Seabird 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 September and running through the fall 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,
identifying items in biomass samples with a microscope, 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 (no weekends, just weekdays;
we will work around your course schedule). Course credit through the
university may be possible. The applicant must provide their own
transportation to the center, which is about 20 minutes from campus.

If you are interested in the internship, but do not have the minimum of 8
hours per week available, we are also looking for volunteers that can
commit a minimum of 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]