The UCD Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Residency offers a comprehensive four-year specialist training programme within a leading European academic veterinary hospital. Based in Dublin, our friendly, supportive and experienced team currently includes two European Specialists in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (Dipl. ECVAA), with one additional ECVAA Diplomates contributing to research and resident training, two residency-trained anaesthetists, three dedicated anaesthesia nurses and a small animal anaesthesia intern. The programme normally has three residents at different stages of their training, with the successful applicant joining the team as the third resident.
The programme is fully approved by the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (ECVAA) and combines intensive clinical training with research, teaching and professional development. The residency is integrated with UCD’s Doctor of Veterinary Medical Specialisation (DVMS) degree, allowing residents to work towards the ECVAA Diploma while completing an advanced academic research degree.
Programme Highlights
- Specialist clinical training: Extensive experience in anaesthesia and analgesia for both small and large animal referral cases, under the supervision of ECVAA Diplomates.
- Research opportunities: Structured involvement in clinical research, with the aim of producing two publications in peer-reviewed journals and completing a DVMS thesis.
- Structured learning and professional development: Regular participation in journal clubs, book and training-tool discussions, case rounds and seminars, alongside credit-bearing taught modules designed to strengthen clinical and research expertise.
- Teaching and leadership: Progressive involvement in teaching veterinary and veterinary nursing students through lectures, tutorials, practical classes and clinical rotations, together with opportunities to mentor interns.
- International exposure: Opportunities to attend scientific conferences, undertake externships and engage with the wider international veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia community.
Clinical Commitment
Residents play an active role in the hospital’s busy referral service, completing at least 36 clinical weeks per year and providing anaesthesia and analgesia across a diverse caseload and range of species.
Out-of-hours duties for both small and large animals are shared on a 1:3 basis, providing substantial experience in emergency and critical care anaesthesia. Residents receive four weeks (20 days) of annual leave each year.
Beyond Clinical Work
Twelve weeks of protected non-clinical time are provided each year for research and publications, DVMS coursework and thesis preparation, ECVAA credential and examination preparation, conference attendance, externships and the development of teaching and communication skills.
The combination of broad clinical experience, structured academic training, research and teaching is designed to prepare residents for the ECVAA Diploma examinations and for future careers in specialist clinical practice, academia and research.
How to Apply
The residency will commence at the beginning of January 2027.
Applications should be submitted by 12:00 noon (Irish time) on Monday, October 5th 2026.
Interviews will take place on Thursday, October 22nd 2026.
For full details of the residency, eligibility and selection criteria, required application documents and information on how to apply, please see the full UCD residency advertisement here: https://www.ucd.ie/vthweb/about-us/jointheteam/
We strongly encourage interested applicants to visit UCD Veterinary Hospital in person prior to interview. Contact Dr Claire Loughran (claire.loughran@ucd.ie) to arrange a visit.