UConn Careers

JOB SUMMARY

The Department of Pathobiology and Veterinary Science (PVS) in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources (CAHNR), University of Connecticut (UConn), invites applications for a Director for the Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL). The position will be a non-tenure track, clinical faculty position at the rank of Associate or Full Clinical Professor. The appointment includes directing the CVMDL and contributing to departmental teaching.

The CVMDL is a nationally recognized veterinary diagnostic laboratory located on the UConn Storrs campus. It is accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians – 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. The CVMDL 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 Diagnostic Testing Services (DTS) section within the CVMDL manages the coordination and delivery of routine and specialized diagnostic tests.

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 high-quality diagnostic services to clients including 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, including 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 in and expand the CVMDL’s role in 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.
• Pursue opportunities for international or field-based 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 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:

• Participate in the Department's educational mission of undergraduate and graduate teaching.
• Perform University, College, and Departmental services.
• Contribute to a culture of academic and professional excellence through impactful research, teaching, leadership, mentoring, and service that strengthens our commitment to broad engagement and high standards in higher education.

Founded in 1881, UConn 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, our 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 scholarships in areas that include health and environmental sustainability, and offers significant opportunity for cross-disciplinary, collaborative scholarships in several areas including healthy and active communities, shoreline and community resilience, storm water 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.

The position offers competitive support and salary, quality research space, and a dynamic intellectual environment. The University of Connecticut maintains state-of-the-art core facilities that deliver support in several areas including microscopy, imaging, flow cytometry and cell sorting, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, animal maintenance and animal experimentation (https://core.uconn.edu/). The Department and the adjacent research Departments within UConn Colleges and Schools (https://clas.uconn.edu/; https://pharmacy.uconn.edu/; https://www.engr.uconn.edu/) provide a highly interactive scientific community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

1. DVM or equivalent/comparable veterinary degree.
2. Five years of veterinary diagnostic laboratory or closely related veterinary/laboratory work experience, with demonstrated fiscal responsibility.
3. Demonstrated ability to secure external funding in support of diagnostic laboratory activities and programs.
4. Excellent written and oral communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. PhD in pathology, microbiology, immunology, or other field related to the mission of the CVMDL and Department.
2. Additional experience in diagnostic laboratory leadership.
3. Experience in regulatory, policy, and/or quality assurance.
4. Experience in personnel management.
5. Demonstrated leadership and entrepreneurial track record.
6. Professional veterinary board certification (e.g., ACVP, ACVM, etc.).

APPOINTMENT TERMS

This is a full-time, 11-month, non-tenure-track faculty appointment at the Associate or Full Clinical Professor rank, serving as Director of the CVMDL, with the potential to also serve as Section Head of DTS, based on qualifications and departmental needs. The anticipated start date is January 1, 2026.  Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University offers a competitive salary, and outstanding benefits, including employee and dependent tuition waivers at UConn, and a highly desirable work environment.  For additional information regarding benefits visit: https://hr.uconn.edu/health-benefits/.

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 to UConn Jobs at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs Search #499035 to upload the following additional application materials:

• Cover Letter (maximum 2 pages), describing how you meet the qualifications, why you are a strong fit for the role, and how your work will advance CVMDL and departmental goals.
• Curriculum vitae.
• Vision for the CVMDL (maximum 2 pages), outlining plans for sustainability and growth under your leadership.
• Teaching Statement (maximum 1 page), describing your teaching philosophy, instructional experience, and strategies for promoting student learning and engagement.
• Names and contact information for three references.

Evaluation of applicants will begin July 1, 2025, and continue until the position is filled. To ensure full consideration, applications should be received no later than July 31, 2025. 

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

At the University of Connecticut, our commitment to excellence is complemented by our commitment to building a culturally diverse community.

This position will be filled subject to budgetary approval.

All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at http://www.ct.gov/ethics/site/default.asp.

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.