Job Summary

The Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine (PVM) invites applications for the position of Department Head, Comparative Pathobiology. The department seeks a dynamic leader with creative vision and an outstanding record of research, administration, and teaching. Reporting to the Dean of Veterinary Medicine, the successful applicant will work alongside talented faculty, promote collaboration across disciplines, and play a crucial role in shaping the future of veterinary and graduate education and research in the college. The position comes with several open faculty lines with an opportunity to shape the research and academic environment of the department.

Department of Comparative Pathobiology Overview

Our faculty and staff educate professional and graduate students in pathology, microbiology, virology, parasitology, immunology, toxicology, epidemiology and animal welfare science. Collaborative and cutting-edge research in the department is broadly aligned with Purdue’s One Health initiative (https://www.purdue.edu/onehealth) that addresses challenges at the intersection of veterinary, human, and environmental health. The department has a strong record of federal funding and innovative research in the areas of antimicrobial resistance, vaccine development, host-pathogen interactions, drug discovery, epidemiology and animal welfare science.

Interdisciplinary, collaborative research is supported and encouraged both within the department and the university. Many departmental faculty members play leading roles in Purdue’s interdisciplinary Life Sciences Institutes, including the Purdue Institute of Inflammation, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, and the Purdue Institute for Drug Discovery. The interdisciplinary Center for Animal Welfare Science and Center for the Human-Animal Bond are housed in the department.  

Our faculty engage in diagnostic service through the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Clinical Pathology laboratory in the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital. Pathology support for research projects is provided through the Histology Research Laboratory.

College of Veterinary Medicine Overview

The Department of Comparative Pathobiology is one of three departments in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Purdue University. The College is home to the Purdue Veterinary Hospital and the Indiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Our college prides itself on its welcoming environment that values individuals who bring passion and vision to their work.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Leadership & Strategic Vision:

Provide dynamic and forward-thinking leadership in support of existing research programs and developing new growth areas;

Lead the recruitment, mentoring and retention of high-achieving faculty;

Develop and implement strategic goals in alignment with the school’s mission and long-term objectives. Advocate for the department’s priorities and needs to internal and external stakeholders;

Promote an environment of collaboration, academic excellence, and innovation.

Departmental Administration:

Oversee day-to-day operations, including managing the department’s faculty, staff, and budget;

Ensure efficient faculty workload distribution and optimize teaching assignments.

Academic Leadership & Curriculum Development:

Contribute to the implementation and evaluation of a high-quality veterinary curriculum;

Lead periodic curriculum reviews, ensuring alignment with accreditation standards and student needs;

Lead and support the department graduate program.

Support faculty and staff providing veterinary diagnostic services.

Faculty Development & Recruitment

Hire, mentor, and evaluate faculty, fostering a culture of professional growth and academic success;

Facilitate faculty success through targeted professional development and leadership opportunities;

Foster faculty professional development through mentoring, evaluations, and promotion and tenure processes.

Required Qualifications

A doctoral degree (DVM, PhD, or equivalent) in a field aligned with the research interests in the department;

An outstanding record of scholarly achievement and extramural funding commensurate with the rank of full professor at Purdue;

Proven leadership abilities in a DVM program or related field;

Commitment to excellence in professional and graduate education;

Strong interpersonal and communication skills with dedication to building an inclusive and vibrant scientific community;

An inspiring vision for the department.

Applications

We encourage qualified candidates to submit application materials online at https://vet.purdue.edu/about/careers.php, including a letter of application that describes qualifications for the position, curriculum vitae, names of three references, and statement of administrative philosophy. Review of applications will begin January 20, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. Questions should be directed to CPB Head Search Committee, Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, 725 Harrison Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907 or hfell@purdue.edu. A background check is required for employment in this position.

EEO/AA Statement

Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.