Summary: This full-time, 2-year temporary wildlife veterinary fellow position will include primary duties dedicated to the advancement of the Forest Park Living Lab (FPLL). The FPLL is a collaborative program that includes the Saint Louis Zoo, Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL), St. Louis University, Forest Park Forever, and the World Bird Sanctuary. In this position, the Fellow will be part of the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine (ICM) Team. The Fellow will also be in the graduate cohort of the WUSTL Living Earth Collaborative (LEC), and as such they will have an affiliation with WUSTL. The position is based at the Zoo’s main campus in Forest Park, and the fellow will report to the Director of the Institute for Conservation Medicine.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Pre-animal handling may include trap set up and monitoring, and all preparations for safe animal handling and health sampling procedures.
- Animal handling that may include manual and/or anesthetic captures, biomaterial sample collection, telemetry tag placement, and post procedure long-term monitoring.
- Analyses of health data along with movement, and ecological data collected by the team.
- Outreach activities including presentations that may be delivered to the general public and students from K-12 to graduate level.
- Co-mentor along with ICM and FPLL personnel undergraduate and possibly graduate students.
- Participation in LEC seminars and programs as a member of the LEC post-doc and fellow cohort.
- Website administrator for the collaborative Forest Park Living Lab (forestparklivinglab.org) website pages.
- Coordinate field activities, didactic exercises, and help facilitate communication between FPLL leadership and partners.
- Publication of at least two scientific papers.
- At least one grant submitted during time of the fellowship to ensure long-term success of FPLL.
- Opportunity to participate in other ICM international programs may be available in year two of the position, contingent on fulfillment of FPLL duties.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Veterinary degree from an accredited veterinary college.
- Experience working with non-domestic animals and/or with affiliated skills in disease and/or movement ecology.
- Detail-oriented, strong problem-solving skills, and good understanding of field-based conservation medicine programs.
- Ability to work independently but also as part of a team that includes a diversity of disciplines (e.g., ecologists, biologists, technicians, educators) is critical.
- Effective written and verbal communications skills, and strong interpersonal skills are a must.
- Ability to obtain a Missouri veterinary license within 3 months of starting the position is encouraged.
- All successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check and a drug test. As this is a safety-sensitive role, a negative drug test result is mandatory. The drug test screens for five substances, including marijuana. Proof of COVID vaccination is also required, as the successful candidate will be working directly with animals susceptible to COVID-19.
