The Auckland Zoo - Wildlife and Conservation Medicine Residency/Professional Doctorate program is based within the Veterinary Services team at the New Zealand Centre for Conservation Medicine – Auckland Zoo, with the opportunity to work at additional locations as appropriate, including Kelly Tarlton’s aquarium, and related wildlife conservation and fieldwork opportunities.
Applications close Friday 7 March 2025. Position commences July 2025.
The Veterinary Hospital provides the animal health service to Auckland Zoo, including preventative medicine, surgery, nutrition, reproductive management, quarantine, biosecurity, transaction health management, zoonoses and disease investigation, and emergency animal care. The team aims to provide the highest possible levels of health care, welfare, husbandry, species management and exhibit design for the animals under our care to enable Auckland Zoo to achieve its operational and strategic objectives.
The team works in close collaboration with other organisations such as the Department of Conservation (DOC) and MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries) on projects related to native species conservation, conservation medicine, ex-situ breeding, health and disease monitoring, and triage and treatment of native species.
Focus species include kākāpō, takahē, kiwi, little penguin/kororā and other New Zealand native birds as well as native reptiles such as sea turtles, skinks and gecko species. The team also provides expert advice in zoo and wildlife matters through consultancies, media engagement, lectures, written material and scientific publications.
The three-year residency will commence in July 2025. A merit-based selection process will be initiated in April 2025. Applicants must have a veterinary degree registrable in New Zealand, a minimum of 2 years’ experience in veterinary practice and be a New Zealand citizen, or a resident or citizen of Australia.
Applicants should have a logical and evidence-based approach to clinical case investigations, a strong academic background, and strong written and verbal communication skills. They should also demonstrate good time-management skills, have the ability to work well in a team and a strong commitment to the fields of zoo, wildlife and conservation medicine. The residency has a strong research focus alongside clinical work, and therefore the applicant should have previous experience in research or professional veterinary investigation.
Auckland Zoo’s contribution will cover the scholarship and project costs. A work uniform, personal protective equipment and a workspace will be provided by Auckland Zoo. The School of Veterinary Medicine and the Graduate Research Office (GRO) will co-fund the tax-free scholarship of $43,500 p.a. over the three-year period. The Professional Doctorate involves coursework delivered through Murdoch University in epidemiology and One Health and a significant research dissertation up to 60,000 words or the equivalent of 3-4 research papers.