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Smithsonian Women’s Committee Diversity Internship in Conservation Biology

This internship has closed. To see open and upcoming opportunities, visit the internships page.

The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute's Center for Species Survival is accepting applicants for conservation biology internships.

This is an opportunity for undergraduate and graduate (first year) students to gain experience in conservation biology with a special emphasis in reproductive science and its role in conservation. Students will gain first-hand experience in tackling conservation issues and fundamental biological questions while working alongside highly experienced researchers from SCBI’s science directorate. They will be mentored in the scientific process, including defining their own research project, robust record keeping, data and statistical analyses, data presentation and a final scientific paper.

Headquartered in Front Royal, Virginia, SCBI plays a leading role in the Smithsonian's global efforts to save wildlife species from extinction and train future generations of conservationists. Since 1983, Center for Species Survival scientists have pioneered innovative approaches to solve wildlife conservation problems around the world, with the goal of avoiding extinction and creating methods to sustain viable wildlife populations in zoos and the wild.

Learning Objectives: 

Selected interns will:

  • Attend a week-long orientation to learn about various aspects of reproductive science in conservation and lab safety
  • Based on selected projects, gain experience in laboratory techniques, ranging from noninvasive hormone monitoring, to sperm, oocyte, and embryo biology, and genomics in various rare and endangered species, including rare carnivores, wild horses, antelopes, birds and coral
  • Gain experience in data analysis
  • Complete a mentored project, and present the findings to SCBI staff and trainees
Qualifications: 
  • Undergraduate or first-year graduate student interested in wildlife conservation and research
  • Must be flexible, reliable and self-motivated with good time-management skills
  • Must have ability to pass a federal background check
Stipend: 
$2,000 per month, $5,000 total (10-week internship)
Location: 
Hawaii
Front Royal
Housing: 
Travel to placement location will not be paid. Interns will be required to provide their own housing. Internships are available in Front Royal, Virginia, and in Hawaii.
Parking: 
Free parking in Front Royal, Virginia, is available to interns.
Term of appointment: 

This is a 10-week internship. Interns are expected to spend a minimum of 40 hours per week on site. Internships start June 1, 2022.

Application deadline(s): 
Monday, April 4, 2022
Status: 
Open
Internship Category: 
Research
How to Apply: 

To apply, go to solaa.si.edu. Select "Don't have an Account? Create An Account." Complete the information to create an account.

Information that will be requested (in SOLAA) includes:

  • Professional resume or CV
  • A one-page statement of your interest in pursuing this position. The statement should mention relevant experience, career goals, the reasons for wanting this internship, what you hope to gain from the experience and how this experience will help promote diversity in conservation biology. Your statement will be reviewed carefully during application evaluations.
  • Two letters of reference

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: “Women’s Committee Diversity Internships”

Questions about this internship should be directed to Dr. Nucharin Songsasen at songsasenn@si.edu.