"Jen" Eells Small Animal Research Internship
About Jen
This internship opportunity is dedicated to the memory of Jennifer “Jen” Eells. Jen worked on a variety of wildlife conservation opportunities across the US before settling in Florida. She worked for the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) as a small mammal biologist and field ecologist before pursuing her master’s degree in the department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida.
In 2020, Jen joined the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) as a small mammal biologist studying endangered beach mice. In 2022, she broadened her scope as an Assistant Regional Biologist for FWC’s Wildlife Diversity Conservation Section in the north central region. Though she worked with multiple taxa groups in this role, mammals were a true passion of hers. This opportunity is intended to give wildlife students an opportunity to gain practical skills working with mammals and other nongame species, and to honor Jen’s “delight in the little things.”
About this Internship
This opportunity is for a highly motivated individual to assist the Terrestrial Mammal Research Subsection with various projects on Florida’s land mammals across the state. Intern will be paired with researchers to learn field methods used to investigate mammal ecology, population biology and conservation. Projects may include capturing and tracking bats to understand roost selection, collecting hair samples from bears to estimate population abundance, learning to work with a scat detection dog, and setting out camera traps to detect mink, weasels, skunks, deer and panthers. There may also be other opportunities with non-mammal species including herps and birds through the wildlife research lab and regional FWC office. When not in the field, intern will assist with data entry, camera trap processing and other miscellaneous office tasks to contribute to ongoing research projects.
*Note: only candidates with a current rabies vaccine will be allowed to handle bats. Those without will only be able to observe bat handling and assist with equipment set up and data recording.
Location: Gainesville, FL
Hours: Full or part-time opportunity depending on interest; may include late nights and/or weekends but schedule can be flexible.
Dates: mid-May to mid-August (start and end dates TBD)
Supervisor: Variety of projects with several mentors
Tasks/Position Requirements: Specific job responsibilities include but are not limited to the following::
- Travel to and conduct mammal research throughout the state
- Assist with bat mist netting and radio-telemetry of tricolored bats*
- Assist with Florida bonneted bat captures and PIT-tagging*
- Monitor bat houses for occupancy and maternity season timing
- Conduct vegetation surveys
- Deploy ultrasonic detectors to non-invasively record bat echolocation and learn how to process acoustic data
- Assist with collection of hair samples from bear hair corrals
- Deploy and retrieve camera traps for mink, panthers, skunks, weasels and deer
- Process and tag camera trap photos of Florida’s mammals
- Work with a scat detection dog for mammal surveys and training
- Work with regional biologists on non-mammal projects:
- Conduct surveys for imperiled bird species (salt marsh songbirds, wading birds, and/or shorebirds)
- Conduct surveys and management to benefit imperiled crayfish
- Record data onto datasheets, enter data into databases
- Maintain and safely store field equipment
Successful candidates should:
- Have an interest in Florida’s mammals and wildlife research and management
- Hold a valid Driver’s License and clean driving record
- Be comfortable working in remote locations at night, often in adverse conditions (high heat and humidity, flying and biting insects, or poor weather conditions should they arise)
Qualifications:
- All applicants must be a recent or expected high school graduate, or 1-2 year college student by the time of internship start. (Applicants at the Junior or beyond years of study, see other opportunities)
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
- Willingness to learn.
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills.
- Good written and oral communication.
- A passion for and interest in science. Prior learning or experience is not required.
- Must be eligible to work in the U.S. including having a valid social security card.
Women and students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups are encouraged to apply.
Application Package
Applicants must complete the application package and submit to the intern coordinator, including:
- A cover letter expressing interest in the specific opportunity being applied for; include:
- Opportunity #,
- why the position is of interest,
- what you hope to gain from it,
- why you feel you are a good candidate,
- dates, days, and hours you are available to work,
- your current year of study, and
- the date you are available to start work.
- Multiple applications are allowed but a separate application must be submitted for each opportunity of interest.
- A letter of support from a past or current teacher of why you are a good candidate for the program (include contact information for this reference).
- A resume that includes information on experience OR abilities including hobbies, interests, recreational activities.
Submission Deadline
- Deadline to apply: March 30, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
This position is paid at an hourly rate of $15/hour.
Housing is not provided.
College credit is possible. Candidates are responsible for checking with your department advisor at your home institution.
Please submit application items as an e-mail attachment to:
Interns@MyFWC.com. Indicate “Eells Research Internship” in the subject line.
If electronic submission is not possible, hard copies can be mailed to:
Internship Coordinator “Eells Research Internship”
FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Avenue SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701-5020
Funding is being provided by the nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
Additional Opportunities
Visit the Steidinger Scholars page for additional opportunities.