The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Global Health Program works with international partners to combat threats to wildlife, human, and ecosystem health and survival by addressing these challenges at their source: the human-wildlife interface. The Global Health Program is based on the One Health approach, which recognizes that the health of all species is intertwined and closely dependent upon one another.
GHP scientists utilize a broad range of expertise, including wildlife veterinarians, biologists and epidemiologists. This interdisciplinary team works together with many partners and research associates to address wildlife health concerns, investigate disease at the human-wildlife interface and conduct international training programs in an effort to build intervention and response capacity worldwide.
This is an unpaid internship opportunity where the intern will learn about scientific research assignments, grant/manuscript writing and project development. The intern may have the opportunity to learn how to research grants, develop project proposals and author publications with GHP staff. Specific activities will include:
- Engage in investigation on a topic relevant to conservation medicine or zoonotic public health risks, assisting in project proposals, literature searches, grant writing and project implementation
- Learn how to collect, organize and analyze data
- Develop publications using research outputs
- Learn communication skills and assist with training activities with local or international research partners
- Gain experience with the scientific process, using a One Health approach to address conservation and public health issues
Interns will be matched with projects based on their main areas of interest. Potential projects may include: assessing vectorborne disease prevalence in partner countries, exploring infectious diseases threatening wildlife species around the world, human-animal interface research and development of One Health training programs with international partners.
- Graduate level students with an interest in public health, wildlife health, conservation or zoonotic/emerging diseases
- Experience in wildlife health and conservation, public health or animal health preferred
- Prior experience in Asia or Africa preferred
June 3 to Aug. 9, 2019. Reasonable exceptions may be made in order to coordinate with university schedules. Students must commit to a minimum of six weeks, full time.
To apply, go to: solaa.si.edu and select "Don't have an Account? Create An Account." Complete the information to create an account. Information that will be requested in SOLAA includes:
- Basic personal information
- Professional resume or CV
- A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, your reasons for wanting this internship, and what you hope to gain from the experience. Note: Your statement is very important during application evaluations.
- Two references (letters not necessary)
- Schedule of availability
Once you create your account and provide the information above, you will see a screen where you select the type of appointment you are interested in. You will select:
- Type of appointment: “Internship”
- Unit of interest: “National Zoological Park”
- Program: “National Zoological Park Internship Program”
- Project: “Rock Creek - Smithsonian's Global Health Research Internship”
IMPORTANT: Your application is considered complete when you hit “Submit.”