About the role

Aplyr's Quick Take

This role is a postdoctoral position focused on swine diagnostic medicine at Iowa State University's Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. You'll manage diagnostic cases, work with veterinarians and industry stakeholders, and help educate veterinary students while enhancing diagnostic services.

Good fit

Ideal candidates have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and advanced training in veterinary diagnostic pathology, along with experience in swine production medicine. Strong communication skills and a collaborative working style are essential.

Worth noting

This position offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with the swine industry and contribute to both diagnostics and education. The role may require fieldwork, which could be a plus or a downside depending on your preferences.

Position Title:

Postdoc Research Associate – Diagnostic Pathology

Appointment Type:

Post Doc/Trainee

Job Description:

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:

This postdoctoral position will support the diagnostic, outreach, and educational missions of the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (ISU VDL), with a primary focus on swine diagnostic medicine. The incumbent will coordinate and manage food animal diagnostic cases within the Pathology Section, working closely with diagnosticians, submitting veterinarians, and swine industry stakeholders to facilitate timely case investigation, interpretation, and reporting. The position will foster strong relationships with clients through regular communication, consultation, and field-based diagnostic investigations while identifying opportunities to enhance diagnostic services and address evolving industry needs.

Responsibilities also include delivering client education and outreach programs, contributing to the clinical training of veterinary students in swine diagnostic medicine, and presenting diagnostic findings, case summaries, and research outcomes to professional and industry audiences. In addition, the postdoctoral scholar will participate in case-based diagnostic pathology training opportunities designed to broaden diagnostic expertise across the major mammalian species routinely evaluated by the ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Required Minimum Qualifications:

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree or equivalent,
Advanced training in veterinary diagnostic pathology and demonstrated knowledge of swine production medicine.

Preferred Qualifications:

Advanced degree in Veterinary Pathology, Veterinary Epidemiology, Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Microbiology, or a closely related field.
Experience as a practicing swine veterinarian.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with veterinarians, producers, students, and other stakeholders through strong written and oral communication skills.

Department/Program & College Description:

A national leader in protecting animal and human health, the full-service laboratories at the VDL process upwards of 127,000 cases each year and conduct more than 1.7 million tests annually.

Fully accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the VDL provides quality diagnostic services for animal species, including necropsy, bacteriology, serology, histopathology, virology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, and toxicology as well as offering analytical services.

Department Unit/Website:
Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory

Application Instructions:
To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Letter of Application/Cover Letter

Why Choose Iowa State University?
Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental, as well as:

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
Iowa State offers WorkFlex options for some positions. WorkFlex offers flexibility on when, where, and how you do your work. For more information, please speak with the Hiring Manager.

If you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu, or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.

Proposed Start Date:

August 3, 2026

Number of Months Employed Per Year:

12 Month Work Period

Time Type:

Full time

Pay Grade:

Post Docs

Original Posting Date:

July 6, 2026

Posting Close Date:

July 13, 2026

Job Requisition Number:

R19560

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.

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