Faculty Position in Primary Care Surgical Skills

The Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences of Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University invites applicants for an assistant clinical or teaching professor of Small Animal Primary Care, with an emphasis on small animal primary care surgical skills education. We are looking for a faculty member with strong surgical skills who can instruct third- and fourth-year students performing primary care surgeries in the Luke and Lily Lerner Clinic. The successful applicant will also be expected to participate in our expanding clinical skills program and the opportunity to engage in other aspects of the curriculum is available. The opportunity to engage in scholarly activity related to veterinary medical education for individuals with appropriate qualifications and interests will be provided.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine operates six hospitals and clinics, including specialty services, primary care clinics, wildlife, and a large animal field service. The total caseload is over 90,000 cases per year. The successful applicant will work collaboratively with two faculty in the Luke and Lily Lerner Clinic that provides spay, neuter, general surgery, and dental care for animals from shelter and rescue societies in the region and for underserved clients referred from regional practices, include our own emergency service. The new Joseph Kelly, DVM Simulation Laboratory adjacent to the Luke and Lily Lerner Clinic provides excellent opportunities to integrate simulation with live animal teaching. Emphasis is placed on the ability to coach students successfully through common surgical procedures and the ability to instruct students in managing intraoperative and post-operative difficulties. The opportunity to engage in research and scholarship related to veterinary medical education, community practice, or shelter medicine exists.

The initial time dedicated to clinical teaching, including the third-year student spay program and the final year primary care procedures rotations, is expected to be 30 - 32 weeks per year. Approximately 6 - 8 weeks will be committed to clinical skills and other primary care teaching in the first three years, and 4 - 5 weeks will be available for research and scholarly activity. Three weeks of university service is anticipated. Faculty are initially provided 4 weeks of vacation, plus one week of other time off. The university also recognizes 14-15 other holiday or bonus days.

A DVM or equivalent degree, with eligibility for licensure in Massachusetts is required. A least 5 years of small animal primary care surgical experience in private practice, non-governmental organizations, and/or in an academic environment is required. Strong basic surgical skills are required. Previous experience mentoring or teaching students is considered an asset. Emphasis is placed on the ability to coach students successfully through common primary care surgical procedures including but not limited to spay/neuter, and the ability to instruct students in managing intraoperative and post-operative care. Basic knowledge of ultrasound and experience with dentistry, or the willingness to learn, is valued.

Review of applications will begin March 15, and the search will continue until a suitable candidate is identified. Candidates should submit a curriculum vitae and a cover letter describing their qualifications, teaching interests and experience, clinical interests and experience, and their research and scholarly interests. The names, addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references should be provided. Applicants should submit materials through the Interfolio link here: https://apply.interfolio.com/181227. For questions about the application process please contact Dr. Leslie Sharkey (Leslie.sharkey@tufts.edu). Start date is negotiable, but a start date of July 1, 2026 is preferred.

The salary range for assistant professors is $124,000 to $186,000. Tufts University is committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation that reflects each candidate's experience, expertise, responsibilities, and performance. The pay offered within the posted range will be determined based on a variety of factors such as (but not limited to) the individual's education and experience, discipline, rank, internal equity, and budgetary considerations.

Cummings School 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. A virtual tour of the campus is available here. 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. Links to faculty policies and procedures and human resources benefits can be found here.