Postdoc Research Associate – Veterinary Field Services

About the Role

The Postdoc Research Associate position emphasizes training in food animal medicine, with a substantial focus on bovine health and production systems, including both beef and dairy cattle. The selected candidate will gain production medicine–based clinical experience and have opportunities to participate in applied research activities. Primary work will be with the Veterinary Field Services unit, with opportunities to collaborate with the ISU Food Animal and Camelid Hospital and the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

This position supports candidates pursuing board certification as a Beef Cattle Diplomate or Food Animal Diplomate through the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) and provides advanced clinical, teaching, and research experience for careers in academia, food animal practice, and veterinary clinical scholarship.

Responsibilities

• Active participation in ambulatory food animal care through ISU Veterinary Field Services.
• Involvement in the clinical instruction of veterinary students within the professional DVM program.
• Participation in applied research in food animal medicine.
• Development of observational research studies, such as case reports and case series, to support scholarly productivity and ABVP board certification.

Requirements

• DVM or equivalent veterinary degree by the start date of employment.
• Possession of, or eligibility to obtain by the start date of employment, a State of Iowa veterinary license and Category II accreditation through the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP).
• Possession of, or eligibility to obtain by the start date of employment, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration and State of Iowa controlled substance registration.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and ability to meet University requirements for authorization to operate University vehicles by the start date of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of clinical experience in a food animal veterinary practice or comparable clinical food animal setting.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with herd managers, animal care providers, and/or students at various levels of training.

About the Department

The Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Food Animal and Camelid Field Services provides on-farm services to livestock producers in the general Ames area. Equipped with four fully stocked mobile veterinary trucks and eight full-time clinicians, Veterinary Field Services offers individual animal and herd health veterinary care for beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and camelids (alpacas and llamas). The unit educates veterinary students on farm animal medicine while delivering high-quality veterinary services to local producers.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental.
• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
• Generous vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans.
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa).
• Life insurance and long-term disability.
• Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Wellbeing program.
• WorkFlex options for flexibility in work arrangements.

This is a one-year term position with the possibility of renewal. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2027. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship.