes and other outreach. Provide administrative assistance including data entry, scanning medical records, and assisting with sample archiving. Position will be based at the Lovett E. Williams Wildlife Research Laboratory (Wildlife Health, FWH Health subsection, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Gainesville, Florida). The position will be supervised by a wildlife veterinarian. The extern will gain knowledge and experience in wildlife disease surveillance, important diseases in wildlife, necropsy techniques, and wildlife disease investigations. Depending on ongoing projects, the extern may gain knowledge and experience in research design, radio-telemetry, and capture and immobilization.

Florida’s local fish and wildlife

The Wildlife Health unit offers limited veterinary externship opportunities, and they are open to 3rd and 4th year veterinary students. Students from all accredited veterinary schools are eligible, and preference will be given to those with a strong interest in conservation medicine as a career goal. 

The position is based at the Wildlife Research Laboratory (Gainesville, FL) although an externship at our St. Petersburg office may be considered. The externship is a paid ($15/hour) position with FWC, and applicants must meet the minimum requirements for employment in the state of Florida. Externs (and volunteers) are responsible for their own housing and transportation to/from the office. To be considered, externs must commit 4-6 weeks to the program. Currently the 4-6 week externship is available only during the period beginning approximately January 2 through March 7.

Paid ($15/hour) position with FWC

https://myfwc.com/research/wildlife/health/externships-and-volunteer

Students interested in an externship should submit a resume or CV, cover letter, and the names and contact information of three references to Dr. Mark Cunningham. The deadline for these materials will be April 1 for the externship period beginning the next calendar year (e.g., applications for the winter 2025 externship are due April 1, 2024). The student will be notified of a decision by April 14. For the winter 2024 externship only, application materials are due by April 30 and a decision will be made by May 15.

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