PAY GRADE: 35E

CONTEXT OF THE JOB:

The research enterprise at the University of Delaware exceeded $325M in sponsored program expenditures in fiscal year 2023.  This included over 1400 proposals submitted and more than 700 new awards received totaling approximately $390M.  During fiscal year 2023, there were more than 2100 active awards, over 1700 Institutional Review Board submissions, over 100 animal protocols, more than 120 Material Transfer Agreements, and more than 5900 Effort Certification Reports.

In compliance with 1) US Public Health Service (PHS) Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals and 2) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Welfare Regulations, and under the auspices of the University of Delaware (UD or University) Research Office (RO), the Director of the Animal Care Program and Attending Veterinarian (D/AV) has program authority and responsibility for institutional activities involving health and welfare of laboratory animals.  D/AV duties are both clinical and regulatory.  Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research, The D/AV oversees the UD Animal Care Program and is responsible for the health and welfare of all animals used for educational, testing, or research purposes at the University.  The D/AV provides medical and surgical care for animals, investigator consultation, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) membership, professional training and assistance for research and animal care personnel and oversees the Office of Laboratory Animal Management (OLAM) operations.  In compliance with regulatory requirements and in collaboration with other institutional components of the ACP, the D/AV fosters partnership among the components of the ACP to ensure institutional compliance.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES::

• Provide for the health and welfare of all animals used in University education, testing, and research activities.
• Ensure Institutional compliance of the Animal Care Program with federal and state regulations and guidelines and the Institution’s PHS Assurance.
• Provide veterinary support and guidance for research investigators, instructors, and OLAM staff.
• Supervise operations of OLAM including directly supervising the Assistant Director for Operations, the veterinary health technician, and the IACUC Coordinator.
• Consult with researchers, as requested, in the design and writing of grants.
• Keep current personal-professional-veterinarian licenses and certifications that enable the University to fulfill PHS, USDA, and other regulatory requirements to ensure the continuance of the University’s PHS assurance (and, thereby, maintain the University’s eligibility to conduct research and deliver training using laboratory animals);
• Serve as a member of, and the primary veterinary-medical expert on, the University IACUC, and serve as UD’s principal representative/spokesperson during Federal and State Government inspections of animal facilities and animal-related protocol audits;
• Serve as the University’s veterinary-medical expert and primary point of contact (both internal and external to UD) for technical and regulatory matters concerning veterinary medicine and animal care and usage matters.  
• From an ACP perspective, work closely with the OLAM Manager to ensure that quality veterinary care is given to University laboratory animals and that ACP needs are adequately addressed concerning space management and business operations.
• On an as-needed basis, and as the UD “chief clinical and regulatory veterinarian”, provide specific or programmatic veterinary-medicine-related consultation and input at all levels of the University administration.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• D.V.M./V.M.D. or equivalent degree and five years of experience as a laboratory animal veterinarian, including management experience in a laboratory animal environment.
• Laboratory animal medicine training (residency or equivalent).
• American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine Board certification (preferred) or eligibility to take the certification exam.
• Must have a Veterinary License in any state and be eligible to apply for a veterinary license in Delaware, and must have a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Controlled Drug license.
• Ability to use advanced techniques in spreadsheet, and research database tools.
• Desired demonstrated attributes include 1) a commitment to high-quality and humane care of teaching and research animals; 2) effective leadership and communication skills; and
• Ability to provide quality laboratory animal medicine veterinary service in an academic setting, including Biological Safety Level (BSL)-2 and BSL-3 environments.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated and equity is a core value.
• Demonstrates an understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.