Veterinary Internship in Aquatic Animal Medicine and Research - Mystic Aquarium

Mystic Aquarium offers a post graduate training position for veterinarians looking to specialize in aquatic animal medicine through a Veterinary Internship in Aquatic Animal Medicine and Research. The internship is a one-year, full-time position; however, in select cases extension to a second year may be possible.

The Veterinary Intern will train under the mentorship of four ACZM board‑certified veterinarians and will contribute to the medical care and welfare of the diverse animal collection at Mystic Aquarium, as well as animals admitted through the Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program. The institution maintains an extensive collection that includes invertebrates, freshwater and marine fishes, elasmobranchs, reptiles, amphibians, penguins, pinnipeds (harbor seals, spotted seals, Northern fur seals, California Sea lions, and Steller sea lions), and beluga whales. The Animal Rescue Program responds to stranded marine mammals and sea turtles along approximately 1,000 miles of coastline, with the goal of rehabilitation and release. The aquarium’s hospital and diagnostic laboratory are equipped with comprehensive clinical capabilities, including in‑house hematology and biochemistry, digital radiography, portable ultrasonography, rigid and flexible endoscopy, computed tomography, and a state‑of‑the‑art surgical suite. Interns will receive guidance in designing and conducting one or more clinical research projects, with the expectation of presenting results at a professional conference and preparing a manuscript for submission to a peer‑reviewed journal. Interns may pursue supplemental training opportunities at collaborating aquatic and zoological institutions. The internship also provides opportunities for teaching and mentorship through engagement with students and participation in informal seminars.

Graduates of the program have successfully advanced to competitive residency programs and careers in aquatic and zoological medicine. Additional information, including a list of program alumni, is available on the Mystic Aquarium website:https://www.mysticaquarium.org/research-and-conservation/aquatic-animal-health/veterinary-science/veterinary-educational-opportunities/

Applicants for the internship should be graduates of an AVMA-accredited veterinary college or be ECFVG certified. Candidates must have passed the NAVLE and hold, or be eligible to obtain, a Connecticut veterinary license. Preference is given to applicants with postgraduate experience in an internship setting or clinical practice, though highly qualified new graduates with demonstrated achievement in aquatic animal medicine are encouraged to apply. A valid driver’s license is required.

The position requires flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays. The annual stipend is expected to be $53,000, plus benefits.

Application Materials:

1. A cover letter reflecting the applicant’s goals in aquatic animal medicine and research.

2. A current curriculum vitae or resume.

3. A current transcript from the veterinary school and any post-baccalaureate program which he/she has attended. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable.

4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and his/her potential in the clinical and research arenas. At least two of the letters must be written by a veterinarian.

Submit all application material to Dr. Allison Tuttle - atuttle@mysticaquarium.org by December 20, 2026.

Potential applicants who will be in the southern New England area are encouraged to contact us for a tour of our facilities and a chance to meet with our staff. A general orientation to our facility and programs can be obtained by viewing our web page http://www.mysticaquarium.org.

Mystic Aquarium is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, part of Sea Research Foundation, Inc., and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, veteran status or sexual orientation. Mystic Aquarium participates in E-Verify.

The Teaching Hospital - The Marine Mammal Center

The Marine Mammal Center's Teaching Hospital applications are now open.

• Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology Veterinary Internship - THIS IS THE ONLY PAID POSITION

• Clinical Veterinary Student Externship Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology

• Pathology Veterinary Student Externship Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology

• Veterinary Technician Student Externship Rotation

• Veterinary Anatomic Pathology Resident Rotation in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology

2027 EAAM Symposium - Cesenatico/Oltremare, Italy - 2 – 5 March 2027

We are delighted to announce the 2027 EAAM Symposium, the annual symposium dedicated to aquatic mammals, which will take place in Cesenatico/Oltremare, Italy, from 2–5 March 2027.

The symposium will once again provide an opportunity for professionals, researchers, students, and aquatic mammal enthusiasts from around the world to meet, share their latest work, exchange knowledge, and strengthen collaborations within our community.

A special place is reserved for students at the EAAM Symposium. Students benefit from reduced registration fees and will have the opportunity to compete for the Best Oral Presentation Award and the Best Poster Award. We strongly encourage students to take part and share their research with the EAAM community.

The Call for Abstracts is now open. If you are interested in presenting your work at the symposium, we invite you to consult the abstract submission guidelines and deadlines available here and on the EAAM website www.eaam.be

Further information about the symposium, including the programme, registration, accommodation, and practical details, will be added to the website as it becomes available.

