Assistant/Associate Professor -Animal Health & Infectious Diseases

Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) School of Veterinary Medicine, in coordination with UMES Extension and the UMES Agricultural Experiment Station, seeks applications for a Veterinarian at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. This position is a twelve-month, tenure-track appointment with an effort distribution of approximately 50% Research and 50% Extension/Service/ Teaching. The position will have multiple reporting responsibilities to the Dean SVM, Director UMES AES, and Administrator UMES Extension. This position emphasizes research and service in the veterinary and animal-health sciences, with a disciplinary focus on one or more of the following areas: infectious diseases, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, immunology, biosecurity, and epidemiology. The successful candidate will build an extramurally funded research program and deliver science-based Extension and diagnostic service that protects animal and public health across the Delmarva Peninsula, the state of Maryland, and beyond, consistent with the School’s One Health mission. The developing School of Veterinary Medicine — the first within Maryland — is committed to advancing the health of animals, humans, and the environment while supporting a thriving regional agricultural economy and expanding diversity in the veterinary profession. The successful candidate will help shape the School’s research and Extension enterprise and contribute to the education of veterinary and graduate students. University Information The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is the 1890 Land-Grant University in Maryland and a historically Black university, located in a rural setting on the Delmarva Peninsula between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay. The major metropolitan areas of Washington, D.C., Baltimore, MD, and Philadelphia, PA, are within easy travel distance. The region is one of the nation’s most important animal‑agriculture areas, anchored by a major commercial poultry industry and a diverse base of small ruminant, cattle, swine, and small‑farm producers. UMES Extension and the university’s 365-acre Research, Extension and Teaching Farm provide an exceptional platform for applied, producer‑engaged scholarship. Salary and Contract Salary Range: $135,000 – $160,000 annually (commensurate with academic rank and experience). Contract type: Twelve-month, tenure-track appointment. Benefits Eligible employees may participate in a variety of benefit plans including: Health insurance, including multiple medical plan options for employees and dependents offered through the State of Maryland Employee Benefits Division. Prescription drug, dental, and flexible spending accounts, and vision coverage. Retirement plans: mandatory enrollment in a state pension system or an Optional Retirement Plan with Fidelity or TIAA, Supplemental Retirement Accounts (TIAA, Fidelity, or MSRP-Nationwide) with $600 annual state match, Life Insurance (state sponsored MetLife, USM sponsored MetLife Plan, life insurance and long-term disability insurance). Tuition remission benefits for eligible employees and, subject to USM policies, spouses and dependents at University System of Maryland institutions. Exempt positions start at 22 days annual per year, sick leave 15 days per year, personal leave 3 days per year, and paid holidays. Employee wellness and support resources and access to the State of Maryland wellness programs. Research Responsibilities (approx. 50%) Develop and sustain an independent and collaborative, extramurally funded research program in one or more focus disciplines — infectious diseases, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, immunology, biosecurity, and/or epidemiology — relevant to the animal industries and public health of the region. Pursue intramural and extramural funding (e.g., USDA-NIFA, NIH, USDA-APHIS, industry, and foundation sources) and demonstrate strong grantsmanship. Publish in peer-reviewed journals and disseminate findings at scientific and industry meetings; contribute to the School’s emerging research infrastructure, including diagnostic and laboratory capacity. Mentor and train graduate and professional (DVM) students and research staff, and collaborate across discipline with School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture, Food and Resource Sciences, and Extension colleagues. Extension / Service / Teaching Responsibilities (approx. 50%) Develop and deliver science-based Extension programs, diagnostic support, and outreach addressing infectious and zoonotic disease, parasitology, biosecurity, disease surveillance, and epidemiology for producers, veterinarians, agency partners, and communities. Provide subject‑matter expertise to state and federal animal‑health agencies, producer organizations, and allied industry; contribute to disease surveillance, biosecurity planning, and emergency preparedness and response for animal‑health events. Develop high-quality educational resources (fact sheets, decision tools, online modules) and build collaborative relationships with UMES Extension, county educators, and regional partners. Support the development and implementation of the new veterinary medical school program through didactic, laboratory, or clinical instruction as assigned. Participate in student learning labs, pre‑veterinary activities, advising, and mentoring; contribute to curriculum development and the School’s accreditation efforts. Provide service to the School, University, profession, and community, and perform other related duties as assigned. Physical Demands May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, and sitting at a desk. May require lifting. May involve work in laboratory, farm, and field settings, including contact with animals and biological samples. Requires communication with a variety of constituents, externally and internally, and operation of a variety of office and laboratory equipment. Required Qualifications Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent professional degree from an accredited institution. An earned or near‑completion graduate degree (Ph.D. or M.S.) and/or advanced training in a relevant discipline (infectious diseases, parasitology, virology, bacteriology, immunology, biosecurity or epidemiology), OR equivalent research training and demonstrated scholarly productivity. Strong evidence of scholarly activity and research productivity, and experience in grantsmanship. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong organizational skills and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently. Excellent written and oral communication skills and the ability to translate science for diverse producer, veterinary, agency, and community audiences. A commitment to animal welfare, biosafety, and ethical research. Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional weekends and holidays as needed for research, service, or emergency animal‑health response. Strong computer skills. Preferred Qualifications Eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Maryland. Board certification relevant to the position (e.g., ACVM, ACVPM, ACPV, or ACVP). A record of extramural grant funding and peer-reviewed publication in one or more focus disciplines. Experience in a veterinary diagnostic laboratory, disease-surveillance, or epidemiology setting. Prior Extension, outreach, or adult-education experience across in-person, virtual, and written modalities. Experience serving small, beginning, or historically underserved farmers and rural communities, and familiarity with the poultry and small-ruminant systems of the Delmarva Peninsula. Right to Work The successful candidate must be able to show acceptable documentation establishing the right to accept employment in the United States of America without employer sponsorship. EEO Statement UMES is an EEO/AA employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of race, age, sex, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or political affiliation. Minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Diversity Statement The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is an equal access, equal opportunity institution fully committed to diversity in education and employment. All students, employees, and the campus community at UMES are valued, respected, and have the opportunity to receive an equitable experience in an inclusive, welcoming environment of openness and appreciation. Title IX Statement It is the policy of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination (including sexual harassment and sexual violence) based on sex in the University’s educational programs and activities. Title IX also prohibits retaliation for asserting or otherwise participating in claims of sex discrimination or harassment. #J-18808-Ljbffr UM04 University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)