Lab Animal Medicine Residency Positions

[KCgophervet]

Hi everyone!

This year there was a historic mismatch between numbers of applicants and numbers of open positions for laboratory animal medicine residency programs. All in all, I believe there are 24 open positions currently unmatched in lab animal medicine. With all that said, if you or someone you know has expressed interest in the field, senior veterinary students or practicing veterinarians wanting to specialize, now is a great time to apply!

Specifically, the Minnesota Lab Animal Medicine Consortium* has positions open for the residency program at both the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester.

*There are a few updates to the consortium programs that have not been added to the ASLAP page yet including a higher salary. For more information please see the VIRMP description or send me a message and I can put you in contact with the residency program directors.

Thanks!

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[that redhead]

Why was this not a problem 8 years ago when I wanted to match?!

 

[KCgophervet]

Why was this not a problem 8 years ago when I wanted to match?!

You sure you don't want to take a pay cut and to move to MN for the next 3 years?? 😀

 

[KCgophervet]

Going to bump this thread again because it's been another year of historically low match rates (more residency positions than candidates). While the University of Minnesota site did match this year, our consortium partner Mayo Clinic did not (along with a number of other programs across the US). For more information, send me a message and I can put you in contact with the residency program directors.

 

[Musicandhorses]

Going to bump this thread again because it's been another year of historically low match rates (more residency positions than candidates). While the University of Minnesota site did match this year, our consortium partner Mayo Clinic did not (along with a number of other programs across the US). For more information, send me a message and I can put you in contact with the residency program directors.

Oh my. I’m kinda wondering if I should pursue this as Mayo is my Alma mater for my PhD and I’ve thought about pursuing lab animal previously.

 

[winder333]

A higher salary and open positions make it a good time to apply.

 

[thenontraveler]

Going to bump this thread again because it's been another year of historically low match rates (more residency positions than candidates). While the University of Minnesota site did match this year, our consortium partner Mayo Clinic did not (along with a number of other programs across the US). For more information, send me a message and I can put you in contact with the residency program directors.

How does the match work with schools that are off from the normal Graduation scheme? I went into this field wanting to do Lab Animal, but with almost all residencies starting in July and I don't graduate until August, is that just not feasible?

 

[pp9]

How does the match work with schools that are off from the normal Graduation scheme? I went into this field wanting to do Lab Animal, but with almost all residencies starting in July and I don't graduate until August, is that just not feasible?

Given the recurrence of unfilled positions, I'd look at the open positions list that VIRMP publishes every year and reach out to those programs with your situation (the year of your graduation, not now). Otherwise, you would probably just have to wait until the next cycle. You could also communicate with programs well before match deadlines and see if they would rank you considering the circumstances. I wouldn't try to match and then drop that info-bomb on them after, though.

 

[chimmerchammer]

Any current lab animal vets have insight into the current state of residencies in light of potential funding cuts? I'm nervous to be pursuing this field when the current administration could impact residency and job prospects after residency.

 

[thenontraveler]

Given the recurrence of unfilled positions, I'd look at the open positions list that VIRMP publishes every year and reach out to those programs with your situation (the year of your graduation, not now). Otherwise, you would probably just have to wait until the next cycle. You could also communicate with programs well before match deadlines and see if they would rank you considering the circumstances. I wouldn't try to match and then drop that info-bomb on them after, though.

Thanks for the info! I had no intention of bomb dropping after the fact. That sounds like a terrible way to start any kind of professional relationship

 

[vampyrica]

Any current lab animal vets have insight into the current state of residencies in light of potential funding cuts? I'm nervous to be pursuing this field when the current administration could impact residency and job prospects after residency.

This is a good question!

it's been another year of historically low match rates (more residency positions than candidates).

Are these positions at high risk of losing funding due to recent changes in the administration? I am incredibly interested in pursuing lab animal medicine but worry these opportunities and positions will begin to dwindle as funding continues to get cut.

 

[KCgophervet]

Sorry all, I made that post and then dropped off the face of the SDN (got the 'Rona).

Oh my. I’m kinda wondering if I should pursue this as Mayo is my Alma mater for my PhD and I’ve thought about pursuing lab animal previously.

Do it! Message me and I can put you in touch with the residency program director 🙂

How does the match work with schools that are off from the normal Graduation scheme? I went into this field wanting to do Lab Animal, but with almost all residencies starting in July and I don't graduate until August, is that just not feasible?

I cannot speak for every program, but for my program specifically we can be flexible with start dates so long as we are given reasonable notice and can plan accordingly. That being said, flexible meaning by a few weeks to a couple of months, anything else might be more challenging (not impossible, but require more planning on our part). So my advice would be to be honest in your applications and interviews but still apply.

Any current lab animal vets have insight into the current state of residencies in light of potential funding cuts? I'm nervous to be pursuing this field when the current administration could impact residency and job prospects after residency.

This is a good question!

Are these positions at high risk of losing funding due to recent changes in the administration? I am incredibly interested in pursuing lab animal medicine but worry these opportunities and positions will begin to dwindle as funding continues to get cut.

It will very much depend on the program. Right now, there are more residency programs than there are applicants. A lot will depend on how each individual institution funds their residency programs (are they using NIH grants to fund it? are they using internal departmental funds? industry sponsored? etc) and how they prioritize the training program (I have heard rumors of some places actually expanding their training programs in light of cuts, because then they can pay less for their vets and maybe replace faculty with residents - rumors only at this point but something to be wary of when looking into possible residencies).

For job prospects after residency, its definitely a concern I won't lie to you. Right now there are enough laws on the books requiring veterinary oversight to all animal research that (unless they outlaw all animal research entirely) I think it would be unlikely that the field will disappear. BUT due to all the cuts to scientific and biomedical research funding its a distinct possibility that the field may downsize and find itself with a temporary oversaturation. That being said, private industries, medical devices, pharmaceutical companies, etc all perform private research and also have needs for lab animal vets, and who knows how things will change in the next couple of years? I try to remain positive.