Description
Working/Functional Title
VDL Assistant Director
Position Summary
The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL) plays a critical role in safeguarding animal and public health through accurate, timely and innovative diagnostic services. To maintain and advance this mission in an increasingly complex and rapidly advancing environment, this leadership position is necessary to support faculty and academic staff development as well as laboratory strategic advancement, ensuring the laboratory remains at the forefront of diagnostic excellence.
The inaugural assistant director will contribute significantly towards the vision and future of the MSU VDL, maintaining the laboratory’s position as a leader in animal health diagnostics, fostering the development of world-class diagnosticians and ensuring laboratory commitment to robust quality management. The administrative component will approximate 60% with the expectation that the assistant director will provide diagnostic service in their specialty and contribute to the research and teaching missions of the MSU VDL and College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM).
As a member of the MSU VDL leadership team, the assistant director will:
- Provide guidance and oversight of strategic initiatives to accelerate process improvements and service innovation
- Support and coordinate professional development and performance assessment of faculty and academic staff, to enhance engagement, retention and productivity
- Serve as a liaison between scientific subject-matter-experts and operational leadership, to ensure alignment and transparency
This position will be a Health Programs Faculty assigned to the MSU VDL and academically designated within the Department of Pathology and Diagnostic Investigation or other academic department of choice. A complete description of the Michigan State University HP system is available at: https://hr.msu.edu/policies-procedures/faculty-academic-staff/health-programs-faculty-handbook/index.html
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Minimum Requirements
Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree.
Certification in a veterinary specialty recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.
Advanced knowledge of veterinary diagnostics and laboratory operations, including data and quality management.
Leadership skills in academic or diagnostic settings.
Strong abilities in strategic planning and project management.
Desired Qualifications
Post-graduate research training (MS or PhD) or commensurate research experience.
Experience guiding and managing professional development and performance assessment for faculty and academic staff
Experience managing operational and administrative projects to promote diagnostic laboratory advancement.
Required Application Materials
Complete applications must include: 1) a letter of intent summarizing qualifications, professional accomplishments, and future goals aligned with the mission of the VDL and the CVM; 2) a curriculum vitae; and 3) the names and contact information for 3 professional references. Successful applicants are expected to specify their contributions to diagnostic laboratory advancement and faculty and staff professional development. Letters of recommendation will only be requested for top applicants.
Please visit the MSU Careers Website to apply to this position: https://careers.msu.edu/jobs/vdl-assistant-director-east-lansing-michigan-united-states
Special Instructions
Complete applications received by March 13, 2026, will receive full consideration by the search committee. If suitable candidates are not identified by the deadline, late submissions will be considered until the position is filled.
Direct inquiries to the Chair of the Search Committee, Rinosh Mani (manirino@msu.edu).
Review of Applications Begins On
03/13/2026
Summary of Health Risks
Exposure to unfixed animal tissue.
Website
Department Statement
The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine is a leading referral center for companion animals and horses as well as for livestock, laboratory, zoo and wildlife species. We have exceptional facilities, outstanding specialists and a vibrant environment for career growth in veterinary medicine. The MSU VDL is one of the premier veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the world, fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians. The MSU VDL provides full-service laboratory support in anatomic pathology, clinical pathology, endocrinology, microbiology, molecular pathology, nutrition, next generation sequencing, parasitology, serology, toxicology, and virology to veterinarians and animal health partners, worldwide.
Michigan State University, the pioneer land-grant school, is one of the top research universities in the world where veterinary science has been taught since its 1855 founding. East Lansing's collegiate atmosphere is complemented by low cost of living with convenient access to large cultural centers such as Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Chicago. East Lansing and surrounding communities provide excellent public school systems. In addition, Michigan, the Great Lakes State, with its numerous inland lakes and rivers, state and national parks, national lakeshores, world-class golf courses, and ample snowfall offers a broad variety of seasonal outdoor recreational activities. Visit the Pure Michigan© website https://www.michigan.org/ for more details.
MSU is committed to providing a work environment that supports employees’ work and personal life and offers employment assistance to the spouse or partner of candidates for faculty and academic staff positions.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
"
