The Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for a faculty position in Dairy Production Medicine at the rank of Assistant Professor in the Academic Clinician Track. The Academic Clinician (AC) track emphasizes excellence in clinical service and teaching. Faculty in the AC track typically devote 90% of effort to clinical activities and 10% to academic activities. Didactic and laboratory teaching, as well as administrative or other professional responsibilities, are integrated throughout both clinical and academic efforts.
The successful candidate will join the Dairy Field Investigation Team within the Section of Population Medicine and contribute to its missions of clinical service, veterinary education, and stakeholder engagement. Pennsylvania's dairy industry faces evolving challenges and opportunities related to animal health, labor, economics, technology adoption, and environmental sustainability. Clinical responsibilities of the position include working with area farms in troubleshooting these and other production and management issues, while supporting farm profitability and addressing animal welfare and environmental stewardship.
For this position, demonstrated interest or experience in whole-farm evaluations encompassing diverse topics including dairy health, nutrition, reproduction, herd and data management, precision technologies, and environmental impact, is highly desirable. The successful candidate will be expected to engage with dairy producers and collaborate with key stakeholder organizations, including the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence, to develop practical, science-based solutions that support the long-term success of the modern dairy industry.
Teaching responsibilities may include clinical rotations (teaching in the field), case discussions, laboratories, classroom lectures, and continuing education programs to train veterinary graduates to address the challenges facing the dairy industry. While this position does not require independent research, AC faculty are encouraged to participate in collaborative and translational scholarship. Opportunities exist to work with other Penn Vet faculty across a broad range of disciplines, including dairy nutrition, digestion and metabolism, population medicine, epidemiology, precision livestock technologies and data applications, animal welfare, early-life interventions, methane mitigation, and environmental sustainability. These collaborations provide opportunities to evaluate and implement emerging technologies and management strategies and to translate research discoveries into practical applications for commercial dairy operations.
Agriculture is the cornerstone of Pennsylvania's economy, with dairy being the largest livestock contributor. Pennsylvania ranks 7th in milk production and 2nd in the number of dairy farms in the United States, encompassing 480,000 cows across 4,900 farms and generating 53,000 jobs throughout the dairy food supply chain. The location of New Bolton Center in southeast Pennsylvania provides exceptional access to dairy operations spanning the full spectrum of herd sizes and production systems. This diversity of farm types and management philosophies serves as a strength of the region, enabling faculty and students to address the varied needs of Pennsylvania's dairy producers.
New Bolton Center is located on 700 rolling acres of beautiful pastoral land in Kennett Square, Chester County The campus is 35 miles from Philadelphia combing the advantages of a rural setting with those of a nearby major metropolitan center. New Bolton Center provides a vibrant academic community with exceptional opportunities for interaction with a wide range of Large Animal board-certified specialists, researchers, and house officers. Faculty members have access to the Veterinary School’s 200-cow Marshak Dairy and the 250-sow Penn Swine Teaching & Research Center for clinical and laboratory teaching and are encouraged to interact and collaborate with other departments and initiatives at New Bolton Center, including the Center for Stewardship Agriculture and Food Security, Pathobiology, and Wildlife Futures
Qualifications include a DVM/VMD (or equivalent) degree and the ability to obtain licensure in Pennsylvania. Extensive experience with dairy production systems and management is required. Large-animal board certification or eligibility for certification (for example, with the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Nutrition) or the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners) with an emphasis on food animals is desirable but not required.
Application review will begin on August 13, 2026, and applications will be considered until the position is filled. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Questions about the position can be directed to Dr. Michaela Kristula, Search Committee Chair, by email at kristula@vet.upenn.edu.
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.
