The Division of Comparative Medicine (DCM) at MIT has trained veterinarians in the field of laboratory animal medicine since 1982. Since that time, over 80 veterinarians have successfully completed a residency in our training program, and have gone on to establish themselves in positions of prominence throughout the laboratory animal community. DCM postdoctoral veterinarians have authored or co-authored more than 300 scientific papers in respected peer-review journals, and have authored over 50 chapters in field textbooks. Our postdocs have contributed extensively to the scientific programs of the national meetings of a number of professional societies, and are well networked in the field. Performance in the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board examination has also been exceptional.
Admission Requirements
Applications must be submitted via the Veterinary Internship & Matching Program (VIRMP). See https://www.virmp.org/ for the application requirements and deadlines. Note that many laboratory animal medicine programs, including MIT’s, typically have an earlier application deadline than the standard deadline listed for the VIMRP. Consult the individual program description for exact dates each year.
Other requirements include a veterinary degree from an AVMA-accredited institution or ECFVG certificate and a license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state of the United States.
Applicants are selected on the basis of their demonstrated interest in comparative medicine and research, academic record, research and clinical experience, letters of recommendation and personal interview.
Postdoctoral fellows have the option of pursuing an advanced degree through MIT's Department of Biological Engineering, through MIT’s interdepartmental Microbiology Graduate PhD Program, or through the Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences, contingent on success of a direct and separate application to the graduate program during the trainee’s first or second year.
Applicants who would like to discuss their application or have inquiries prior to applying can reach out to:
Director of the MIT ACLAM Training Program
617-253-1757
dvmtraining@mit.edu
Financial Support
Postdoctoral trainees are supported either by a NIH T32 training grant or departmental funds. Annual compensation has followed the NIH stipend schedule. Current salaries and benefits are found at the MIT Postdoctoral Salary and Health Insurance Rates page.
Facilities
MIT has animal facilities under centralized management in six buildings on campus that encompass approximately 225,000 square feet. The AAALAC accredited animal facilities are under the direct control and supervision of the Division of Comparative Medicine; they house 15 different species with an average daily census of approximately 100,000 animals. The facilities accommodate the research needs of more than 100 investigators. Surgical facilities comprise four surgical suites, a radiology unit and support space. The Division oversees facilities for germ free and transgenic work as well. Within the Division of Comparative Medicine is a fully staffed Comparative Pathology Laboratory (CPL). This unit provides diagnostic laboratory support for the Division’s animal care and health programs and also provides laboratory support to a number of biomedical research institutions in the Boston area.
Trainees can use other facilities at MIT to accommodate their research needs. These include electron microscopy, cell sorting equipment, a monoclonal laboratory and gene sequencing facilities. Trainees have access to library facilities within the Division, other MIT libraries, the Harvard Medical Library and the Tufts/New England Medical Center Health Sciences Library.