Assistant Director, Office of Animal Care & Institutional Biosafety

University of Illinois Chicago•Chicago, IL

10d•Onsite

About The Position

At UIC, groundbreaking research requires more than great ideas. It requires knowledgeable professionals who can help investigators navigate complex regulatory requirements while advancing research responsibly, safely and efficiently. We are seeking an Assistant Director in our Office of Animal Care & Institutional Biosafety (OACIB) to play an important role supporting UIC's Animal Care Committee (ACC) and Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). This is an opportunity to bring your background in research, molecular biology, infectious agents, biosafety or research compliance to a major R1 research university and become a trusted resource to faculty and research teams. You will work directly with Principal Investigators, committee leadership, veterinary professionals, Environmental Health and Safety and research administration colleagues to help ensure that innovative science moves forward in accordance with federal requirements and institutional standards. If you enjoy science, solving complex problems, interpreting regulations and working collaboratively with researchers, this could be the next step in your career.

Requirements

A Bachelor's degree in biomedical, health science or related field is required; Master's degree preferred.
A minimum of 3 years of experience in animal research and molecular biology or infectious agent research.
Demonstrated knowledge of the federal regulations and guidelines that govern the conduct of research involving animals, recombinant/synthetic DNA, infectious agents, and other biohazardous agents.
Demonstrated analytical skills to gather, interpret, organize and present compliance-related data.
Demonstrated success working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams of external and internal individuals.
Strong communication skills.
Advanced knowledge of information systems (Word, Excel, Adobe, Access and other database applications).

Nice To Haves

Additional prior experience with regulatory oversight of research with animals, rDNA, and infectious agents is preferred.
Candidates with previous experience in regulatory oversight involving animal research, recombinant/synthetic DNA or infectious agents are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Partner with researchers.
Advise faculty, Principal Investigators, and research staff on regulatory and institutional requirements involving animal research, recombinant or synthetic DNA, infectious agents and other applicable biohazardous materials.
Review research protocols.
Evaluate ACC and IBC protocols and modifications, identify regulatory considerations, communicate required changes and guide submissions through the review and approval process.
Apply your expertise and professional judgment.
Interpret federal regulations, NIH Guidelines, institutional policies and other applicable requirements and make regulatory determinations on research protocols and modifications.
Help research move forward.
Work with investigators to resolve veterinary, ACC and IBC review comments and help research teams successfully complete approval requirements.
Support critical research oversight committees.
Provide knowledgeable, high-level support to ACC and IBC Chairs and committee members and contribute to the effective operation of UIC's research oversight programs.
Collaborate across UIC.
Serve as a liaison among investigators, veterinary staff, Environmental Health and Safety professionals sponsored programs colleagues, and other research partners.
Connect research compliance and funding.
Help investigators understand funding congruency requirements associated with animal research and coordinate with the Office of Sponsored Programs as appropriate.
Communicate complex information clearly.
Prepare correspondence documenting regulatory and committee determinations, required revisions and other compliance matters for investigators and institutional stakeholders.
Support a culture of research integrity.
Contribute to regulatory documentation, reports, policies, guidelines, non-compliance matters, web resources and special initiatives designed to strengthen UIC's research protections programs.