Program Description

Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health
K. Lisa Yang Wildlife Health Fellows Program
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
Ithaca, NY 

FELLOWSHIP DESCRIPTION:  WILDLIFE PATHOLOGY FELLOW

The Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health strives to sustain a healthier world by developing and implementing proactive, science-based solutions to challenges at the interface of wildlife health, domestic animal health, human health and livelihoods, and the environment that supports us all. With an emphasis on the types of interdisciplinary collaboration often required to foster real progress along the science to policy and action continuum, we work with a diverse range of stakeholders including governments, local communities, nongovernmental organizations, and students in the U.S. and around the world to promote environmental stewardship, build capacity for sustainable change through training and education, and undertake collaborative research and discovery that leads to real-world conservation and related health outcomes. Humanity has brought changes to Earth’s natural systems at a pace and scale that are difficult to overstate – our domination of land and sea has no precedent. If we are to successfully address the challenges of saving wildlife on an increasingly human dominated planet, with species extinctions now one thousand times faster than before our rise, we must recognize that our own health, and that of the global economy, are inextricably linked to our stewardship of the natural world.

The occurrence of unusual or mass mortality events in wildlife is increasing and threatens species conservation and ecosystem integrity. Examples of such events include the sudden mass mortality of approximately 200,000 saiga antelope in Kazakhstan in 2015, attributed to Pasteurella multocida type B triggered by a climatic anomaly. Elsewhere, fatal septicemia associated with an obscure Pasteurella multocida-like bacterium called Bisgaard taxon 45 caused the deaths of 34 elephants in Zimbabwe in 2020 and may explain the deaths of 350 more in neighboring Botswana in the same year. Many more mortality events remain unexplained, including the increase in mortalities affecting greater one-horned rhinoceroses in Chitwan National Park, Nepal, where annual mortalities of between 27 and 36 animals have occurred since 2017.

Many parts of the world lack the surveillance systems required to detect these incidents, as well as the professional and laboratory capacity to investigate their causes. Understanding the etiological factors and conditions responsible for unexplained mortality events is critical to adopting measures that reduce the likelihood of their repetition or the severity of events when they do occur. This is particularly important when wildlife mortality is shaped by human actions, including but not at all limited to climate change, for example through disruption of the physical, biotic (including microbial), and/or chemical environment.

We are seeking a Wildlife Pathology Fellow with specific strengths in international wildlife mortality investigation. As a member of the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health, the new Fellow will assist our team to:

•           Conduct post-mortem examinations on deceased wildlife specimens to determine cause of death.
•        Collect and analyze biological and environmental samples using (for example) histological, microbiological, molecular and  toxicological techniques.
•        Help develop capacity (human and technological) for in-country diagnostics.
•        Collaborate with local wildlife agencies, veterinary services, researchers and other relevant entities to support field investigations and sample collection.
•        Emphasize local capacity-building initiatives by providing training and mentorship to local staff and partners, including the development of contextually relevant training manuals and protocols.
•        Provide expert consultation and advice on wildlife health issues to stakeholders, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic / research institutions.
•        Document findings, prepare comprehensive reports, and present results to internal and external stakeholders.
•        Assist in the development of protocols and standard operating procedures for wildlife mortality investigations.
•        Stay updated on current research and advancements in wildlife pathology and contribute to scientific publications and presentations.
•        Other duties as assigned.

POSITION DETAILS:

The full-time position location is Ithaca, NY, with extensive overseas travel. The fellowship is envisioned as being for up to three years, with the second and third years contingent upon satisfactory performance each prior year. Salary commensurate with experience, within a range established for the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Wildlife Health Fellows Program. The Fellow will have at least two faculty mentors at any given time, one related to the geography of focus for a specific activity, and the other based in the Anatomic Pathology Program. The Director of the Cornell K. Lisa Yang Center for Wildlife Health will also provide fellowship oversight.

REQUIREMENTS:

We are searching for a highly motivated and skilled subject matter expert who has:

• A Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree with specialization in zoo and wildlife pathology.
• Board certification or eligibility in veterinary anatomic pathology (DACVP, DECVP or equivalent).
• Extensive experience (3-5 years preferred) in conducting wildlife pathology investigations, preferably in international settings.
• Proficiency in necropsy techniques and interpretation of gross and histopathological findings.
• Experience in ancillary diagnostics ideally including molecular biology techniques (PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis) and / or ecotoxicology.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and an affinity for working as part of multicultural and interdisciplinary teams, and for training.
• Proven organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and work independently while adhering to tight timelines.
• Prior experience in capacity-building initiatives, training, and/or mentorship programs.
• Flexibility to travel for fieldwork assignments (approximately 60-75% travel, mostly but not exclusively internationally). A travel / supplies budget is provided.
• Commitment to wildlife conservation and a passion for protecting biodiversity.

TARGET START DATE:  Fall 2024

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: All components of the application must be submitted through Academic Jobs Online https://academicprogramsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27373. Interested applicants should submit: (1) a curriculum vitae, (2) a letter of interest, including a brief description of how this position relates to their career plans, and (3) the names (and contact information) of four references.

The salary range for this position is $65,000-$110,000 and will be commensurate with academic credentials and experience.

Questions can be directed to Dr. Steve Osofsky (s.osofsky@cornell.edu). Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received by May 31st, 2024.