Job description

The Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine (PPVM) at South Dakota State University, in dynamic partnership with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, is seeking an exceptional and engaging clinician-educator who is passionate about inspiring the next generation of veterinarians. We are looking for a faculty member who brings energy to the classroom, excellence to clinical instruction, and a deep commitment to mentorship, someone who can translate real-world veterinary experience into meaningful, hands-on learning that challenges students to think critically, grow confidently, and pursue clinical excellence. This is a 9-month, full-time, clinical (non-tenure-track), benefits eligible position at the Assistant or Associate level with a specialization in Veterinary Anatomy located in Brookings, South Dakota.

SDState is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities. The PPVM is a collaborative 2+2 veterinary education program in partnership with the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Each year, a cohort of 20 students begins the professional DVM curriculum at SDSU before transitioning to the University of Minnesota for clinical training. Our small-cohort model fosters meaningful faculty–student engagement, individualized mentorship, and active, laboratory-based learning. Faculty benefit from strong curricular alignment and ongoing collaboration with University of Minnesota colleagues to ensure rigor, innovation, and clinical relevance.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a tripartite faculty position with responsibilities in teaching, scholarly activity, and service, with primary emphasis on anatomy and clinically integrated instruction in the professional veterinary curriculum. The successful candidate will contribute broadly across foundational and applied anatomy, while bringing small animal clinical perspective to laboratory and clinical skills instruction. This position is ideal for a veterinarian who values integration—connecting structure to imaging, surgery, neurology, and clinical reasoning from the earliest stages of training.

Teaching Responsibilities

• Deliver engaging instruction in veterinary gross anatomy, comparative anatomy, and neuroanatomy within an integrated, systems-based curriculum.
• Teach radiographic anatomy and collaborate with faculty to strengthen structure–function correlations.
• Participate in and support clinical skills laboratories, integrating anatomical knowledge with procedural training and clinical application.
• Contribute to undergraduate anatomy instruction within the department.
• Lead and supervise dissection laboratories, prosections, and specimen-based teaching in a small-cohort environment.
• Oversee or assist with cadaver preparation, preservation, and specimen curation.
• Mentor pre-veterinary and veterinary students in academic development, career exploration, and professional growth.
• Collaborate closely with clinical faculty to ensure alignment with University of Minnesota curricular objectives.

Scholarly Activity

Faculty are expected to maintain scholarly engagement appropriate to an academic appointment. Scholarship may include:

• Discipline-based anatomical research.
• Clinical-anatomical integration research.
• Veterinary education scholarship and innovation.
• Curriculum development and instructional design.
• Mentorship of student scholarly projects.

Service Contributions

• Participate in departmental, college, and university committees.
• Contribute to program development and accreditation-related activities.
• Engage in professional service at the regional or national level.
• Support recruitment, outreach, and pre-veterinary engagement initiatives.

SALARY: The salary and rank are commensurate with qualifications, starting at $95,000 for Assistant Professor rank.

BENEFITS:

SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• DVM or equivalent degree by start date.
• Experience teaching at the collegiate level.
• Small animal clinical experience sufficient to contribute to clinically integrated teaching and clinical skills laboratories.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Formal training and/or documented experience in veterinary gross anatomy, comparative anatomy, and/or neuroanatomy.
• Experience teaching radiographic anatomy.
• Experience with cadaver preparation and preservation techniques and specimen curation.
• Familiarity with digital anatomy tools (3D imaging, virtual anatomy platforms), prosection development, or innovative anatomy pedagogy.
• Prior experience mentoring students and training technical staff.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Position closes 06/15/2026.

How to apply

SDState accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on “apply for this job.” This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, curriculum vitae, a philosophy of teaching statement (3 pages maximum attached as other), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDState Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

SDState is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

For questions on the position, contact Dr. Lisa Lunn at (605) 688-6645 or [email protected].

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status that may become protected under law against discrimination in the offering of all educational programs and employment opportunities. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing [email protected]. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007, 605-688-4128.