Assistant Director, Animal Resources (Sylvia West)

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

We have a faculty equivalent opening for the Assistant Director of Animal Resources. This is an administrative role as an additional appointment to the Associate Veterinary Scientist at the Field Station. As stated in the primary position of the Associate Veterinary Scientist the successful candidate will join a team of thirteen veterinarians within the EPC Division of Animal Resources which is responsible for the care and well-being of a large population of nonhuman primates. ENPRC is a major biomedical research institution with its main facilities at Emory University and a 117-acre Field Station in Lawrenceville. The position will primarily be based at the Field Station in Lawrenceville Georgia. ENPRC veterinary staff provides preventative and clinical veterinary care for the nonhuman primate colony and a small rodent colony at the Main Center as well as research support to the resident and collaborating scientists in a diverse array of disciplines including immunology infectious diseases neuroscience transplant medicine imaging psychobiology and other areas of research. The successful candidate will contribute to a wider range of IACUC colony management behavioral management and training activities and participate in the planning design and or renovation of existing and new animal research facilities. S/he will lead supervision of veterinary technicians veterinarians and contribute to Emorys ACLAM residency training program.

The ideal candidate will have a DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA accredited institution be licensed to practice veterinary medicine and have training or experience in nonhuman primate research medicine. Experience with personnel management and clinic oversight is preferred. S/he will also have excellent interpersonal and team building skills and strong written/oral communication skills. ACLAM certification or board eligibility is highly desirable as are knowledge and hands on experience in surgical and medical procedures in nonhuman primates and experience with nonhuman primate breeding colony management. Collaborative involvement with investigators is strongly encouraged and prior experience in an academic environment is a plus. An excellent remuneration package will be offered to the right individual. As noted this position is based/housed at the Emory Field Station in Lawrenceville Georgia although the new hire will be part of the overall veterinary department that is based at both the Main Center (Atlanta Emory University campus) and Field Station. The Assistant Director of the Field Station works in collaboration with and reports directly to the Associate Director of Animal Resources.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Is responsible for all facets of the Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC) Division of Animal Resources (DAR) veterinary clinical and technological programs in the practice of laboratory animal medicine. Reports to the Director and oversees the clinical practice of veterinary medicine both preventive and interventional aspects technical programs of investigator support (e.g. anesthesiology post-operative care) surgical and imaging resources managed by the EPC DAR services of the diagnostic laboratory and operations of the necropsy suite.
• Is responsible for the clinical laboratory and necropsy budget and supervision of assigned faculty clinical veterinarians clinical veterinary residents and the team of veterinary technicians.
• Assures compliance with all applicable laws regulations and animal welfare standards.
• Supports the faculty through advice and assistance on the conduct of animal studies including support of safety programs where radioactive materials toxic chemicals and/or biohazards are used in animals.
• Provides for maintenance of proper records and timely submission of required reports.
• Assists with educational programs for technical and research personnel.
• Serves on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
• Assists with postdoctoral programs in Laboratory Animal Medicine.
• Provides other services and activities as assigned by the Director Animal Resources.
• Acts with the Operations Manager and the Division Administrator to jointly lead the animal resource program and serve as the normal on-site representative of the EPC DAR to other university entities and Medical School leadership in the absence of the Director.
• May be responsible for any or all responsibilities detailed in the job description of the Director Animal Resources.

Clinical

• Clinical care of all animal species at the Field Station (monkeys and chimpanzees).
• Surgical intervention and support as necessary.
• Emergency veterinary support on weekday evenings and weekends at the Field Station on a rotating basis.
• Emergency veterinary support on holidays at both the Main Center and Field Station on a rotating basis.
• Participation in clinical and pathology rounds.
• Communication and guidance of other Field Station units (Colony Management Animal Care Research Labs and Behavioral Management) regarding the clinical health and welfare of animals.

Colony Care and Management

• Leads bi-monthly colony management committee meetings and monthly field station administration meetings.
• Participation in the Monkey Allocation Committee for selection of animals for research assignment.
• Oversight of the SPF breeding program and part of the U42 grant to support the SPF program.
• Oversight of breeding programs.
• Management of quarantine animals.
• Processing animals for shipments.
• Communication and collaboration with the Main Center veterinarians for animal transfers.

Research

• Provide guidance on protocol development to investigators including IACUC veterinary consults.
  Collect research sample specimens including rectal and lymph node biopsies bone marrow and lymph node aspirates
  CSF collection etc.
• Communication with investigators regarding Field Station assigned research animals.
• Initiate and/or collaborate in clinical and laboratory animals medicine research studies including project design
  proposal preparation and publication of findings.
  Prepares case reports abstracts posters and platform sessions for presentation at professional meetings.

Administrative/Regulatory

• Management of veterinary technicians and Field Station based veterinarians.
• Guidance collaboration and daily oversight of other Field Station Animal Resource units.
• Ensure ongoing activities are in compliance with current regulations institutional SOPs and approved IACUC protocols.
• Opportunities for participation in committees (e.g. IACUC Safety and Allocation committees).
• Budget Management.
• Contributions to preparation of regulatory reporting (AAALAC PD USDA Annual Report etc).
• Contributions to preparation of grant applications to support Field Station activities (P51 U42 C06 etc.).
• Preparation for and lead role in IACUC and USDA inspections at FS as well as NIH and AAALAC site visits.
• Maintain Licenses: State of Georgia Vet License USDA Accreditation DEA License and Georgia Pharmacy License.
• Participate in NPRC Consortium Working Groups (Breeding and Colony Management Consortium).

Preventative Medicine

• Preventative health management of monkeys and chimpanzees.
• Participation in routine examinations of monkeys and chimps.
• Participation in the assessment of quarantine animals.

Training

• Oversight and training of veterinary technicians externs interns and residents.
• Participation in monthly training sessions including primate grand rounds histopathology rounds and the journal club.
• Participation in informal didactic training of residents and others.
• Training of research and animal care staff as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree.
• Four years experience in laboratory animal medicine.
• Passing of ACLAM Board Examinations preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• DVM/VMD degree from an AVMA accredited institution be licensed to practice veterinary medicine and have a minimum of 5 years of experience in laboratory animal medicine.
• ACLAM certification or board eligibility is highly desirable as are knowledge and hands on experience in surgical
  and medical procedures in nonhuman primates.
• Prior experience in an academic environment and management is a plus.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:

• Work environment involves working with biohazardous blood and tissues.
• Work environment involves some exposure to hazards or physical risks which require following basic
  safety precautions.
• Your work schedule will be communicated to you by your supervisor.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING STATEMENT:

The Emory National Primate Research Center (EPC) in conjunction with Emory University conducts pre-employment screenings for all positions. These screenings may include an Information Network Associates (INA) and criminal background check and verification of work history academic credentials licenses and addition the process may include a drug screening with health assessment and review and mandate for various vaccinations. Updated COVID-19 vaccinations may be necessary for specific research projects.

NOTE: Position tasks are required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location; working remote is not an option. Emory reserves the right to change this status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex national origin disability protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions educational programs or employment including recruitment hiring promotions transfers discipline terminations wage and salary administration benefits and training. Students faculty and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act and applicable executive orders federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination equal opportunity and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance 201 Dowman Drive Administration Building Atlanta GA 30322. Telephone: (V) (TDD).

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