The School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) is seeking applications for a Director of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center. This 12-month (calendar year) tenured/tenure-track appointment will also hold an appointment as an associate or full professor. The apportionment is 100% administrative. This position will be located in Lincoln, Nebraska at the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center (NVDC).

As Director of the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center, the incumbent leads the Center through day-to-day management and supervision, and engagement in diagnostic activities. The incumbent also contributes to the integrated (extension, research, and teaching) land-grant mission of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences and IANR, as an effective scholar and citizen, including supporting student recruitment and IANR science literacy.

The director promotes excellence in all facets of the NVDC by:

Maintaining and fostering an inclusive culture within the Center in which all contributions to the team are appreciated and recognized, collaboration and innovation are encouraged, and the abilities of all are engaged to fully realize the potential of the team, and of each team member.
Managing financial and physical resources responsibly to maximize the effectiveness of those resources, exhibiting fiscal discipline and transparency, and utilizing best fiscal management practices.
Ensuring opportunities are open to all, programs are inclusive of all constituencies, and efforts are made to engage diverse audiences, especially those that are traditionally underrepresented.
Synthesizing a vision for the Center with input from faculty, staff, and stakeholders that encompasses all facets of the Center, seeks and deploys personnel and financial resources strategically, and is continuously examined for relevancy and refreshed as needed.
Fostering linkages with internal and external groups to strengthen ties with commodity organizations, private companies, state, federal, and local agencies, and Nebraskans.
Communicating with transparency and clarity to faculty, staff, students, and stakeholders.
Engaging in professional development to continually hone skills to effectively lead and manage Center operations and initiatives, to assume a portion of the diagnostic workload of the Center, and to advance the mission of the Center.
Leading and ensuring NVDC compliance with American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians (AAVLD) and National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) requirements to maintain accreditation.
Ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations regarding safety, environment, handling and disposing of hazardous wastes, and biosafety.
Ensuring all programs of the department/Center are administered in accordance with the University’s Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Diversity programs.

As appropriate to the appointment and as determined in consultation with the SVMBS director, the incumbent engages in diagnostic activities; develops a high-impact, recognized diagnostic program; seeks and establishes effective disciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations including effective integration with research groups, extension action teams, and educational programming; connects with stakeholders, agency, and industry partners to strengthen programming; effectively obtains and leverages external and internal support (grants, fee revenue, etc.) for diagnostic, research, extension, and teaching activities; participates in scientific meetings and other appropriate professional activities; and translates research-based information into learner-centered products. This includes creating scholarly, innovative, and high-impact learning programs and tools; identifying issues and opportunities focused on learner and stakeholder needs and emerging regional and national issues with international relevance; measuring the impact of programs and communicating results to administrators, stakeholders, users, and media; and mentoring colleagues through professional development, translational research, grants, and professional writing. The incumbent will strive to enhance the scholarship of the NVDC faculty associated with service and research.

Administrative Relationships: The incumbent is responsible to the SVMBS Director for all diagnostic activities, administration, subject matter coordination, educational programming and outreach, operating budget, reporting, annual performance appraisal, and expenditure of professional travel funds. The Director of the SVMBS conducts annual performance evaluations of the NVDC faculty in consultation with the NVDC Director. The incumbent accepts committee assignments, reporting responsibilities, and other special ad hoc assignments as requested at the administrative unit, college/division, institute, and/or university level.

Recognizing that diversity within a context of inclusivity enhances creativity, innovation, impact, and a sense of belonging, the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) and the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center are committed to creating learning, research, Extension programming, and work environments that are inclusive of all forms of human diversity. We actively encourage applications from and nominations of qualified individuals from underrepresented groups.

The Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center provides veterinary diagnostic services for many clients and stakeholders across the state of Nebraska. The NVDC also serves many regional and national clients. It offers necropsy, histopathology, virology, bacteriology, serology, molecular diagnostic, and limited clinical pathology services. vbms.unl.edu/nvdc.

Additionally, NVDC serves as a service center providing support and consultation on animal diseases for research faculty throughout the university and state. The NVDC is fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The NVDC is a Level I member laboratory of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network (under USDA APHIS VS). NVDC is approved to conduct surveillance testing for numerous high-consequence pathogens of livestock, horses, and poultry. The NVDC is a member of the FDA CVM’s VET-LIRN Network (www.fda.gov/anima...etwork). The One Health mission is a critical component of NVDC’s mission, and the diagnosticians collaborate with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for rabies, SARS-COV2, and zoonotic pathogen surveillance in animals in the state. A CLIA-licensed human testing laboratory was established in 2021 to support SARS-COV2 surveillance for the campus community to assure a safe environment. To date, over 300,000 tests have been performed.

Required Qualifications

DVM degree (or equivalent)
MS degree and/or Ph.D. degree in a relevant field of study (pathology, microbiology, or related infectious disease or diagnostic disciplines).
Experiences and background that would qualify the candidate to be hired in a tenured or tenure-track position at the rank of associate or full professor.
Five years of experience in veterinary diagnostic laboratory service or relevant work (including practice management, regulatory/policy, finance, or quality management).

Preferred Qualifications
A Ph.D. is the preferred advanced degree in the relevant field of study (pathology, microbiology, or related infectious disease or diagnostic disciplines).

Preferred qualifications also include:

Three years of experience collaboratively instructing veterinary, residents, and/or graduate students.
Board certification in the relevant field.
Eligible to obtain a license to practice in Nebraska with USDA APHIS Category II accreditation.
Experience developing and managing grants and contracts.
Experience managing personnel, budgets, and/or Quality Management Systems.
Experience developing and delivering outreach materials to stakeholders.
A driver’s license or the ability to acquire a driver’s license.

Review of applications begins November 21, 2022 and will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. To view details of the position and create an application, go to employment.unl.edu, requisition F_220167. Click “Apply for this Job” and complete the information form. Attach the following documents:

A letter of interest that describes your qualifications for the job, anticipated contributions, and the value you place on diversity and your anticipated contributions to creating inclusive environments in which every person and every interaction matters (2 page maximum). See ianr.unl.edu/tips-writing-about-commitment-to-deib for guidance in writing this statement.
Your curriculum vitae.
Contact information for three professional references.

As an EO/AA employer, the University of Nebraska considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, and/or political affiliation. See www.unl.edu/equity/notice-nondiscrimination

Debra K Royal
University of Nebraska
Veterinary Diagnostic Center
Quality Control Manager
402-472-8424