Description

Director, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, and Associate or Full Professor, Pathobiology and Veterinary Science

INTRODUCTION

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science (PVS) in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR) at the University of Connecticut (UConn) invites applications for a Director for the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL), and tenure-track faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Professor. The appointment includes directing the CVMDL, maintaining an active research program, and contributing to departmental teaching. This position will be hired at either the Associate Professor or Full Professor rank dependent upon the incumbent’s experience, skills, and abilities as determined by the University. 

The CVMDL (https://cvmdl.uconn.edu/) is a nationally recognized veterinary diagnostic laboratory located on the UConn Storrs campus. It is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) – the only veterinary diagnostic laboratory in New England with this accreditation – which certifies the laboratory’s quality and competence through a rigorous Quality Management System. It is a member of national and regional laboratory groups, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN), the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LiRN), and the New England Wildlife Disease Cooperative (NWDC), and is a National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) authorized laboratory.

The CVMDL holds a Level 2 NAHLN status and handles over 90,000 diagnostic specimens and more than 2,000 pathology cases annually. These pathology cases are diverse, encompassing specimens from livestock, companion animals, zoos, aquariums, wildlife, and laboratory animal species.

In recent years, CVMDL has made significant investments exceeding $2 million in facility and equipment upgrades. These enhancements include improvements to the Histology and Necropsy units, the addition of a Next Generation Sequencing laboratory, expanded capacity in the Molecular Diagnostics section, and the incorporation of a Bruker MALDI-TOF system in the Microbiology section.

The CVMDL provides top-quality diagnostic services to its clients, who are comprised of veterinarians, members of the agricultural industry, owners of companion, zoo, and aquatic animals, stewards of Connecticut wildlife, and residents of Connecticut, New England, and beyond. The CVMDL strives to work cooperatively with federal and state veterinary agencies to enhance disease surveillance and response. The successful candidate will provide dynamic leadership to the CVMDL, engage key stakeholders, which include federal and state agencies, develop new programmatic initiatives, and expand its partnerships and collaborations within the Department, University, State and beyond. Specifically, the Director will:

• Oversee the successful and timely delivery of veterinary diagnostic and necropsy services.
• Supervise and mentor the activities of faculty, staff, and students working or studying in the CVMDL.
• Ensure quality service complying with accreditation and membership standards of AAVLD, NAHLN, NPIP, and Vet-LiRN.
• Liaise with state and federal veterinarians and agencies on animal health and zoonotic diseases, providing professional expertise, diagnostic support, and the timely reporting of results.
• Assess and expand CVMDL offerings to address evolving markets, technologies, and needs.
• Develop and nurture active relationships with key partners in industry, foundations, government, and other stakeholders with the objective of building relationships that support new strategic initiatives.
• Enhance the research and development activities of the laboratory to improve and advance diagnostic technology.
• Provide oversight of CVMDL budgetary activities, including securing external funding to support the activities and programs of CVMDL.
• Engage and expand the role of the CVMDL on Extension, communicating technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences such as clients, community members, and media.
• Align research interests (including grantsmanship and publications) with CVMDL diagnostic caseload.
• Consider opportunities to engage in international/field activities, such as foreign animal disease surveillance, for which the lab is approved.
• Ensure compliance with all university, state, and federal policies.

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science (https://pathobiology.cahnr.uconn.edu/) is the leading infectious disease and diagnostic unit on the Storrs campus. The department’s research focuses on the pathogenesis of infectious diseases, medical microbiology (bacteriology and virology), pathology, and immunology. It is home to the CVMDL and the Center of Excellence for Vaccine Research (CEVR). The department undergraduate major offers a Pre-Health concentration for professional careers (Veterinary, Medical, Dental, and Physician Assistant schools), a Global Health concentration for students with an interest in Public Health and One Health careers, and a Medical Biotechnology concentration for students interested in careers with the biomedical/biotech industry, as well as research hospitals and medical centers. As a faculty member, the successful candidate will:

• Establish and maintain a vigorous extramural research program in disciplines such as molecular diagnostics, host-pathogen interactions, or other aspects of veterinary infectious diseases that relate to the functions of the CVMDL and existing areas of expertise within the Department.
• Participate in the Department's educational mission of undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Perform University, College, and Departmental services.
• Contribute to building an equitable and diverse scholarly environment in research, teaching, leadership, mentoring, life experiences, or service that will bolster our commitment to engagement and inclusion of culturally diverse audiences in higher education (https://diversity.uconn.edu/).

Founded in 1881, UConn (https://uconn.edu/) is a Land Grant and Sea Grant institution and member of the Space Grant Consortium. It is the state’s flagship institution of higher education and includes a main campus in Storrs, CT, four regional campuses throughout the state, and 14 Schools and Colleges, including the Ratcliffe Hicks School of Agriculture (https://rhsa.uconn.edu/), a Law School in Hartford and Medical and Dental Schools at the UConn Health campus in Farmington. The University has approximately 10,000 faculty and staff and over 32,000 students, including 24,000 undergraduates and 8,000 graduate and professional students. UConn is a Carnegie Foundation R1 (highest research activity) institution, among the top public universities in the nation.

The University serves as a beacon of academic and research excellence as well as a center for innovation and social service to communities. The University prioritizes scholarship in areas that include health and environmental sustainability and offers significant opportunities for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarship in several areas including healthy and active communities, shoreline and community resilience, stormwater management and green infrastructure, sustainable cities, landscape ecology, multi-modal transportation, and digital visualization and spatial analytics. UConn has been recognized as one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly campuses by a national publication of Sierra magazine. Through research, teaching, service, and outreach, UConn embraces diversity and inclusion and cultivates leadership, integrity, and engaged citizenship in its students, faculty, staff, and alumni.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• DVM or equivalent/comparable veterinary degree.
• Academic credentials, including scholarly publication, grant records, and excellence in teaching, commensurate with the rank of Associate or Full Professor, that will qualify the individual to be tenured.
• Five years of veterinary diagnostic laboratory or closely related veterinary/laboratory work experience, with demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in pathology, microbiology, immunology, or other field related to the mission of the CVMDL and Department.
• Additional experience in diagnostic laboratory leadership.
• Experience in regulatory, policy, and/or quality assurance.
• Experience in personnel management.
• Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial track record.
• Professional veterinary board certification.

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 9-month tenure-track faculty appointment supplemented with 1 additional month for serving as CVMDL Director. The anticipated start date is August 23, 2025.  Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position offers competitive support and salary, quality research space, and a dynamic intellectual environment.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check.

TO APPLY

Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Search #498793 and submit the following application materials:

• A Cover Letter, addressing how the applicant meets the minimum and preferred qualifications, why the applicant is the best fit for the position, and how the work at UConn will contribute to the CVMDL and department priorities.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Vision for the CVMDL, 2 pages maximum (describing how plans for sustainability and growth under your leadership).
• Research Statement, 2 pages maximum (describing your scientific contributions and future research program).
• Teaching Statement, 1 page maximum (including teaching philosophy, teaching experience, commitment to effective learning, etc.).
• Diversity Statement, 1 page maximum (including broadening participation, integrating multicultural experiences in instruction and applying effective pedagogical techniques to meet the needs of diverse learning styles).
• Names and contact information for three references.

Evaluation of applicants will begin February 14, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Inquiries about the position should be directed to the search committee chair, Dr. Sylvain De Guise (sylvain.deguise@uconn.edu).

All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community.

The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce.  The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner.  This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all.  We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same.  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer.