The Taronga Zoo - Conservation, Wildlife and Zoo Medicine Residency/Professional Doctorate program is based within the Veterinary Services team at Taronga Wildlife Hospital and undertaken in conjunction with Murdoch University’s School of Veterinary Medicine. The Resident will also have the opportunity to work at additional locations as appropriate, including Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Applications close Friday 11 April 2025. Position commences July 2025.
To apply please contact Kimberly Vinette Herrin, Senior Veterinarian.
The Taronga Wildlife Hospital team provides the animal health service to Taronga 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 Taronga Zoo to achieve its operational and strategic objectives. The team works in close collaboration with the Taronga Institute of Science and Learning and many native species breeding programs to provide ex-situ breeding health and disease monitoring, triage and treatment and wild population health management.
Between both zoos, our focus species include Regent Honeyeaters, Plains Wanderers, Bilby, Platypus, Western Quoll, and Koala, as well as targeted species assessed and translocated through National Parks and Wildlife. The veterinarians also provide expert advice in zoo and wildlife matters through consultancies, media engagement, lectures, and written material.
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 South Wales, Australia, a minimum of 2 years experience in veterinary practice and be a resident or citizen of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen. 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 investigation.
Taronga Zoo’s contribution will cover the scholarship and project costs, as well as airfares, accommodation and living allowance costs associated with conference registration and attendance. A work uniform, personal protective equipment and a workspace will be provided by Taronga 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.