Animal Facility Veterinarian

Axle • Bethesda, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Axle is seeking an Animal Facility Veterinarian to join its team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), supporting the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in Bethesda, Maryland. The veterinarian will provide veterinary services and participate in the VRC Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) to support research activities. Duties include clinical veterinary care, animal welfare oversight, and compliance with regulatory standards. The role provides routine and emergency care for laboratory animals in the TRP vivarium, primarily mice and guinea pigs, and may involve small-animal and non-human-primate experiments.

The position includes clinical treatment, surgeries, postoperative care, euthanasia when necessary, health assessments, preventive care, recordkeeping, protocol review, staff training, and participation in ACUC meetings and inspections. The veterinarian will document services and compliance, contribute to animal-care policies and procedures, and advise researchers on appropriate care and treatment of experimental animals.

Requirements

• DVM degree from an accredited institution.
• Current license to practice veterinary medicine from a U.S. state.
• Board certification or eligibility in laboratory animal medicine (ACLAM).
• At least three years of experience in laboratory animal medicine.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for animal care and use.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use Microsoft Suite products.
• Biology and zoology knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Provide routine and emergency medical care to research colonies and laboratory animals, primarily mice and guinea pigs.
• Perform animal surgeries and surgical procedures as needed, including spay and neuter procedures, hernia repairs, growth removals, and dental extractions.
• Provide postoperative care and perform euthanasia as necessary.
• Conduct regular health assessments and preventive care programs; diagnose and treat animal illnesses and injuries.
• Maintain accurate and complete medical records and update facility databases, including records of treatments, examinations, test results, surgeries, and outcomes.
• Ensure facility compliance with applicable federal, state, local, departmental, and institutional laws, regulations, and guidelines.
• Develop and implement animal-care protocols, standard operating procedures, policies, and procedures.
• Train and guide research staff in proper animal handling, care, and use, and maintain training materials and records.
• Review and evaluate animal-use protocols and provide written evaluations and recommendations to the ACUC, supporting ethical and humane treatment of animals.
• Participate in small-animal and non-human-primate experiments, monitor experimental conditions, and recommend appropriate animal care and treatment to researchers.
• Serve as a voting member of the VRC ACUC and attend and participate in scheduled ACUC meetings and inspections.
• Prepare monthly reports summarizing veterinary services, including health assessments, treatments, and surgeries.
• Meet with laboratory members to present updates as needed.

Benefits

• 100% medical, dental, and vision coverage for employees.
• Paid time off and paid holidays.
• 401(k) match up to 5%.
• Educational benefits for career growth.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Flexible spending accounts, including healthcare FSA, parking reimbursement account, dependent care assistance program, and transportation reimbursement account.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree