Working/Functional Title
Assist/Assoc Professor Health Programs Fixed Term
Position Summary
The successful candidate will redevelop our neurology team that currently includes one service-dedicated veterinary nurse and one service-dedicated veterinary assistant. The neurology service has a dedicated operating room and advanced digital preoperative planning and intraoperative capabilities, including a newly acquired BrainSight neuronavigation platform. A comprehensive array of dedicated instrumentation is available with minimally invasive techniques being supported by 3 intra-operative fluoroscopy units. The neurology service works collaboratively with all other clinical services including Anesthesia, Emergency and Critical Care, Oncology, Internal Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Cardiology, Soft Tissue Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Rehabilitation, Radiology, Interventional Radiology, Theriogenology and Primary Care services.
The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences comprises over 40 faculty providing outstanding patient care with a superb team of highly qualified veterinary nurses. Our teaching hospital, the Veterinary Medical Center, is equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities including 10 operating suites, operating microscope, minimally invasive laparoscopy/thoracoscopy, 64 slice helical CT, digital cinefluoroscopy unit, intra-operative C-arm, nuclear medicine, linear accelerator, video endoscopy, renal replacement therapy, and ventilator support. A newly acquired Philips MR 7700 3.0 Tesla MRI offers state-of-the-art imaging facilities. In addition, diagnostic support for the VMC is provided by the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, that perform over a million diagnostic tests per year on ~180k cases and provides a rich resource for collaborative research opportunities. Furthermore, an NIH-funded Center for Excellence in Imaging & Image-Guided Therapies, and the Clinical Innovations Program, are two new developments that provide further support for our clinical faculty.
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include management of referral and internal neurology cases, clinical instruction of house-officers and students, participation in didactic pre-clinical teaching, and committee assignments. Assignments of clinical service, teaching, and scholarly activity are negotiable with the Department Chairperson. Annual merit evaluations, and promotions are based on the faculty member’s performance within these assignments.
The role of the successful applicant will encompass clinical service, education, and research/scholarly activity. The amount of time dedicated to each of these endeavors is flexible and will be geared towards the interests, strengths, and qualifications of the applicant. Health Programs (HP) appointments are unique to Michigan State University and are predicated on the need to enhance programs in clinical education, patient care services and clinical research. Health Programs (HP) appointments emphasize clinical service and teaching, although these positions are flexible to allow ample time for research and scholarly activity. Both tenure system and HP appointments are expected to contribute to preclinical and clinical education of veterinary students, interns, and residents. Health Programsppointments are unique to Michigan State University Colleges of Human, Osteopathic, Veterinary Medicine, and Nursing and were created to enhance programs in clinical education, patient care services, and clinical research. HP faculty appointed in the Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences typically have 50-70% clinical assignments devoted to clinical and pre-clinical instruction, patient care services, and the general administrative efforts of the Department and College. In addition, HP faculty are expected to be active in research and other scholarly endeavors. A complete description of the Michigan State University HP system is available at Health Programs Faculty Appointment System Handbook (msu.edu).
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Applicants must have a DVM/VMD (or equivalent degree). Eligibility for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Michigan (Clinical Academic Limited licensure and Controlled Substance licensure are available). Diplomate status (DACVIM Neurology or ECVN) is preferred but candidates with certifying examination eligibility will also be considered.
Minimum Requirements
Applicants must have a DVM/VMD (or equivalent degree). Eligibility for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Michigan (Clinical Academic Limited licensure and Controlled Substance licensure are available). Diplomate status (DACVIM Neurology or ECVN) is preferred but candidates with certifying examination eligibility will also be considered.
Desired Qualifications
Diplomate certification (DACVIM Neurology or ECVN) is preferred over those who are board-eligible
Required Application Materials
- Letter of Intent/Cover Letter:
A letter of intent highlighting specific strengths related to this position, overall related qualifications, experience, accomplishments and career goals, research interests and funding history.
Your most recently updated CV
Full names and contact information (phone/email) of three (3) individuals to serve as professional references.
- Diversity Statement:
Statement on your commitment to diversity.
Diversity is defined as the state or quality of being different and as individuals we are all uniquely different. To be an inclusive campus is to respect and value differences. We embrace people from all backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints.
Special Instructions
Interested individuals desiring more information are encouraged to contact Dr. Rob Sanders, Search Committee Chair, by e-mail: ras@msu.edu
Review of Applications Begins On
11/01/2026
Summary of Health Risks
Works with animals and unfixed animal tissue.
Website
https://cvm.msu.edu/scs
Department Statement
We believe veterinarians make the world a better place. The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (SCS) is committed to educating the next generation of veterinary professionals, conducting research that improves the lives of animals and humans, and bringing our skills and knowledge together to provide the best clinical services available.
The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences offers graduate programs through the Comparative Medicine and Integrative Biology program, a residency program, a DVM degree, a veterinary technician program, and specialty continuing education for practicing veterinarians.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
