“Current and Future Trends in Jobs for
Veterinary Pathologists”
Co-Chairs:
Drs. Jon Werner (Amgen) and Kevin Lahmers (Washington St. Univ)
Panelists:
Drs. Chris Clarke (Amgen), John Cullen (NC St Univ), Kevin Keane
(Consultant), Kevin Lahmers, Charles Wood (EPA), and Aaron Sargeant
(CRL)
1

Introduction (5 min)

Brief statements from panelists (20 min)
◦ Please hold questions

Open discussion (35 min)
◦ Before talking, please ID yourself

Continued discussion over cocktails
2
Paraphrased opinion from Terry Leyden from the Leyden Group, a
private recruiting firm in toxicology for over 30 years, and supporter
of the ACVP/STP coalition:


Through 2008, there was a healthy job market for early career
pathologists.
Since that time, this market has virtually disappeared due to:
◦ Large and mid sized pharma reducing staff and small biotech lacking funding.
◦ CROs having work volume drop, and sufficient staffing.
◦ Experienced pathologists leaving industry and offering consulting services.

However, there will be a large number of experienced pathologists
retiring soon - "brain drain". Companies should consider succession
planning.
3
Hiring in Academia
Dr. John Cullen, NC State
Davis/Penn
NCSU
 Hiring level


empty positions filled
No new positions created
 Qualifications



PhD generally required
High level of competition
Lots of good diagnosticians
available
 Desirables


Research training/program
High level of competition
 Vet Schools contracting
slightly due to state funding
issues
 Some new positions
available, but…
 Need to have the right niche



Specialized diagnostic skills
Research program
Tox path depends on
regional support



In the past year, there has been a significant
uptick in jobs posted
There are a lot of people looking
Do things to help yourself stand out
◦
◦
◦
◦

Boards
PhD
Teaching experience
Specialize-to an extent
It is currently largely about fit in the current
buyer’s market

Qualifications – DVM, DACVP, PhD…..

Experience – drug discovery and development

◦ DABT, MD
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Discovery science – peer engagement
Tox Path – characterization, interpretation, risk assessment
Drug development projects
Technology-savvy, integrate data
Pharma  CRO  academia
Management/leadership
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Team player
“Leadership”
Problem solver, critical thinker
Proactive
Communication skills
Inquisitive
Adaptive
Behaviors



Flexibility
Team player with broad
skills and interests
How are these influences changing pathology?
- genomics, paraprofessionals, automated
slide reading, 3R’s, offshoring, …




Widespread tightening of science/R&D
budgets across federal agencies
Pressure on basic science and bench
pathology roles
More emphasis on translational scientist and
advisor roles
Traditional pathology skills important,
bridge skills critical
◦ Examples: Toxicology,
Molecular biology/Biomarkers,
Computational biology/Informatics






Pharma Tox. Pathology: In-depth Tox Path knowledge
of a drug class or target
GLP Lab Animal Veterinarian: Team effort to have
animals & facility for tox studies
Drug Program Leader: Team effort to move a novel
compound to clinical trials
CRO Pathology: In-depth Tox Path knowledge of
spontaneous vs. test article findings
International: Understanding how to work & teach in
China & India
Society of Tox Path: Source of continuous learning and
consortium building
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
Corp. A
35
25
(380)
37
(596)
104
Corp. B
4
105
(32)
100
205
196
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
Corp. A
82
68
32
18
34
26
Corp. B
154
140
112
83
67
48
Net
Income
Net
Income