Veterinary Diagnostics Internship

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is seeking an intern for the summer of 2027, from May 17 through Aug. 13, 2027. This internship opportunity will offer the selected candidate hands-on experience in necropsy and ancillary diagnostics as they relate to the department’s mission of protecting livestock health and consumer safety across the state of Tennessee.

Location:

Ellington Agricultural Center

Porter Building

436 Hogan Road, Nashville, TN 37220

Major Duties

Necropsy

• Learn and assist with the performance of livestock and companion animal necropsies.
• Learn and assist with specimen labeling, electronic sample management and intra-laboratory sample movement for ancillary diagnostics.

Ancillary Diagnostics

• Evaluate incoming specimens and associated documentation for completeness and accuracy.
• Subsample and prepare specimens for serology, immunology, molecular and microbiological assays.
• Assist with performance of routine diagnostic testing.

Other duties and special projects may be assigned as needed.

Learning Outcomes

• Gain practical experience supporting livestock and companion animal necropsies.
• Develop familiarity with specimen handling, electronic sample management and laboratory workflow.
• Build foundational exposure to serology, immunology, molecular, microbiological and routine diagnostic testing processes.

Education Requirements

• Applicants must possess a high school diploma and be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or advanced degree program in Animal Science, Pre-Veterinary Medicine, Biology or a closely related field.
• Applicants must be in good academic standing with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Essential Knowledge and Required Skills

• Ideal candidates should be highly organized.
• Familiar with principles of biosafety, biosecurity and chemical hygiene
• Familiar with Microsoft Office
• Comfortable making and accepting phone calls

Comments

• This is a paid internship.
• Some travel may be required.
• This internship is part of the TDA’s central internship program. In addition to regular project work, interns may be expected to participate in internship-specific events and activities that support learning, professional development, department outreach and program engagement.
• All participants in the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Internship Program are required to complete an improvement project within their assigned division. Interns will identify an opportunity for growth, develop a project outline and explain the project’s intended outcomes and contributions to the Department. At the conclusion of the internship term, participants will present their projects to Executive Leadership during a luncheon.
• For more information on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s veterinary diagnostic laboratory, please visit the TDA veterinary diagnostic laboratory webpage.

Working Conditions

• This internship is primarily laboratory-based with the possibility of some work in an office setting.
• There may be optional travel opportunities to shadow Division of Animal Health field staff.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted from Friday, Oct. 9, 2026, through Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026. Applications must be submitted through the Formstack application available on the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s careers page. To be considered for this internship opportunity, you must have the following documents prepared:

• Resume
• Letter of intent
• Most recent transcript
• Two professional letters of recommendation
• DD214 (veteran candidates only)

Questions about this application or any internship opportunity may be directed to Jamye Freeman at Jamye.Freeman@tn.gov.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY THURSDAY, OCT. 29, 2026.