Title: SCWDS Student Worker
Department: VetMed-Wildlife Disease Study
Posting Number: Subject to change

Position Summary: 

The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS) is a state and federal cooperative wildlife health research unit in the Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia. As a regional cooperative, SCWDS is involved in a diversity of projects: wildlife mortality investigations, pathogen surveillance, vector surveillance, and applied wildlife health research projects. On an as-needed basis, SCWDS seeks applications for student workers for up to 20 hours/week/student. Specific duties are diverse and will vary depending on current project needs and time of year, but may include: assistance with laboratory and facility organization; laboratory maintenance, stocking, and cleaning; laboratory identification of arthropod vectors; assistance with clerical activities and report preparation; and departmental vehicle maintenance. This position may also assist faculty and staff with laboratory processing of diagnostic and/or research samples, field research and surveillance activities, and wildlife mortality investigations. The student should demonstrate a willingness to learn and an interest in conservation and wildlife health. No prior experience is needed, although basic experience in microbiology, entomology, and/or wildlife biology is preferred.

These positions are open periodically, depending on needs. Please check UGAJobs for active postings.

Interested candidates should contact Betsy Kurimo-Beechuk ([email protected]).

Title: SCWDS Necropsy Technician
Department: VetMed-Wildlife Disease Study
Posting Number: S13368P

Position Summary: 

The main objective of the position is to support diagnostic investigations of wildlife mortality at the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS). Causes of mortality may include viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, toxicoses, traumatic injury, malnutrition, and others. The primary focus is to support the SCWDS Research and Diagnostic Service, which may also include surveillance efforts. The technician will be responsible for various stages of diagnostic case completion as well as aspects of surveillance and research projects. The technician is responsible for receiving and logging in carcass and tissue submissions, performing gross necropsy examinations, collection of tissue samples for ancillary diagnostic testing, ensuring sample submission and receipt of results, and performing additional diagnostic related tasks such as working with veterinary hospital staff to take radiographs and trimming formalin-fixed tissues for histopathology. The technician is responsible for shipping carcasses, coolers, and associated samples to outside laboratories. The technician is responsible for assisting with organization of stored/archived samples, disposal of carcasses and samples, ensuring cleaning and disinfection of the necropsy room, instruments and equipment, maintaining adequately stocked supplies for the necropsy and trimming rooms, and archiving specimens. The technician is responsible for diagnostic report preparation, maintaining records in an online medical system as well as in excel spreadsheets, including freezer inventories and research and surveillance activities. The technician may assist in training and overseeing activities of work study and volunteer students and in orientation of SCWDS externs and other visiting students. They may participate in the development of protocols for wildlife mortality investigations, including logistical arrangements for field studies, acquisition of biological specimens and ecological data, supportive lab work, and data entry and management. The technician will work closely with, and in support of, the Necropsy Lab Manager, Head Pathologist, and others. Usual work hours are 8:00am -5:00pm; however, shifting hours to evening and weekend work may occasionally be required to accommodate certain tasks. The technician may also assist in preparation of technical documents (e.g., quarterly and annual reports), newsletter articles, funding proposals, presentations, and manuscripts.

This position will remain open until filled but target start date is May 17, 2025. Please see the link above for a complete position description and to apply.  Please direct questions to Tori Andreasen ([email protected]) or Mark Ruder ([email protected]).

The Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, the University of Georgia (https://vet.uga.edu/pathology) in conjunction with the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study (SCWDS, https://vet.uga.edu/scwds), has an available residency training position in anatomic pathology, with wildlife emphasis (https://vet.uga.edu/education/intern-residency-programs/pathology-residency-program/), beginning July 1, 2026. This intensive, comprehensive, 3-year residency training program is designed to meet the eligibility requirements for the certifying examination of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP); opportunities for transition into a graduate degree (PhD or MS) program are also available. The incoming resident will join a team of 9 residents and a diverse faculty, including 1 certified fish pathologist and 23 ACVP diplomates, with expertise in domestic, aquatic, avian, exotic, wildlife, and laboratory animal pathology. Wildlife pathology experience is focused on SCWDS’s robust caseload. Residency training is augmented by necropsy experience in conjunction with the AAVLD-accredited Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, surgical biopsy service to the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital and private veterinary practices, and rotations in the Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service. Case-based learning is supplemented with several courses in histopathology, general pathology, and specialty areas (e.g., avian, fish, and laboratory animal pathology). Teaching in the professional curriculum, participation in seminars, presentations at national meetings, and manuscript publication are also expected of the resident.

The starting salary is $45,900 per year plus tuition support and travel support to regional and national meetings, including training courses. Applicants must possess a DVM or equivalent degree, must be United States citizens or be eligible for lawful admission to the United States (F-1 visa sponsorship may be available for qualified candidates), and must provide evidence of academic strength and interest in anatomic and wildlife pathology.

Top candidates will be asked to participate in phone, videoconference, and/or in-person interviews. Applications submitted by September 15, 2025, are assured consideration. Select applicants will be offered video-based interviews in October. For further information contact Dr. Elizabeth Howerth ([email protected]) or Dr. James Stanton ([email protected]).

The following residency application materials must be sent electronically to Ms. Amanda Wages ([email protected]): curriculum vitae, personal statement (please include professional goals and explain why you are a good candidate for the wildlife-emphasis program), and unofficial veterinary school transcripts. Each file should be labeled with the applicant’s last name and file contents (e.g., Stanton_CV.pdf). Three letters of reference are also required, but they may be emailed separately. For the application to be considered, concurrent application to the UGA Graduate School for summer 2026 (including unofficial veterinary school transcripts) for the Certificate in Veterinary Pathology Program (Residency in Pathology) must also be submitted through the Graduate school website (http://grad.uga.edu/admissions/requirements/) by September 15, 2025.

The University of Georgia is located in Athens, a vibrant community of 100,000 located in the wooded Piedmont hills of northeast Georgia. Offering the amenities of a cosmopolitan city, the surrounding area also offers a wide variety of lifestyle choices. Athens is located 1½ hours from Atlanta, two hours from the Appalachian Trail, and four hours from the Atlantic coast. The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.