Animal Welfare Officer

Te Whiwhinga mahi The opportunity 

We are seeking a highly experienced Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) to provide veterinary leadership and institutional oversight for all research and teaching activities involving animals at Waipapa Taumata Rau The University of Auckland. 

You will act as the Universitys primary expert and advisor on animal welfare ensuring compliance with New Zealand animal welfare legislation while upholding the highest standards of care and ethical practice and enabling compliant responsible and world class research outcomes. 

You will lead with an enable and empower approach supporting your team and the research community to apply animal welfare standards confidently ethically and consistently in a complex research environment. 

Main responsibilities and duties: 

• Lead and empower your team of Clinical Services Veterinarians building capability confidence and professional judgement through clear scope mentoring and development. 

• Partner effectively with internal and external stakeholders (researchers animal facility managers technicians regulators and sector peers) to enable ethical high quality research. 

• Ensure compliance with New Zealand animal welfare legislation the Codes of Ethical Conduct and University policies providing clear pragmatic guidance and helping researchers to proceed safely and confidently. 

• Lead education and training programmes for animal care staff and researchers on animal ethics legislation refinement of animal manipulations the use of medicines in animals and the application of the 3Rs (Replacement Reduction and Refinement) aligned with sector expectations and good practice guidelines. 

• Provide trusted advice to the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and senior stakeholders to identify manage and mitigate animal welfare risks. 

• Partner with the AEC Manager to support the effective and efficient pre-screening of applications to the AEC.  

• Partner with the Animal Research and Compliance Manager to deliver inspections audits and monitoring of animal facilities and research activities with appropriate follow up and continuous improvement actions. 

• Use data IT systems and reporting to articulate processes demonstrate service effectiveness and drive ongoing service improvement. 

This is a fulltime permanent contract (37.5 hours per week) at Band I with a salary range of NZ$112100 NZ$137200 per annum. 

The role is based at 49 Symonds Street Auckland CBD with regular regional travel to University animal facilities including locations such as Leigh Marine Laboratory.  

A full New Zealand driver licence is required. The role also participates in a shared on call roster to provide service coverage within agreed hours. 

For further details please review the position description. 

He kōrero mōu  About you 

You are a New Zealand registered veterinarian with substantial professional experience and a strong commitment to animal welfare. You are a confident people focused leader who enables others to succeed by building capability clarity and trust. 

You will ideally bring: 

• Significant clinical veterinary experience underpinned by a strong animal welfare focus. 

• Comprehensive knowledge of New Zealand animal welfare legislation ethical standards and compliance requirements. 

• Experience working with laboratory animals in a research or teaching environment (highly desirable). 

• Demonstrated ability to lead support and empower teams fostering confidence accountability and professional growth. 

• Strong capability working with data IT systems and reporting using information to evidence service effectiveness and drive continuous improvement. 

• A collaborative leadership style with proven success partnering with researchers committees and senior stakeholders and enabling practical ethical solutions. 

• Confidence making robust defensible decisions in complex or sensitive situations supported by excellent communication and judgement. 

Mō tō mātou rōpū  About the team 

You will be part of Te Puna Tiketike  Research and Innovation Office (RIO) a service division that supports the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) to deliver the Universitys research and innovation strategy. 

Reporting to the Associate Director Research Operations Ethics and Integrity the Animal Welfare team includes a small highly specialised team of Clinical Services Veterinarians. This team serves as the Universitys subject matter experts in animal health and welfare and delivers a critical service that underpins ethical compliant and high quality medical and scientific research across the University. 

Qualifications :

Postgraduate qualifications in animal welfare laboratory animal science or a related field (eg MSc PhD or Diploma) 

Additional Information :

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou  What we offer 

Waipapa Taumata Rau  The University of Auckland - is New Zealands leading university. We employ more than 5400 academic and professional staff to support over 41000 students making us one of NZs largest employers. 

We offer you the opportunity to join a dynamic world-class institution in one of the worlds most desirable cities. 

The University is committed to providing an excellent working environment through the following: 

• Flexible employment practices (including working from home and flexible hours) 

• Up to 6.75% company superannuation scheme 

• A competitive salary with five weeks annual leave 

In addition we also offer career development programs discounted car parking a generous parental leave allowance childcare and other discounts on internal and external services. 

For more information please visitStaff Benefits. 

Me pēhea te tuku tono  How to apply 

Applications must be submitted online by the closing date of Friday 20th of February 2026 (NZST) to be considered. Please include your cover letter and CV highlighting how you can meet the abovementioned skills and experiences.  

Please reach out to Nick Kearns on   for a confidential conversation. Please note we are happy to answer your questions but we do not accept applications by email. 

Equity

The University is committed to meeting its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi and achieving equity outcomes for staff and students in a safe inclusive and equitable environment.  For further information on services for Māori Pacific women LGBTQIATakatāpuiMVPFAFF people with disabilities parenting support flexible work and other personal circumstances go to 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time