R&D Veterinary Services Intern - Fort Dodge, IA (Summer 2027)

Location: Fort Dodge, IA

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) – it all starts with animals!

As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose – all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.

At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you’ll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.

Making animals’ lives better makes life better – join our team today!

Your Role: R&D Veterinary Services Intern

As a Veterinary Services Intern, you will be part of a team of 5 veterinarians and 2 veterinary technicians overseeing the health and welfare of our research animals at our Fort Dodge R&D site. You will support medical care, clinical studies, and the animal welfare program. You will work cross-functionally with both Research and Development as well as Manufacturing and Quality.

This role offers an exceptional opportunity to build a deep understanding of how animal medicines are developed, regulated, and maintained, and how high-quality animal care underpins R&D and product success.

Your Responsibilities

Work effectively in a highly regulated environment, following applicable policies, procedures, and animal welfare standards

Learn how to develop, manage, and participate in a cohesive animal welfare program

Work with cross-functional teams to support animal health, welfare, and study execution

Support veterinary staff in colony maintenance and clinical case management

Present final project results in an oral presentation summarizing your project objectives, methods, results, and key learnings to R&D colleagues and the intern community.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications)

Education: Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program with a concentration in science (biology, animal science, pre-veterinary) OR currently enrolled in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program (DVM)

Academic Progress: Students must return to a degree seeking program for the fall semester following the completion of the internship.

Technical Skills and Core Competencies

Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with veterinarians, technicians, and cross functional teams

Strong organizational and time management skills

Enthusiasm to learn and grow in a regulated research environment, with an open and curious mindset

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high standards of animal care and documentation

What will give you a competitive advantage (preferred qualifications)

Demonstrated interest in laboratory animal medicine and/or animal welfare

Previous internship experience with a science, pharmaceutical, or animal health background

Additional information

Travel: 10% - to corporate facility in Indianapolis, IN for opening/closing

Location: Fort Dodge R&D  – Fort Dodge, IA (100% On-Site)

Elanco’s Internship Program

Our internship program is designed to give students meaningful, hands-on experience as they kickstart their careers. Internships are project-based and focused on business-critical needs, giving every intern the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on Elanco’s success over the summer. At the heart of the experience is our belief that making life better for animals makes life better.

Internship Dates: May 17th – August 6th, 2027

Competitive Salary: $20-$40/hour (dependent upon major and year in school)

Professional Development: Networking events, assigned mentors, and learning resources are provided.

Housing: Financial support and help securing housing is available

Future opportunities: High-performing interns may be considered for full-time roles or additional internships, based on business needs.

Don’t meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status

Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job‑related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.