Residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Zürich, Switzerland

The University of Zürich, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine is accepting applications from qualified individuals for
a three-year clinical ophthalmology residency. This program will begin October 1st, 2023 and has the primary
objectives of successfully training an academic or private practice veterinary ophthalmologist and preparing the
resident for the successful completion of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ECVO) board
certification process.

This includes the responsibility for hospital patients and training in the medical and surgical aspects of veteri-
nary ophthalmology, including large and small domestic animals, non-domestic and laboratory animals. Our
team of two ECVO Diplomates, two ECVO residents, one ophthalmology intern, one ophthalmology clinician
and two dedicated ophthalmology technicians has the pleasure to work in a spacious and modern small animal
clinic with all the diagnostic and surgical equipment necessary for excellent training opportunities and state-of-
the-art veterinary care. Secondary residency objectives are to introduce the resident to basic scientific and/or
clinical ophthalmic research and to develop effective clinical and didactic teaching skills. The resident will
therefore assist in the instruction of veterinary medical students, interns and other residents. The responsibility
for our ophthalmology emergency duty is shared with the second ophthalmology resident.

Weekly rounds for review of the veterinary and human ophthalmic literature, bi-weekly ocular pathology re-
views attended by the ophthalmology faculty and board-certified pathologists and weekly clinic rounds to dis-
cuss diagnostic and surgical cases in-depth are provided. Presentations at in-house rounds and seminars and at
the ECVO Residents Forum are required and attendance at the ACVO Basic Science Course is ensured. The resi-
dent is required to complete a research project and submit two written manuscripts for publication in a peer-
reviewed journal prior to completion of the residency. These publications must be "accepted for publication"
prior to the end date of the residency program.

Pre-requisites for acceptance into the program are:

1. DVM degree or its equivalent.


2. One-year rotating internship or 2 year working experience as a veterinarian.


3. A fair to good command of the German language is imperative to be able to function in a clinical situation
   with frequent and intensive doctor-client contacts.


4. The candidate(s) selected for this position must be able to meet eligibility requirements to work in Switzer-
   land at the time the residency program is scheduled to begin. For further information on licensure require-
   ments please see the following BAG websites:
   https://www.bag.admin.ch/bag/de/home/berufe-im-gesundheitswesen/auslaendische-abschluesse-gesund-
   heitsberufe/diplome-der-medizinalberufe-ausserhalb-eu-efta.html

The following application materials are required:

1. A personal statement describing background, reasons for applying to the residency and career goals.


2. Current curriculum vitae


3. Three letters of recommendation from faculty members or practitioners who have worked directly with the
   candidate. These letters should address aptitude and performance in intellectual and creative pursuits perti-
   nent to scientific research, knowledge of veterinary medicine, clinical and surgical skills, ability to apply
   knowledge in a clinical situation, and ability to communicate and work with others. These letters should be sent
   directly by the letter writer to the application address below; they should not be forwarded by the applicant.

Application materials should be sent electronically to gschmid@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
Questions regarding the residency program or the residency application process can be directed to Dr. An-
tonella Rampazzo at antonella.rampazzo@uzh.ch or to Prof. Simon Pot at spot@vetclinics.uzh.ch.
Applications must be received by May 15th, 2023. Application review and interviews will take place during the
months of May and June of 2023, and the applicants will be notified by July 1st, 2023.