The Department of Clinical Sciences in Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University invites applications for a full-time faculty position in equine sports medicine and surgery. The successful applicant will provide advanced clinical services in equine sports medicine, including in unsoundness evaluation and management, orthopedic and airway surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and podiatry. Faculty are also expected to contribute to pre-clinical and clinical teaching in the DVM program, to mentor residents and interns, and to engage in research and scholarly activities.
We are seeking an experienced clinician, with the appointment rank (assistant, associate, or full) commensurate with experience. The appointment may be in the professor or clinical professor track, depending on the qualifications and interests of the successful applicant. Both tracks are eligible for appointment with continuous term (tenure-equivalent).
The Hospital for Large Animals (HLA: https://vetmed.tufts.edu/hospital-large-animals) is a full-service hospital with an annual caseload of approximately 2000 cases. Competition and pleasure horses are the majority of the caseload (85%), with the remaining patients primarily comprised of companion small ruminants and swine, and camelids. A field service unit provides ambulatory and food animal services in Woodstock, CT.
The HLA is equipped with an Arthrex Synergy UHD4 arthroscopy system, comprehensive instrumentation for fracture repair and arthrodesis, and intra-operative fluoroscopy. Sophisticated diagnostic facilities include a pulmonary function laboratory, Lameness Locator®, endoscopy, dynamic overground endoscopy, gastroscopy, ultrasonography, computed tomography, 3T MRI, nuclear imaging, an indoor sports-medicine arena, a comprehensive veterinary diagnostic laboratory, and a state-‐of-‐the-‐ art isolation unit. Installation of a Qalibra™ CT providing standing and full-body diagnostics is funded and scheduled for completion in the next 12 months. Available research technologies include large and small animal force plate gait analysis systems, a servo-hydraulic materials testing device, and 3D printing systems.
Our goal is an enthusiastic, team-oriented clinician who will provide outstanding patient care, client care, and service for our referring veterinarians and contribute to our teaching and research missions. The equine sports medicine service is supported by three full-time faculty positions, one of which is vacant. The two current faculty members are ACVSMR board-certifed, and one is also an ACVS Diplomate. Three full-time technicians are dedicated to the service and a team of technicians provides 24-hour medical care to hospitalized animals. Intern and resident training are important components of this position, with one intern and two ACVS residents currently enrolled in the program. Clinical service includes after-hours backup for residents on nights and weekends as part of a faculty rotation when our dedicated emergency clinician is not on service.
Other Hospital for Large Animals specialty services include the General Diagnostic and Surgery Service (GDSS) (emergency, soft tissue, and non-equine cases), Internal Medicine, and Ultrasound. The HLA is supported by outstanding radiology, ultrasound, cardiology, dermatology, ophthalmology, and anesthesiology services.
Current research strengths in equine research include respiratory medicine, clinical pharmacology, pre-clinical orthopedic models, and critical care medicine. School research strengths include musculoskeletal disease, cardiovascular disease, comparative oncology, urology, neurosciences, and infectious disease. There are many opportunities to develop independent or collaborative research projects with faculty on this campus or with researchers on other Tufts campuses and within the New England medical and industry communities. All scholarly activity is valued in the school’s promotions process and the expectations are dependent on the appointment track and assigned time.
The distribution of activities for the position is dependent on appointment rank and track, typically ranging from 4-8 weeks for classroom and laboratory teaching, 4 - 15 weeks for research and scholarly activity, 24 - 35 weeks for clinical activity, and 4 - 8 weeks for administrative service. Vacation and university time off is 5 weeks. Professor track appointments are intended for faculty members who wish to develop a strong independent or collaborative research program supported by external funding, in addition to excellence in clinical and educational activities. Clinical professor track appointments are weighted to clinical and educational activity, but faculty members are still expected to engage in sufficient research and scholarly activity to remain at the forefront of their discipline.
Minimum requirements include a DVM degree or its equivalent and board certification by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) or the European College of Veterinary Surgery (ECVS). Demonstrated clinical excellence is required. Expertise in lameness and airway evaluations, respiratory surgery, arthroscopy and other minimally invasive surgery, and fracture management is required, and board certification by the American College of Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) is desirable. Strong teaching and an appropriate record of research and scholarly activity are expected. We are seeking an individual with demonstrated leadership skills and a reputation for being collegial. Strong written and oral communication skills are required. Previous experience supervising residents and mentorship of junior faculty is considered an asset.
Review of applications will begin August 15thst and the search will be continued until a suitable candidate is identified. Start date is negotiable. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their qualifications, clinical experience and interests, research and scholarly interests, and teaching experience. Please address your strengths/experiences in diversity and inclusion as it relates to teaching, research, and/or service in your cover letter. The names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references should be provided. Applicants should submit materials through the Interfolio link (https://apply.interfolio.com/109953). For questions about the application process, please contact Dr. Leslie Sharkey at Leslie.Sharkey@tufts.edu.
Cummings is situated in Grafton, MA on a 600-acre pastoral campus, forty-five minutes west of Boston and next door to Worcester, the second largest city in Massachusetts. There is a regional rail service stop adjacent to campus and easy access to cultural and sporting events. The campus is a short drive from beautiful beaches, mountains, and other unique features of New England. The area is a hub of biotechnology and higher education. The K-12 education system is excellent. Housing is readily available close to campus or in any number of surrounding towns.
