Assistant Professor, Small Animal Surgical Oncology, Clinician Educator

Assistant Professor, Small Animal Surgical Oncology, Clinician Educator

Location:
Philadelphia, PA, United States
Open Date:
Oct 8, 2026
Description:
The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine, Section of Comprehensive Cancer Care invites qualified individuals to apply for an open faculty position in the Clinician Educator (CE) track in Small Animal Surgical Oncology at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Applications are currently being accepted, and the start date is negotiable.  

 

The successful candidate is expected to have history of or potential as an exemplary clinician, educator and researcher and excel as an academic leader in their field. Members of faculty in the CE track perform 29 weeks of clinical patient care (up to a 60% clinical commitment) which includes clinical service in surgical oncology and sharing backup on-call for surgery in the Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital. Teaching duties include both clinical and didactic teaching of veterinary students, interns, and residents in oncologic and soft tissue surgery. The CE faculty member is expected to contribute to their field through scholarship that brings new knowledge and advances their field. The remaining commitment for CE faculty members is to establish a productive clinical research program that will lead to advancements in their field. Support for clinical research within the Department and the School is excellent. 

 

The University of Pennsylvania offers an outstanding environment for surgical research, as collaborative research opportunities abound within the School of Veterinary Medicine and the wider Penn research community. The successful candidate will enjoy a wealth of opportunities that will enable the fulfillment of these responsibilities in a highly collaborative, outstanding clinical environment within a busy academic teaching hospital. The Section of Comprehensive Cancer Care employs multiple members of faculty in direct support of the program, including four medical oncologists and two radiation oncologists. House officers include six medical oncology residents, two radiation oncology interns and a clinical trials intern. Seven surgery residents spend a minimum of 6 weeks each year in surgical oncology and 14 rotating interns spend a minimum of 2 weeks in the oncology service. Sixty-eight boarded specialists support the section of Comprehensive Cancer Care, including minimally-invasive surgery, interventional radiology, 2 clinical pathologists, and 4 anatomic pathologists. Oncology clinicians enjoy the benefits of the Rosenthal Imaging and Treatment Center, including multi-slice CT, MRI, a Varian linear accelerator with IMRT capability, as well as the recently renovated Richard Lichter emergency room and state-of-the-art Advanced Dentistry and Oral Surgery Suite.  

 

Adjacent to the veterinary hospital are three world-class biomedical hospitals and research centers, which provide excellent opportunities for collaboration: The Perelman School of Medicine, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the Wistar Institute. The PennVet Cancer Center, launched in 2017, connects our clinicians to researchers at these surrounding centers for a collaborative approach to advance global cancer research (www.vet.upenn.edu/research/centers-laboratories/center/penn-vet-cancer-center). 

 

The University provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which includes multiple options for retirement savings and tuition benefits for the candidate’s spouse or dependent children. Philadelphia is a vibrant, historic, and welcoming city that is home to world-class museums, award-winning restaurants, diverse neighborhoods, and a thriving arts scene. The city offers endless opportunities for exploration and enrichment with easy access to New York and Washington DC, as well as the mountains and the shore (www.upenn.edu/life-at-penn/philadelphia). With extensive parks and green spaces, including the nation’s largest urban park system, Philadelphia offers a high quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts, families, and young professionals alike. 

Qualifications:

Candidates must have a veterinary degree and be board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons or successfully completed an accredited surgical residency and are preparing for board-certification. The candidate must demonstrate expertise in surgical oncology. Fellowship training is highly desirable, with the goal of establishing a Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program. Salary will be commensurate with professional and academic credentials and experience.

Application Instructions:
Applications will be accepted immediately and reviewed until an appropriate candidate is identified. A signed non-competition agreement is required for all faculty hires at Penn Vet. Interested applicants should apply online at (http://apply.interfolio.com/149150). The application system will prompt you to attach a letter of intent, a statement of research and personal goals, a Curriculum Vitae, and the contact information of three references. These materials should be submitted for the attention of the Search Committee Chair, Dr. Pavlisko, Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine. Questions should be sent to Dr. Noah Pavlisko (pavlisko@vet.upenn.edu) or Ms. Kelli Cave (kellijw@upenn.edu). 

 

 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, creed, national origin (including shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics), citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status or any class protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.