International Veterinary Fellowship Program in Marine Mammal Medicine and Pathology en The Marine Mammal Center

Description

Location of Position: Marin Headlands, Sausalito, California 

Reports to: Clinical Veterinarian: Dr. Emily Whitmer

Position Classification: Rotations 1 to 3 months in duration between April 1, 2026- July 30, 2026

Benefits: Travel costs to/from California, shared housing, and a stipend for food and basic living expenses.

Please be advised that The Marine Mammal Center does not directly provide visa sponsorship. All J-1 visa applications must be managed through an authorized sponsor organization. Our current J-1 sponsor organization has informed us that they may be unable to provide sponsorship services or determine eligibility at this time. Accordingly, The Marine Mammal Center cannot guarantee J-1 visa sponsorship for applicants to this position.

Position Overview

The Marine Mammal Center’s International Veterinary Fellowship Program (IVFP) provides marine mammal veterinarians an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in pinniped rehabilitation medicine and pathology. This program is designed for applicants who have existing experience in the areas of marine mammal care, health, rehabilitation, stranding response, and/or research, and are actively engaged in this work in an ongoing manner. The position is temporary, and it is expected that successful applicants will return to their home country, prepared to implement the knowledge and skills gained during their program. This position is offered for 1 to 3 months between April and July. One or two positions are offered each year. 

The Fellow will gain exposure to pinniped medicine, rehabilitation, husbandry, stranding response, and pathology. The Fellow may also develop a capstone project for presentation to the Center community. The Fellow will work with otariids (such as California sea lions, northern fur seals, and Guadalupe fur seals) and phocids (such as Northern elephant seals and Pacific harbor seals). There may be rare opportunities to learn about sea otters and small cetaceans.  

The Fellow will work under the direct supervision of staff and experienced volunteers. The Fellow will have opportunities to gain experience in marine mammal husbandry, veterinary care, diagnostic testing, anesthesia, medical recordkeeping, and necropsy. Continued mentorship and partnership opportunities beyond the term of the onsite fellowship may also be possible dependent upon successful program completion and collaborative work.

The Center provides airfare and travel to California, a room in a shared guest house within walking distance of the Center, and a stipend for food and basic living expenses. The guest house is shared with other students, residents, and researchers associated with the Center. The guest house is located in the Marin Headlands Park; there is no public transportation available to this area. Applicants are required to have an International Driver’s license and the ability to drive in the United States. The Fellow will be primarily based at the Center’s main rehabilitation hospital in the Marin Headlands (near Sausalito, California) but may also have opportunities to travel to the Center’s other facilities near Monterey, California and San Luis Obispo, California. 

Key Responsibilities

· Learn to provide care for stranded, debilitated marine mammals, including assessment, husbandry and veterinary care.

· Learn to conduct post-mortem examination to investigate causes of death and understand disease processes.

· Develop a capstone project and present the project to the Center community at the end of the Fellowship.

Qualifications and Experience

· A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree is required.

· Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of 1 year experience in veterinary medicine after completion of their      veterinary degree. 

· Preference will be given to applicants that are currently employed in a marine mammal rehabilitation program or non-profit      organization equivalent.

· Strong written and spoken English language skills are required (for example, CEFR B2 level;      https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions)

· International Driver’s license and ability to drive within the United States are required. 

Physical Requirements 

· Ability to stand, walk, climb stairs and lift up to 50 pounds throughout the primarily outdoor hospital for extended periods of time in variable weather conditions

· Ability to physically restrain and interact with large and potentially dangerous marine mammals in the rehabilitation hospital setting 

· Hospital environment with use of potent anesthetic drugs, radiographic and other diagnostic procedures indoors and outdoors

· Ability to remain in a stationary position, and move in an office environment for extended periods of time

· Ability to operate a computer and other office equipment 

· Ability to walk/cover up to 2 miles during a shift on a frequent basis 

· COVID vaccination 

Work Environment 

· Potential exposure to zoonotic diseases 

· Exposure to sharp instruments and needles

· Working in outdoor weather conditions and elements daily 

· Potential exposure to formalin

· May involve strong smells associated with dead animals and the care of animals

ABOUT THE MARINE MAMMAL CENTER

The Marine Mammal Center is leading the field in ocean conservation through marine mammal rescue, veterinary medicine, science, and education. The Center is the largest marine mammal Teaching Hospital in the world and a critical training ground for veterinary professionals, combining high-quality animal care with hands-on learning experiences.

OUR MISSION

The Marine Mammal Center advances ocean health through marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation, research, and education.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Marine Mammal Center actively engages individuals from all backgrounds. We are committed to embracing diversity within our organization because we firmly believe that diverse employee teams help us to achieve our best organizational outcomes and provide the most effective support to the communities we serve. We are deeply dedicated to creating and maintaining an inclusive, equitable and supportive work environment. We strongly encourage people of color, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and non-binary people, veterans, parents, and individuals with disabilities to apply. The Center is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes everyone to our team. The Marine Mammal Center believes in growth and supporting our employees as best we can so they can become their best selves in and outside of work. We believe that a healthy work environment means building an inclusive culture where people can thrive together and feel supported and empowered. We believe in stretch versus constraint. 

For more information, please visit our “About Us” page at www.marinemammalcenter.org

To Apply: Please submit the following materials (to the web application):

1. Cover letter including your current program/ position, a brief description of your clinical, research and pathology experience, especially with marine mammals, and how this program will help you achieve your future goals.

2. Current Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3. Name, email address, and phone number of at least two professionals familiar with the applicant’s academic and/or clinical performance. The Marine Mammal Center will initiate the Recommendation Form with your references upon submission of your application. This will come from [email protected] directly to your references.

The Application period will open in October 2025 and closes on November 16, 2025. Applications will be reviewed and candidate selected during December 2025 with all candidates notified of decisions in January 2026.  

 

Please be advised that The Marine Mammal Center does not directly provide visa sponsorship. All J-1 visa applications must be managed through an authorized sponsor organization. Our current J-1 sponsor organization has informed us that they may be unable to provide sponsorship services or determine eligibility at this time. Accordingly, The Marine Mammal Center cannot guarantee J-1 visa sponsorship for applicants to this position.

Inquiries beyond the guidelines above can be directed to the following email address: [email protected]