Diving Bird Research and Animal Care Internship and Volunteer Positions ­
There is an opening for an unpaid internship position at the U.S.
Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel, MD,
starting in January and running through the spring semester. This
internship involves assisting with sensory biology and foraging research
and animal care at a captive colony of sea ducks, diving ducks, and
red-throated loons. Primary responsibilities include: assisting with daily
care of birds, using behavioral training techniques to shape research
behaviors, observation of research trials, data entry and analysis, and
maintenance/cleaning tasks. The ideal applicant will have experience
working with animals, be interested in biological research, and be willing
to work outside in all weather conditions. The internship involves a
commitment of a minimum of 8 hours per week, and we will work around the
applicant's class schedule. Course credit through the university may be
possible. The applicant must provide their own
 transportation to the center.

 
If you are interested in this internship position but do not have the
minimum time commitment of 8 hours per week, we are also looking for
volunteers that can commit 2 hours per week. These volunteer positions
involve feeding the colony and assisting with the animal care and
research, but to a lesser degree than the internship.

These positions offer an excellent opportunity for qualified and motivated
individuals to obtain research and animal care experience under the
mentorship of both University of Maryland faculty/graduate students and
U.S. Geological Survey researchers. If you are interested, please send a
resume and brief letter of interest to Sara Therrien at [log in to unmask]