Veterinary Internship

Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a one-year clinical internship for post-graduate veterinarians for training in aquatic animal medicine. We aim to decrease barriers for entry into aquarium medicine and increase the diversity in the profession; therefore we especially encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in veterinary medicine to apply.

The veterinary intern will assist the veterinary staff in providing medical management for the aquarium’s diverse collection, including teleosts, elasmobranchs, invertebrates, birds, sea otters, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as animals undergoing rehabilitation (primarily sea otters). The program emphasizes an evidence-based medicine approach, and the intern will learn and advance their diagnostic and medical skills, including ultrasonography, radiography, endoscopy, cytology, gross necropsy, and surgery.

The intern will have the opportunity to learn from other departments, including applied water science, animal care and husbandry, conservation and research, and collections. The intern will also help teach veterinary externs, aquarists, and pre-veterinary students and may have the opportunity to participate in field work and research projects with internal and external collaborators.

The primary emphasis of this internship is on clinical work. We encourage and will support the intern to perform clinical research and present this research or other aquatic veterinary case material to the aquatic veterinary medical community. This position will run from August 2025 – July 2026, with exact dates being flexible. The stipend for the position is expected to be $80,000 per annum plus benefits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the veterinary and animal care teams to provide preventative, routine, and emergency veterinary medical care for collection and rehabilitation animals during regular work hours, holidays, and after-hours when on call
• Assist in clinical case management using an evidence-based medicine approach and best practices
• Maintain medical records using Tracks and communicate with husbandry staff and other stakeholders
• Perform and document post-mortem examinations
• Present and discuss cases during rounds with veterinary staff and on a quarterly basis with Animal Care staff
• Participate in the teaching of veterinary externs, aquarists, and pre-veterinary students and in a monthly journal club
• Uphold the core values of the Monterey Bay Aquarium and maintain good relationships with staff, visitors, volunteers, and other personnel

Physical Demands:

• The position involves extended periods of sitting at a computer in addition to periods of standing and walking
• Must be able to provide medical care and assessments in a variety of settings, including around water, in the field, up ladders, and in confined spaces.
• Occasional unassisted lifting up to 50 lbs

Qualifications and Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited veterinary institution
• One of more year(s) of postgraduate clinical veterinary experience preferred, but new graduates with significant experience in aquatic animal medicine will also be considered
• Ability to obtain a California veterinary license prior to or within 1 month of starting internship
• Valid driver’s license

Application Materials:

• A cover letter which should include:
  • Applicant’s interests and goals in aquatic animal medicine
  • How the applicant has and plans to contribute to improving diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in veterinary medicine
  • Discussion of any barriers that the applicant has faced in their professional journey
• A current curriculum vitae or resume
• Three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the applicant’s clinical, academic, research, or community experience. At least two letters must be written by a veterinarian. Send the letters to: vetsvcs@mbayaq.org 
• Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
  • Applicants will be notified about a decision before February 14, 2025