Veterinary Fellowship - Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a one-year clinical fellowship 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 fellow will assist the veterinary staff in providing medical management for the aquarium’s diverse collection, including teleosts (25%), elasmobranchs (15%), invertebrates (15%), birds (15%), sea otters (20%), reptiles (<10%), and amphibians (<5%), as well as animals undergoing rehabilitation (primarily sea otters). The program emphasizes an evidence-based medicine approach, and the fellow will learn and advance their diagnostic and medical skills, including ultrasonography, radiography, endoscopy, cytology, gross necropsy, and surgery.

The fellow will have the opportunity to learn from other departments, including applied water science, animal care and husbandry, conservation and research, and collections. The fellow 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 fellowship is on clinical work. We encourage and will support the fellow 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 2027 – August 2028, with exact dates being flexible. The stipend for the position is expected to be $80,000 per annum plus benefits.

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IAAAM is happy to share opportunities relevant to the aquatic animal medicine community. Please note that we are not the hiring institution and cannot provide additional information regarding the position. For questions about the role, salary, qualifications, or application process, please contact the organization directly.

Veterinary Student Externship - Marine Mammal Care Center

Marine Mammal Care Center’s veterinary externship program provides veterinary students in their clinical years of veterinary school the opportunity to gain exposure to marine mammal medicine and rehabilitation. Students will participate in animal husbandry, stranded animal response and triage, biological sampling, diagnostic imaging (which may include radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy depending on patient needs), clinical procedures, anesthesia, and necropsies. Students will work closely with MMCC’s veterinary, hospital, and response staff as well as animal care volunteers.

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IAAAM is happy to share opportunities relevant to the aquatic animal medicine community. Please note that we are not the hiring institution and cannot provide additional information regarding the position. For questions about the role, salary, qualifications, or application process, please contact the organization directly.

Veterinary Technician Student Externship - Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium provides an exciting opportunity for veterinary technician students to work in our Animal Health Department. Veterinary tech externs will work closely with the Texas State Aquarium’s veterinary staff, which includes a Director of Animal Health, an Associate Veterinarian, and two licensed veterinary technicians. The Texas State Aquarium, located on the Corpus Christi waterfront, is an AZA-accredited facility that focuses on species found in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The animal collection consists largely of aquatic species but also includes terrestrial birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a few terrestrial mammals. The Wildlife Rescue Center operated by the aquarium serves to rehabilitate mostly sea turtles and on occasion marine mammals.

Program Description: The technician externship program at Texas State Aquarium is designed to introduce veterinary technician students to all aspects of aquatic animal medicine. Externships are offered from January to May of each year. Students should plan to spend 3-6 weeks at the Texas State Aquarium. The number of available positions will depend on the externship length for each student that year. Externship applications are accepted on a rolling basis for each year until slots are filled, and qualified applicants are scheduled based on the extern’s schedule as well as staff availability. The extern’s schedule will generally be Monday through Friday, 8a-5p, but there may be times when procedures will be scheduled outside of these hours. Students spending 4+ weeks will be allowed to shadow other husbandry departments and be required to give a 30-minute PowerPoint presentation on the topic of their choice.

The veterinary technician externship program is open to students that are currently enrolled in an AVMA-accredited veterinary technician/technology program at the time of their stay at the Texas State Aquarium. Preference will be given to those with previous experience in exotic, zoo, aquatic, or wildlife rehabilitation medicine, and/or those who are interested in pursuing a related field post-graduation.

There is currently no stipend available for this position. All candidates are expected to find their own accommodation and transportation. Parking at the aquarium is provided.

Positions are available from January to May 2027. Applicants will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

How to apply:

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• • Curriculum vitae/resume

• • Letter of intent reflecting the applicant’s externship goals, future career goals and any prior zoo/aquatic/exotic experience

• • 1 reference

• • 3 sets of available dates in order of preference during the period between Jan-May 2027

For additional questions or inquiries, please e-mail to vet@txstateaq.org

_____________________________________________________

IAAAM is happy to share opportunities relevant to the aquatic animal medicine community. Please note that we are not the hiring institution and cannot provide additional information regarding the position. For questions about the role, salary, qualifications, or application process, please contact the organization directly.

