The Department of Clinical Sciences at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University invites applications for up to two full-time small animal surgery faculty positions at the associate professor or assistant professor level in the clinical or continuous term (tenure-equivalent) track, depending on the interests of the applicant. One position will be primarily soft tissue surgery, while the other will include both soft tissue and orthopedic surgery. Faculty are expected to contribute to pre-clinical and clinical teaching in the DVM program, to mentor residents, to engage in research and scholarly activity (the amount dependent on the appointment track), and to provide surgery services in the Foster Hospital for Small Animals (FHSA).
The FHSA has a full range of specialties that include diagnostic imaging, anesthesiology, emergency and critical care, internal medicine, neurology, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, and ophthalmology. The emergency and critical service provides 24 hour/7 day a week service and is certified as a Level 1 Trauma Center. The FHSA receives ~35,000 cases per year, providing a robust and varied surgical caseload.
The successful applicants will be part of a team of 5 ACVS diplomates. Following the retirement of two faculty members over the next 8 months, the successful applicants will join 2 orthopedic and 1 soft tissue surgeon. Primary emergency coverage is provided by four surgery residents, with backup support from the faculty surgeons.
The service is supported by intraoperative ultrasound and fluoroscopy, as well as CT, MRI and 2 towers for laparoscopic and thoracoscopic surgery. Current faculty have strengths in orthopedics, arthroscopy, traumatology, minimally invasive osteosynthesis (MIO), corrective osteotomy and joint replacement, cardiothoracic surgery, and urological procedures. We have strong surgical teams in neurology and ophthalmology that complement our surgical service strengths. Minimally invasive procedures are offered by other services.
Cummings School has research strengths in clinical and translational research, supported by a clinical trials office. Areas of strength include musculoskeletal disease, cardiovascular disease, comparative oncology, urology, and others. 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 community. All scholarly activity is valued in the school’s promotions process and the expectations are dependent on the appointment track and assigned time.
We are looking for candidates who are committed to working collaboratively in a team environment. Senior surgical faculty members will be able to provide excellent mentorship. The positions emphasize excellence in DVM student instruction and resident mentoring. Faculty are expected to assist with specialty board review sessions, journal club, and other aspects of resident training, including supervision of resident research projects. Candidates with interests in any area are encouraged to apply. An interest in surgical oncology would be considered an asset.
The distribution of time to position responsibilities is dependent on appointment rank and track. Clinical track appointments will be approximately 32 weeks of clinical activity, 5 weeks of research and scholarly activity, 5 weeks of pre-clinical DVM teaching, and 5 weeks of administrative service. Continuous term track appointments have clinical activity commitments of 26 weeks, research and scholarly commitments of 12 weeks, 4 weeks of pre-clinical DVM teaching, and 5 weeks of administrative service. Vacation and university time off is 5 weeks.
Requirements include a DVM degree or its equivalent and completion of an American College of Veterinary Surgery and/or European College of Veterinary Surgery approved residency. Board certification is required at, or no later than two-years following, the date of hire. Demonstrated interest and aptitude in teaching is required. Demonstrated clinical excellence and the ability to engage in scholarship are expected. Rank (assistant, associate) and track (continuous term or clinical) are dependent on the interests and qualifications of the successful candidates.
Review of applications will begin December 7 and the search will continue until suitable candidates are identified. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their qualifications, research interests, clinical 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 here. For questions about the application process please contact Dr. Leslie Sharkey at Leslie.Sharkey@tufts.edu. Start date is negotiable.
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.
