Clinical Assistant/Associate/Full Professor of Veterinary Microbiology

Job Description :

The Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (BADDL) and the Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine (CDPM) at the University of Florida-College of Veterinary Medicine (UF-CVM) invite applications for a full time, Clinical Assistant / Associate / Full Professor of Veterinary Microbiology who will also serve as the Microbiology Co-Department Head (Virology and Molecular Biology) at BADDL.

This position is a multi-mission non-tenure track position in the Department of Comparative, Diagnostic, and Population Medicine (CDPM) that is promotable following UF and CVM guidelines.

The position will be headquartered in Kissimmee, Florida and will perform clinical (%) and extension (%) duties at the BADDL.

The candidate will function primarily as a diagnostic microbiologist at BADDL. The diagnostic caseload includes a variety of companion animals, livestock, avian and wildlife species.

Interaction with veterinarians, owners and livestock producers is an integral part of this position. Creative use of diagnostic case material including publication of results in appropriate journals is encouraged.

Additionally, the candidate may have limited opportunities to teach DVM and / or graduate students or engage in research at UF-CVM depending on the candidate’s qualifications and interests.

University and public service through departmental, college and university committee work, participation in professional organizations, continuing education and other appropriate activities is expected.

Duties and Responsibilities

The incumbent serves as the Microbiology Co-Department Head and is responsible for oversight of all diagnostic / clinical and regulatory testing within the Virology and Molecular Sections at BADDL.

The incumbent serves as a technical expert in veterinary microbiology which requires a broad knowledge of animal and zoonotic diseases, and is responsible for the development and validation of test methodologies in the area of responsibility and for presentations at scientific meetings / conferences.

As the supervisor for Virology and Molecular Biology sections at the BADDL, the incumbent supervises virology, and molecular biology sections and all associated tests performed by the sections.

May serve as back-up case-coordinator for sections outside the microbiology department and provide other operational cross-coverage if necessary.

Provides leadership, mentorship, coaching and direction to all direct reports. Trains, directs and supervises all subordinates and ensures policies and procedures are maintained and followed.

Responsible for maintaining and upholding quality assurance and quality control procedures, quality control testing, preventive maintenance and documentation in virology and molecular biology sections, as well as microbiology procedures performed in the biosafety level-3 facility.

Serves as the backup quality assurance coordinator for the microbiology sections and as a member of the quality assurance committee.

Responsible for ensuring that assigned program areas have standard operational procedures (SOPs) and processes which result in accountability and compliance with division and department policies and procedures.

Performs special procedures and assists in developing, validating, and quality controlling test procedures for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms.

Responsible for the EM electron microscopy (EM). The incumbent will analyze, resolve, and troubleshoot day-to-day laboratory tasks as needed, as well as facilitate the resolution of routine technical issues concerning Electron microscopy.

Responsible for maintaining the QA / QC records for EM and following up on the preventative maintenance of the equipment promptly with minimum supervision.

Perform validation of the equipment and develop SOPs for EM with minimum supervision. Determines the supplies and reagents needed for EM and coordinates with the supervisor for ordering supplies.

Prepares concise, accurate reports on each viral and or bacterial agent isolated, which are sent to submitting veterinarians and / or program managers and discusses results with submitters upon consultation with the Bureau Chief / Laboratory Director.

Provides technical information on microbiological testing for incoming calls received.

• Serves as back-up for bio-safety officer, serves on laboratory incident response and laboratory emergency teams, and other special event teams or ad hoc committees as needed.
• Tests and evaluates promising methods. This role will also search for new and improved methods for the isolation and identification of microorganisms, assist in setting up, evaluating, and troubleshooting new techniques, policies, and procedures and assist in the training of new hires and other employees.
• The incumbent is responsible for organizing large volumes of electronic data, information, and electron microscopy images.
• Reviews current scientific literature to search for new or improved techniques for the isolation of viruses and the diagnosis of viral diseases.
• Researches and applies for grant and cooperative agreement opportunities that will benefit Florida’s animal industry and the laboratory in collaboration with the laboratory director.

Monitors, creates and submits data for quarterly and annual reports for existing grants and cooperative agreements. Represents the laboratory in national forums, working groups and associations in areas of expertise relating to the Microbiology Department and BADDL.

• Responsible and accountable for managing the budget and resources (staff, vehicles, computers, cell phones, etc.) of any assigned programs in an efficient and accountable manner.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD), the BADDL provides quality diagnostic services for all animal species, including necropsy, bacteriology, serology, histopathology, virology, parasitology, and molecular diagnostics.

As a national leader and the premier animal disease diagnostic laboratory in the state of Florida, it serves veterinarians, animal owners, livestock and poultry industry, educators and researchers to protect animal and human health.

BADDL processes about , cases each year and conducts more than , tests annually.

The UF-CVM is the seventh ranked College of Veterinary Medicine in the US and is the only one that is part of a top public research university (UF is ranked #6 nationally).

The CVM is located on campus in close proximity to the College of Medicine and numerous other Health Sciences units that provide ample opportunities for translational research and collaboration.

UF aspires to provide an exceptional academic environment that reflects the breadth of thought essential to preeminence and manifests through a community of students, faculty, and staff of diverse experiences and backgrounds.

The university has a student body of over , undergraduate, graduate and professional students, including over , minority students, and 6, international students.

Expected Salary :

Rank and salary will be based upon the successful candidate’s professional qualifications and experience.

Minimum Requirements :

Required qualifications for this position is a DVM or equivalent degree and a PhD in a related discipline from an approved institution.

ACVM board eligibility or certification is required. Experience in diagnostic virology and / or molecular biology is required.

Preferred Qualifications :

The ability to independently sign out cases is preferred. The position is a combination of clinical and extension services, but there may be opportunities for teaching and research at UF-CVM, depending on the qualifications and interests of the candidate.

For those who are interested in research, the ability to establish an extramurally funded research program as demonstrated by previous or current funding is needed.