Attending Veterinarian and Director for Laboratory Animal Resources (Veterinarian Leader)
Indiana University

Department

LABORATORY ANIMAL RESOURCES (UA-LARS-IUBLA)

Department Information

The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) is dedicated to providing the highest quality of veterinary medical care, husbandry, enrichment and professional technical support to enable researchers to perform and interdisciplinary research. Indiana University Bloomington's Laboratory Animal program oversees 6 vivariums with a variety of animal species and professional staff supporting IU's scientists. IU Bloomington is home to over 70 academic departments and programs, three schools, and over 50 research centers and institutes, and $26.5 million in active externally funded grants involving laboratory animal research.

Indiana University is one of the top research universities in the world, with over $785 million in sponsored research awards last year. Growing transformative research and creativity, innovation, industry engagement, and commercialization are key goals in IU 2030: The Indiana University Strategic Plan.

Job Summary

Indiana University Bloomington is seeking a highly qualified candidate to be the Director of Laboratory Animal Resources and Attending Veterinarian. The individual would fulfill all important aspects of the role of the Attending Veterinarian and the program of veterinary care as outlined by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and as outlined in the Indiana University Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW) program description. This includes responsibility for ensuring all AAALAC-accredited animal facilities meet required standards to ensure animal welfare.

Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Responsible for maintaining a comprehensive, high-quality, ethical animal resource program.
• Identifies and raises awareness regarding current and potential future issues impacting animal welfare.
• Develops and recommends solutions to current and/or future issues to relevant parties.
• Ensures that solutions are executed in a timely manner in collaboration with relevant regulatory officials and/or university colleagues across divisions and/or elevating any lingering issue to ensure appropriate actions are executed as necessary.
• Ensures the alignment of LAR efforts with institutional strategic initiatives and plans.
• Supports the changing needs of IU Bloomington investigators and provide expert advice and assistance to researchers in the ethical conduct of animal studies, including support of safety programs where radioactive materials, toxic chemicals, and/or biohazards are used in animals.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction for the operation and performance of all LAR activities.
• Develops and implements the budget in partnership with the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance office.
• Coordinates the development, implementation, and maintenance of methodology for research cost recovery and other financial guidelines.
• Ensures adherence to all applicable regulations and standards (internal and external) regarding animal care and use.
• Serves as the University Attending Veterinarian and as a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
• Represents the animal program on committees and groups.
• Collaborates with institutional partners to lead the continued certification of accrediting and regulatory bodies (e.g., AAALAC, USDA).
• Ensures maintenance of proper records and support timely submission of required regulatory and internal reports.
• Ensures education and training of animal research and care personnel in the proper procedures of animal care and use.

General Responsibilities

• Oversees all aspects of vertebrate animal care at the university, including operational management, and establishes short- and long-term business plans of animal use/care facilities and services.
• Manages oversight of animal facilities, animal research accreditation, and assuring compliance related to animal welfare.
• Contributes on senior leadership teams to formulate strategic planning and the highest-level operational objectives for animal research.
• Escalates operational issues, including human resources and/or people management situations.
• Drives innovation and excellence within the area of animal research; reviews and creates policies and procedures.
• Stays up to date on new animal research standards, technologies, policies, and procedures and works collaboratively with other animal research leaders across departments and/or campuses in determining standards, best practices, and related policies/procedures; ensures the adoption and implementation by direct reporting leaders.
• Provides direct veterinary care and managerial advice through examination, diagnoses, treatment, and consultation on clinical behavioral or husbandry issues with all animals located on the campus.
• Recommends and trains on animal handling, laboratory techniques, sedation, analgesia, anesthesia, surgical and post-surgical care, and other procedures.
• Consults and instructs to researchers in animal care and use including assistance in the design and/or implementation of specialized procedures, behavioral testing and breeding protocols.
• Directs a campus-wide program of veterinary care and preventive medicine directing, and developing as needed, training programs in animal care for research staff.
• Informs and advises university leadership on issues and policies pertaining to animal care, use and welfare.
• Collaborates with safety offices (Biosafety, Environmental Health and Safety, Occupational Health and Safety, and Radiation Safety) and Facilities Management as well as with industry partners and animal resource vendors.
• Ensures compliance with university policy; state and federal laws and regulations related to the use and care of vertebrate animals, as well as ensuring consistency with industry standards.
• Oversees all operational and financial aspects of the University's Laboratory Animal Resources (including budgeting and staffing).
• Assesses and treats animal health emergencies.
• Develops and manages departmental policies, procedures, and processes related to animal medical care.

