About the role#
The Monterey Bay Aquarium offers a one-year clinical fellowship for post-graduate veterinarians focusing on aquatic animal medicine. This program provides training in medical management for a diverse collection including sea otters, teleosts, elasmobranchs, invertebrates, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The fellowship emphasizes an evidence-based medicine approach, allowing the fellow to advance diagnostic and medical skills such as ultrasonography, radiography, endoscopy, cytology, gross necropsy, and surgery. The program aims to decrease barriers for entry into the field and encourages candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
What you'll do#
- Provide preventative, routine, and emergency medical care for collection and rehabilitation animals during regular hours, holidays, and on-call shifts.
- Assist in clinical case management and maintain medical records using Tracks.
- Communicate regularly with husbandry staff and other aquarium departments.
- Perform and document post-mortem examinations.
- Present and discuss clinical cases during staff rounds and quarterly Animal Care meetings.
- Teach veterinary externs, aquarists, and pre-veterinary students.
- Participate in a monthly journal club and maintain professional relationships with staff, visitors, and volunteers.
- Uphold the core values of the aquarium.
What you'll need#
- A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree from an accredited institution.
- Authorization to work in the United States. Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
- Ability to obtain a California veterinary license and USDA NVAP Category II accreditation within one month of starting the fellowship.
- A valid driver's license.
- One or more years of postgraduate clinical experience is preferred, though new graduates with significant aquatic animal medicine experience will be considered.
- Prior experience with aquatic taxa is preferred.
- Ability to perform physical tasks including standing for long periods, working in confined spaces, climbing ladders, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
Location & details#
- Location: Monterey, California.
- Term: Fall 2027 (August 2, 2027, to July 28, 2028).
- Modality: On-site, full-time.
- Compensation: $80,000 per year with full health benefits.
About Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Bay Aquarium is a nonprofit organization based in Monterey, California. Founded in 1984, it maintains living exhibits focused on the marine life of the central coast. The institution operates educational programs for over 100,000 students and educators annually. Its staff conducts research and policy advocacy regarding ocean health, including the Seafood Watch program.
How to get in at Monterey Bay Aquarium
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