Job Description
CHAIR, DEPARTMENT OF CLINICAL SCIENCES & ADVANCED MEDICINE Location: Philadelphia
Open Date: Dec 11, 2025
Deadline: The University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine (Penn Vet) invites applications for the position of Chair of the Department of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine at the Philadelphia Campus. Appointment will be at the level of Full Professor in the Standing Faculty () in either the Tenure Track (TT) or the Clinician Educator (CE) Track.
Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine is the largest of the four Academic Departments at Penn Vet, home to over 70 faculty members who are board-certified in more than 20 different veterinary specialties, including internal medicine, soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, cardiology, neurology, dentistry and oral surgery, shelter medicine, radiology, medical/radiation oncology, and emergency and critical care (). Matthew J. Ryan Veterinary Hospital , Penn Vet's small animal facility situated on Penn's vibrant main campus in Philadelphia, offers many specialty services including interventional radiology, minimally-invasive surgery, hemodialysis and plasmapheresis. Imaging modalities include MRI, CT, Doppler ultrasound, and fluoroscopy. Clinical Sciences is committed to excellence in education, clinical service, and a wide variety of veterinary and translational research. The Department houses the Veterinary Clinical Investigation Center , which supports clinical trials for faculty at Penn Vet.
The Department Chair will enjoy a wealth of opportunities that will enable fulfillment of responsibilities in a highly collaborative environment within an academic teaching hospital. Responsibilities include oversight of faculty actions (appointments, reappointments, and promotions) and faculty clinical duty assignments as well as research and teaching efforts. The faculty composition of the Department is 50% standing faculty (CE and TT), and 50% associated faculty (Academic Clinicians).
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage with established and interdisciplinary programs within the School of Veterinary Medicine, including the Penn Vet Cancer Center , Institute for Zoonotic and Infectious Diseases , Center for Host Microbial Interactions , Shelter Medicine & Community Engagement , One Health , Animal Welfare and Behavior , and the Penn Vet Working Dog Center and a large number of Institutes and Centers across Penn. Adjacent to Penn Vet are three world-class biomedical schools (Medicine, Nursing & Dental), and eight other Penn schools that provide excellent opportunities for research collaboration. The candidate will also have ample opportunity for collaboration with faculty at our large animal hospital and research centers at Penn Vet's New Bolton Center Campus .
The Department Chair is expected to foster a collegial and innovative environment, support the professional development of faculty and staff, and encourage collaborative research within the department and across the School and University. The Chair of Clinical Sciences and Advanced Medicine is responsible for the department's budget and administration, working collaboratively with colleagues and senior leadership at the School and University, including the Dean, Vice Dean and Chief Financial Officer, Vice Dean for Research and Academic Resources, Associate Dean of Faculty, Associate Dean of Education, Associate Dean of Clinical Enterprise - Hospital Director for Ryan Hospital on the Philadelphia Campus, the Associate Chair of Education, and the Director of House Officers to fulfill the missions of the school. The Chair of Clinical Sciences will report directly to the Dean.
Members of standing faculty in the Tenure Track (TT) are primarily devoted to research in their field of expertise. TT faculty annually spend no more than 5-15% of their time on clinical patient care, teaching, and/or service. Members of standing faculty in the Clinician-Educator (CE) track focus on clinical service, teaching, and research. A typical division of effort for faculty in the CE track is 60-70% time on clinics, including clinical service and clinical teaching, and 30-40% of their off-clinics time dedicated to academic efforts, including independent or collaborative research that produces scholarly publications in their area of expertise. The division of effort can be adjusted according to the successful candidate's focus. Members of the associated faculty in the Academic Clinican (AC) track are primarily devoted to clinical and didactic education of students and house officers and clinical service. Academic Clinicians develop an area of focus that contributes to these missions in specific ways.
The University provides a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, which includes multiple options for retirement savings and tuition benefits for the candidate's spouse and/or dependent children. This is an outstanding opportunity for an individual who enjoys living and working in a vibrant urban environment with an abundance of cultural resources, including music, art, theaters, and fine dining (). Philadelphia offers easy access to New York and Washington, DC. Additionally, Wissahickon Valley Park, Valley Forge National Park, and numerous other recreational amenities are within minutes of the city, making them ideal for the nature enthusiast.
Qualifications Preference will be given to applicants holding a VMD/DVM degree or its equivalent, along with a research degree (PhD, DVSc, or equivalent), and Board certification in a relevant field. A proven track record of successfully obtaining competitive external research funding and collaborative science is highly desirable. Demonstrated leadership experience and an understanding of the academic environment are required. The successful applicant will have administrative and management skills, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a record of scholarly activities. The demonstrated ability to mentor faculty, house officers, and VMD students, as well as build a collegial team atmosphere, is essential.
Applications are being accepted immediately. Though negotiable, the anticipated start date of the position is within the next 12 months. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Application Instructions Interested applicants should apply electronically to . The system will prompt you to attach a letter of intent, which should include a statement of personal goals, research goals, a curriculum vitae, and the names, addresses, and contact information for three references. Letters and questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Anna Gelzer, Chair of the Search Committee ( agelzer@upenn.edu or vetdean@upenn.edu ) or the search coordinator Kelli Cave ( kellijw@upenn.edu ).
To apply, visit 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.
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office, Local area, Immediate start,