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION

Required

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with training or experience in laboratory animal medicine or research.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Required

• 3 years in animal research or related experience.
• 5 years in laboratory animal science and medicine management.

Preferred

• DVM with laboratory experience and eligibility for licensure in the state of Indiana.
• American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) (or other pertinent discipline) diploma.
• Research experience and advanced academic degree.
• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrated operational and fiscal leadership experience in laboratory animal research.
• Preference will be given to candidates with senior veterinary leadership experience in an academic or private sector research environment.
• Demonstrated success in working with researchers and leading/managing teams and programs.
• A deep understanding of regulatory and compliance bodies, rules, and regulations, and experience with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES

Required

• License to practice veterinary medicine in the state of Indiana.
• Eligible to pursue board certification by the College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM).

SKILLS

Required

• Possess extensive knowledge of federal laws, regulations and guidelines governing the use of animals in research and teaching.
• Possesses knowledge of animal medicine and surgery in a research setting.
• Skills in animal handling, restraint across common laboratory animal species; basic biomethodology, including blood collection and injections; and general animal husbandry, medicine and surgical care.
• Proficient communication skills.
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills.
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills.
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback.
• Instills commitment to organizational goals.
• Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills.
• Effective conflict management skills.
• Builds and manages effective teams.
• Effective leadership skills.
• Ability to represent the company with external constituents.
• Ability to drive multiple projects to successful completion.
• Commitment to working with people of diverse backgrounds.
• Interprets federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations.

Additional Information

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance, this position also works closely with the Vice President for Research who serves as the Institutional Official. The individual is expected to collaborate closely with the Institutional Official and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to assure IU's animal care and use program remains in compliance with all relevant regulatory requirements and procedures for ongoing assessment and oversight of animal welfare. The successful individual must be extremely familiar with and able to ensure adherence to AAALAC, the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare and U.S. Department of Agriculture requirements.

The successful applicant will ensure that animals are examined, diagnosed, and treated appropriately and principal investigator (PI) s or research staff are consulted on clinical, behavioral, or husbandry issues for all animals on campus. This includes ensuring that appropriate forms and documentation related to clinical cases are maintained, including maintaining a complete surgical program and pharmacy inventory, among other tracking.

Opportunities for the Attending Veterinarian and Director for Laboratory Animal Resources (AV/LAR)

Develop a strategic plan incorporating continuous quality improvement.
This role is responsible for strategic planning and implementation to improve the animal research-related functions and facilities within IU Bloomington's animal program. This includes but is not limited to the development and conduct of a comprehensive, high-quality, ethical animal resources program in support of the research and teaching missions of Indiana University. This program ensures proper husbandry, housing, veterinary medical care, and handling of laboratory animals, as well as protection of the public trust in research through compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and animal welfare standards.

Foster a culture of support to ensure animal welfare compliance.
The AV/LAR works closely with university leadership to ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to animal research and engages across the institution to ensure alignment with organizational initiatives. This position has direct program authority and responsibility for the Institution's animal care and use program, including access to all animals, and is expected to be a resource for all animal-related research activities conducted by faculty on the Bloomington campus.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Multiple plan options for medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
• Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
• Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
• Additional supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition benefit for IU classes
• 10 paid holidays per year
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure.

Job Classification

Career Level: Strategic

FLSA: Exempt

Job Function: Research

Job Family: Animal Research
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Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.

If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University's Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information.

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