Wood and Spotted Turtle Ecology Internship
Agency: Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Location: Front Royal, VA
Closing Date: August 30, 2020
Contact: Jessica Meck, meckj@si.edu
Please send the following documents to Jessica Meck: 1) CV/Resume, 2) Cover Letter describing your qualifications, career goals, and what you hope to gain from the internship, and 3) one Letter of Recommendation. Please type “Turtle Ecology Internship” in the email’s subject header. Application documents combined into one PDF are preferred and they should be submitted with the following file name format: “LastName_FirstName”.
Term/Grade: 6 month - paid internship
Position Summary:
The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute is providing an opportunity for an intern to gain research experience on the ecology and conservation of two threatened Virginia turtle species. The intern will assist with the following projects: 1) examine the distribution and status of Wood Turtle (Glyptemys insculpta) populations across northern Virginia via standardized monitoring protocols and eDNA collection, 2) support the research of a George-Mason University MS research fellow studying the life history and survivorship of two Wood Turtle populations in Virginia, and 3) determine the status and distribution of Spotted Turtles (Clemmys guttata) across their range as part of a multi-state federal grant effort. The intern will assist in all aspects of data collection and management and will support outreach activities associated with promoting conservation efforts for the species in the Commonwealth.
Major Duties:
This is a paid internship opportunity wherein the intern will support the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. Through this internship, the successful applicant will gain experience with:
- Standardized sampling techniques and monitoring protocols
- Radiotelemetry
- Summarizing project results via technical reports and presentations
- Managing large datasets for monitoring multiple species of turtles
See full announcement and apply here.
