MU Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

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Diagnostic Serology/Virologist

Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor – Diagnostic Serology/Virology (NTT)

Job Description

The University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is seeking a qualified candidate for a diagnostic serology position. This full-time faculty appointment will be hired at the level of either Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor (Non-Tenure Track). Academic rank will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and career aspirations. The VMDL is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is also a Level 1 lab in the USDA National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) and a Tier 1 lab in the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN). In addition to providing timely, relevant, and cost-effective diagnostic services, the VMDL supports a strong learning environment for students and trainees and fosters excellence in teaching and research.

The Serology section offers 65 plus immunological tests for the diagnosis and surveillance of diseases. Annually, the section handles approximately 6,000 accessions and performs over 55,000 diagnostic tests to detect antigens or antibodies in specimens as evidence of bacterial, viral, fungal, prion, and protozoal infections in companion animals, horses, livestock, poultry, and wildlife.

The successful candidate will serve as Serology section leader, teach diagnostic Serology/Immunology to veterinary students and residents, conduct independent and collaborative research, and serve on university committees.

Title: Assistant or Associate Clinical Professor, FTE: 1.0

Term of Appointment: 12 months

Tenure Status: NTT (Clinical Track)

Type: Ranked

Home Department: Veterinary Pathobiology/Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

Responsibilities:

1) Teaching: 0.10 FTE. Responsibilities include teaching diagnostic Serology portion of the Veterinary Pathology and Special Species Medicine course to veterinary students who rotate through the VMDL as part of their clinical training (4-5 lectures per rotation, 8 rotations per year), training Clinical Microbiology residents, and participating in clinical and diagnostic rounds and journal clubs.

2) Service: 0.70 FTE (split between diagnostic service 0.60 FTE and university 0.10 FTE).

Diagnostic Service: The major commitment of this position is providing comprehensive diagnostic services to University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center, non-MU veterinary clinics, agricultural industry, government agencies, livestock owners, and companion animal owners. The Serology section offers 65 plus immunological tests for the diagnosis and surveillance of diseases. Annually, the section handles approximately 6,000 accessions and performs over 55,000 diagnostic tests to detect antigens or antibodies in specimens as evidence of bacterial, viral, fungal, prion, and protozoal infections in companion animals, horses, livestock, poultry, and wildlife.  The faculty in this position is expected to serve as Section Leader. Responsibilities include managing Serology section operations, ensuring accurate and timely testing of specimens, maintaining a stringent quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program to meet the requirements of AAVLD accreditation, NAHLN certification, and NPIP certification. Specific tasks include supervising three to four full-time staff members and 15-20 seasonal workers from mid-November to January each year, directing the section QA/QC activities, ensuring the successful completion of proficiency tests required for regulatory testing of various diseases, performing  high complex diagnostic tests, reviewing test results, coordinating and finalizing cases involving the serology section,  answering clients’ questions, collaborating with state agencies, and engaging producers. 

University Service: The faculty in this position is expected to serve on University, College, Departmental Committees and represent the University with pertinent professional organizations. 

4)  Research: 0.2 FTE. Conducting independent research aimed at enhancing laboratory diagnostic programs and technologies and/or collaborative biomedical research aimed at improving animal health and public health.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

  • Candidate must hold a DVM or equivalent degree or a PhD in a relevant field (e.g., microbiology, immunology, and/or public health).

Candidates will be evaluated on:

  • Preference will be given to candidates with three or more years of experience in an AAVLD-accredited laboratory.
  •  Candidates should possess strong communication skills and passion for diagnostic service.
  • Candidates for an associate clinical professor appointment should have a record of excellence in diagnostic serology/virology teaching, service, and a documented record of scholarship.

Application Materials

Interested individuals should submit a letter of intent stating career goals and current expertise, a curriculum vitae, and the names, mailing addresses, and contact information for three references.

Application materials and CV must be submitted online at https://hrs.missouri.edu/find-a-job 

Please contact Dr. Kei Kuroki, search committee chair, with any questions.

Email: kurokik@missouri.edu

Phone: (573) 882-6811

Application Deadline

Screening and review of applications shall begin immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Community Information

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year.  If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.  For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits. 

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.

Lab Sections

  • Anatomic Pathology
  • Avian Pathology
  • Bacteriology & Mycology
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Histopathology
  • Serology
  • Analytical Chemistry and Toxicology
  • Molecular Diagnostics

Message from the Director

The University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (VMDL) is a full-service veterinary diagnostic laboratory and Missouri’s only laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The VMDL is a Level I Lab of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, Tier I Lab of the FDA Veterinary Laboratory Response Network, and a National Poultry Improvement Plan authorized lab. The VMDL maintains an effective quality assurance and quality control program.

The VMDL has formal anatomical pathology, clinical pathology, and clinical microbiology training programs. The VMDL faculty hold academic appointments in the Departments of Veterinary Pathobiology and Veterinary Biomedical Sciences. The director is administratively responsible to the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine for the overall operation of the laboratory and its multiple missions of public service, teaching, research and continuing education/extension.

The VMDL faculty and staff work diligently to provide relevant, timely and cost-effective diagnostic services to our clients and to create a positive learning environment for our students and residents. In 2024, veterinarians, animal owners and researchers from 103 Missouri counties and cities, as well as from 51 states and provinces outside Missouri, continued to rely on the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (VMDL) diagnostic services. The lab performed approximately 63,500 total cases and conducted nearly 204,500 tests.

About the MU VMDL

The VMDL is a full-service laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD). The VMDL provides in-depth laboratory diagnostic support to veterinary practitioners, livestock and poultry industry interests, companion animal interests, wildlife conservationists, scientists utilizing animals in their research throughout the university, state and regulatory officials, and clinicians of the MU Veterinary Health Center.

Our Location

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901 E. Campus Loop
Columbia, MO 65211

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Links

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