Position Description

Leadership Position – Director of the Baker Institute for Animal Health

The Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine located in Ithaca, New York invites applications for the position of Director of the Baker Institute for Animal Health, with a focus on advancing the Institute’s missions of research and outreach. Established in 1950, the Baker Institute is one of the world’s pre-eminent animal health research institutes, responsible for major advancements in veterinary vaccine development, immunology and infectious disease, genetics and gene therapy, and diagnostic and reproductive sciences which have benefited both animal and human health. The Institute’s current twelve faculty, their trainees, and the Institute’s staff are bound by a common mission: to propel the frontiers of biomedical and translational research by igniting breakthroughs that revolutionize the landscape of animal and human health. This position affords a unique opportunity to further advance excellence in education, outreach, and service within the Institute in coordination with the rest of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more about the Baker Institute here.

What you will do as the Director of the Baker Institute for Animal Health?

·         The new director will lead the Baker Institute at an exciting time as we approach 2025 and the 75^th anniversary of its founding

·         Provide the vision and strategy for the Institute’s continued success in the future

·         Advance excellence in education, outreach, and service within the Institute and in coordination with the rest of the College of Veterinary Medicine

·         Initiate searches to recruit new and open named professorships, as well as mentor recently hired faculty

·         Advance the research and outreach missions of the Institute by launching a capital campaign to build on the Institute’s considerable resources

Why Cornell, and why the College of Veterinary Medicine?

Located in the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes Region of New York State, Cornell University is a land grant university and a center for discovery, academic leadership, and service. Cornell University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through intellectual and cultural diversity. The University actively encourages applications and nominations of women, persons of color, veterans and persons with disabilities. Cornell actively seeks to meet the needs of dual career couples through a Dual Career program and the Upstate New York Higher Education Recruitment Consortium.

More to love about Cornell:

-          Inspiring Culture: Be part of a university where diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing are at the core of our values and mission. Your role will contribute to creating a welcoming, caring, and equitable community.

-          Community Impact: Shape the future of a community that values collaboration, innovation, and learning. Your work will directly impact the success and well-being of our faculty and staff.

-          Leadership Empowerment: Lead the charge in driving organizational change and development. As a member of the college's leadership team, you'll have the opportunity to implement strategies that strengthen organizational effectiveness and climate.

-          Rewarding Benefits: Competitive compensation, generous time-off, and comprehensive benefits – because we believe in taking care of our team. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

We seek an exceptional leader at the level of Associate or Full Professor. The Director is expected to provide leadership and strategic direction for the Baker Institute, engage with external stakeholders and fundraise in support of the Baker Institute’s endowment. Administrative responsibilities include overseeing the facilities and managing the operating budget of the Institute. The Baker Institute is positioned to expand its leading research role in animal health in collaboration with all College departments, the Feline Health Center (the highest regarded feline health center in the country), the recently established Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center, the Duffield Institute for Animal Behavior, and the Wildlife Health[RT1]  Center. Visit the Feline Health Center here and the Riney Canine Health Center here.

Application Requirements:

-          Ph.D., D.V.M., M.D., or equivalent degree

-          Distinguished record in research, teaching, service

-          Demonstrated leadership and management including mentoring and relationship building skills

-          Passion and vision for improving animal health, together with the skills required to share this vision with scientists and supporters

Additional Valuable Qualifications:

-          M.B.A.

-          Business management experience

-          Specialty Board certification

For more information, visit the Baker Institute website or contact Dr. Rory Todhunter, Search Committee Chair (rjt2@cornell.edu). 

Salary range: $97,500 - $329,600

Interested applicants should submit:

Electronic applications to Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/27031).

The required documents are:

1.      A statement of current and future research interests, overall related qualifications including leadership experience, and career goals

2.      Curriculum vitae

3.      The names and addresses of three professional referees

4.      Applicants for all faculty positions are asked to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current, or future) to fostering learning, research, service, and/or outreach in a diverse community.

Applications will be reviewed beginning February 28, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Please contact Rory Todhunter (rjt2@cornell.edu; 607-227-0085), search committee chair, at any time to discuss your application or for information about Cornell University, the College of Veterinary Medicine, or the Baker Institute for Animal Health.