Development and Integration Lead

University of British Columbia•Vancouver, BC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Development and Integration Lead is a key member of the Centre for Comparative Medicine (CCM) and Animal Care Services (ACS) Team, responsible for shaping and leading the uptake of and capacity for complex and innovative large animal and non-rodent research and pre-clinical models. This role leads training across diverse user groups, integrates and advances surgical and procedural methodologies and clinical protocols, and coordinates educational outreach. This role also involves project planning, research protocol development, stakeholder engagement, and quality management across large animal and non-rodent programs. The Development and Integration Lead plays a central role in expanding CCM’s large animal model research capacity, improving project workflows, strengthening compliance, enhancing user training, and supporting strategic growth in large animal and non-rodent research model development. The Development and Integration Lead is a subject matter expert in the field of veterinary medicine and research, and works with other leaders including veterinarians, project managers, researchers, Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVT), Animal Care Technicians (ACTs) and external partners, to drive project excellence, technical accuracy, and high standards of animal welfare. The position supports the institution’s efforts to ensure that all education, training, and research involving the use of animals conducted at the University of British Columbia is in accordance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) and University rules and regulation. The Development and Integration Lead directs and implements new and refined models, techniques, and training for the animal research community for both UBC and biotechnical industry partners.

Requirements

University degree in relevant discipline or completion of a technical program and a minimum five years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Some positions may require a graduate degree.
Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Nice To Haves

Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT) designation or equivalent experience preferred.
Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) or other accreditations considered an asset.
Experience with laboratory animal science, large animal technical procedures, and research projects.
Demonstrated expertise in advanced technical and surgical procedures in animal models.
Experience developing research protocols, technical documentation, or study designs.
Experience supervising and training technical staff.
Knowledge of CCAC, UBC ACC, and ACS policies, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks.
Excellent communication, stakeholder-management, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while managing multiple complex projects.
Demonstrated commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices.
Familiarity with quality management systems and facility operations considered an asset.
Effective oral and written communication, interpersonal, organizational and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

Develops and implements training frameworks incorporating advanced technical methodologies that support efficient project workflows and operational processes for ACS.
Initiates, leads and manages the design, delivery, and maintenance of highly specialized, technically complex large animal and non-rodent animal training across user groups within ACS, UBC, and the biotechnical industry partners through didactic and hands-on educational programs, establishing standards for procedural and surgical competencies.
Creates and maintains training content, including online modules, skill assessments, and program materials, ensuring content is adapted for various veterinary and non-veterinary/technical audiences.
Directs and manages training sessions, designates, manages and approves trainers, and oversees proficiency standards for staff, students, researchers, and collaborators.
Identifies, coordinates the development of, and implements new training programs not currently offered with the aim of providing both animal welfare and research excellence, focused on large animal pre-clinical research models.
Responsible for management activities, new training projects, and initiatives to promote quality science-based approach on the appropriate use of animals in science.
Designs, modifies, and directs training for advanced surgical and clinical procedures on multiple large-animal and non-rodent species, in accordance with approved protocols. Procedures may include anesthesia, surgical interventions, medical imaging, and in-vivo placement of medical and/or research equipment.
Ensures training provided to all stakeholders is compliant with guidelines, policies, and standards set by the CCAC, UBC’s Animal Care Committee (ACC), and ACS
Develops and launches an official practicum student program to support educational collaboration and outreach within UBC and affiliated veterinary institutions.
Integrates training pathways into staff growth opportunities, enabling advancement in technical and leadership skills
In collaboration with ACS Leadership, establishes and builds a sustainable platform to showcase and monetize the demand for specialized training.
Performs regular review and audits of training material content to ensure compliance with current regulations and University policies. This may include conducting user surveys, setting up focus groups and meeting with stakeholders.
Leads refinements or redesign of content, as required.
Responsible for training timelines, schedules, and resource allocations to ensure successful and timely project execution, for both internal (CCM) and external (UBC or biotechnical partners) staff training.
Manages stakeholder expectations and communication of project constraints, timelines, and intended use of resources, especially related to training and model development.
Reviews and validates billing associated with training and/or model development to ensure accuracy and consistency with project deliverables.
Collaborates with the Clinical Veterinarians to develop and deliver new or revised clinical and standard operating procedures, workflows, work instructions, and process improvements.
Acts as a resource and subject matter expert to provide advice, guidance, and assistance to animal users using large animal research models
Develops, validates, and implements novel large animal and non-rodent procedural models and methodologies not previously established within ACS.
Advises internal and external research teams on experimental design, technical feasibility, and interpretation of procedural outcomes
Leads the design and refinement of innovative procedural techniques to support emerging research needs.
Evaluates, pilots, and integrates new technologies, instrumentation, procedural and surgical approaches to advance institutional research capacity.
Determines appropriate advanced approaches for high-risk and/or complex live animal research projects, including procedural, surgical, and perioperative care.
Collaborates with research teams, Clinical Veterinarians, and Project Manager to write and advise on the technical development and refinement of research protocols for internal and industry partners, primarily concentrating on specifying procedural and medical requirements for diverse animal models.
Attends stakeholder meetings to gather requirements and scope project needs, ensuring accuracy of protocol development, ensuring compliance and regulatory standards
Acts as the primary technical authority for troubleshooting and resolving complex procedural challenges across ACS programs
Represents ACS in collaborations requiring advanced surgical, medical, and clinical expertise
Coordinates external partnerships, showcases programs, and supports recruitment of new training clients
Contributes to strategic planning for capacity expansion, resource forecasting, and platform development.
Contributes to UBC ACC and CCM Policy, Guideline, and SOP development, review, and maintenance.
Contributes to external training initiatives or technical advisory groups within the field
Participates in hiring, training, and supervision of RVTs, Project Technicians and Research Veterinary Assistants (RVA)
Liaises with veterinarians, managers, and project teams to support effective communication, workflow efficiency, and operational readiness.
Trains and educates facility staff and diverse user groups in new processes, procedures, technical skills, medical and surgical techniques, and quality standards.
Monitors proficiency and ensures adherence to best practices and contributes to staff development pathways.
Provides and monitors training of animal research team members
Provides recommendations for training and administrative procedural improvements to ACS Leadership
Evaluates and incorporates technical advancements from peer institutions to maintain institutional leadership
Is a subject matter expert and maintains up-to-date knowledge in areas of veterinary, medical, technical, and research expertise; engages in continuing education and maintains certifications.
Handles confidential information related to personnel, research projects, and facility locations in accordance with institutional privacy requirements.
Facilitates interpersonal communication and relationship building through partnership with the ACS leadership team, clinical veterinarians, animal care technicians, registered veterinary technicians, staff, animal users, and research team collaborators.
Participates on the CCM Safety Committee and contributes to safety initiatives.
Ensures training for all procedures encompasses safety awareness and current safety standards, and ensures safety updates are integrated into standard training
Performs additional related duties as required.