Veterinary Student Externship - Texas State Aquarium

The Texas State Aquarium (TSA) provides an exciting opportunity for veterinary students to gain experience in clinical medicine and rescue/rehabilitation medicine of aquatic species. The Texas State Aquarium, located on the Corpus Christi waterfront, is an AZA-accredited facility that focuses on species found in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. The animal collection consists largely of aquatic species but also includes terrestrial birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a few terrestrial mammals. The Wildlife Rescue Center operated by the aquarium serves to rehabilitate mostly sea turtles and on occasion marine mammals.

Veterinary externs will work closely with the TSA’s veterinary staff, which includes two full-time veterinarians and two licensed veterinary technicians, in the medical management of a large captive display collection, as well as stranded animals presenting to the wildlife rescue center. The extern’s schedule will generally be Monday through Friday, 8a-5p, but there may be times when procedures will be scheduled outside of these hours depending on the medical needs of the collection or rescue program. Students should be flexible if asked to help on the weekend.

The veterinary student externship program is open to students that will be in their 3rd, or more preferably, 4th year of veterinary school at the time of their stay at TSA. Each position is a minimum of 2 weeks and a maximum of 4 weeks depending on the student's availability. The number of available positions will depend on the externship length for each student that year. Preference will be given to those with previous experience in aquatic animal medicine and/or those interested in pursuing a related field post-graduation. There is currently no stipend available for this position. All candidates are expected to find their own accommodation and transportation. Parking at the aquarium is provided.

Positions are available from January to May 2028. Externship blackout dates include the IAAAM conference week in May. The application period is from September 1 – December 1, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance by December 31, 2026.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Curriculum vitae/resume

• Letter of intent reflecting the applicant’s externship goals, future career goals and any prior zoo/aquatic/exotic experience

• Proof of enrollment in a veterinary school through an electronic copy of a veterinary school transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

• 2 letters of reference

• 3 sets of available dates in order of preference during the period between January 1 - May 31, 2028

For additional questions or inquiries, please e-mail to vet@txstateaq.org

_____________________________________________________

IAAAM is happy to share opportunities relevant to the aquatic animal medicine community. Please note that we are not the hiring institution and cannot provide additional information regarding the position. For questions about the role, salary, qualifications, or application process, please contact the organization directly.

2027 AQUAVET® I & II Courses - May-June, 2027

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University is pleased to announce the 2027 AQUAVET® I, II course offerings. They are aquatic veterinary medicine education programs that currently consist of two courses that will be presented at Roger Williams University in Bristol, RI in June 2027.

AQUAVET ® I: An Introduction to Aquatic Veterinary Medicine is a 4-week course (31 May - 27 June 2027) intended primarily for veterinary students.

AQUAVET ® II: Comparative Pathology of Aquatic Animals is a 2-week course (31 May - 13 June 2027) that is oriented toward the pathology of diseases of aquatic invertebrates and fish that are used in biomedical research, encountered in display aquaria and are of importance in commercial aquaculture.

AQUAVET ® Summer Research Fellow (one offered) is an 8 week research program, usually studying fish disease at a lab at Cornell University. There is no tuition and this student will receive a stipend of $3,800 after completing the 8 weeks.

Veterinary students can receive credits for the courses and graduate veterinarians can receive CE credits.

More detailed information and applications for admission (due by January 15, 2027) are available on the web site www.aquavet.org.

PhD Student Position – Université de Montréal- CWHC

The laboratories of Prof. Joanie Van de Walle at the Université du Québec à Rimouski (UQAR), Prof. Émilie L. Couture at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the Université de Montréal in Rimouski (FMV-CQSAS), and Prof. Gesche Winkler at the Institut des Sciences de la Mer (ISMER) are recruiting a PhD student for a research project on the identification of causes of mortality and their population-level implications in St. Lawrence marine mammals.

Fellowship in Aquatic and Zoologic Animal Medicine - National Aquarium in Baltimore

A two-year veterinary fellowship is being offered by the National Aquarium in Baltimore. The collection includes over 16,000 individuals and 700 species of invertebrates, fresh and saltwater fishes, elasmobranchs, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including bottlenose dolphins. In addition, the Marine Animal Rescue Program intakes on average 2-5 seals and 20-40 sea turtles per year for rehabilitation. This position is primarily clinical in nature, and the fellow will be involved in all aspects of aquatic animal medicine and surgery including daily interaction with husbandry personnel, physical examination and sample collection, routine and emergency medical treatment, radiology, anesthesia, surgery, and clinical pathology throughout their time here.