Research Colony Operations Manager
About The Position
The Colony Manager leads the daily operations of the canine and swine research colonies at the Francis Owen Blood Research Laboratory (FOBRL) to ensure predictable colony performance, high standards of animal welfare, and seamless integration of clinical care and research activities. Serving as a working operational leader, this role supervises technicians involved in animal care while providing advanced technical expertise in emergency care, hemostasis management, and breeding execution. The position collaborates closely with the Associate Director, Director/Principal Investigator (PI), veterinarians, and research teams to translate study requirements into coordinated colony workflows, scheduling, and documentation that support timely clinical decision-making. The Colony Manager leads SOP development, electronic medical record (EMR) integration, and resource optimization to improve efficiency, strengthen cross-team communication, and maintain regulatory compliance while promoting a professional and transparent team culture. The Colony Manager functions as the operational integrator of clinical, research, and colony systems to support long-term, consistent, high-quality program outcomes.
Requirements
- Demonstrated veterinary technician experience supporting large animal clinical care and research procedures, including emergency response and medication administration.
- Ability to organize and coordinate daily colony activities, maintain accurate records, and support population planning within research and space constraints.
- Experience providing day-to-day direction, training and mentorship to technical staff and reinforcing consistent professional and clinical practices.
- Ability to follow and support SOPs, maintain documentation, and work within regulated research environments (e.g., IACUC, USDA, AAALAC, DEA).
- Ability to work effectively across veterinary, husbandry, and research teams, using clear communication and sound professional judgment.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution in Animal Science, Biology, Veterinary Technology, or related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum four years of experience supporting large animal research or clinical programs, including participation in regulated research environments.
- Experience with canine and/or swine colony operations, including breeding coordination, breeding techniques, whelping, maternal and neonatal care.
Responsibilities
- Lead daily operations of canine and swine research colonies.
- Ensure predictable colony performance and high standards of animal welfare.
- Integrate clinical care and research activities.
- Supervise technicians involved in animal care.
- Provide technical expertise in emergency care, hemostasis management, and breeding execution.
- Collaborate with Associate Director, Director/PI, veterinarians, and research teams.
- Translate study requirements into coordinated colony workflows, scheduling, and documentation.
- Lead SOP development and EMR integration.
- Optimize resources to improve efficiency and strengthen cross-team communication.
- Maintain regulatory compliance.
- Promote a professional and transparent team culture.
- Function as the operational integrator of clinical, research, and colony systems.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
