Research Support Manager

University of Chicago • Tamuning, GU

1d • $70,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus. The job manages scientific research projects or scientific research facilities. Uses considerable on-the-job experience to ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies. Works independently to write articles, reports and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences. Oversees the daily research support functions of the Animal Resources Center, primarily in the areas of facilities operations and investigator support services. Plans and develops SOPs and other policies pertinent to operational efficiency. Conceives and directs special projects related to the ARC support team as assigned by the ARC Associate Director and is a key source of information for the members of the ARC/OSRF senior management team. Departmental responsibilities include: investigator and facilities support, liaison with external service providers and assists with implementation of duties and responsibilities of the husbandry staff in conjunction with Charles River Project Manager and clinical veterinary staff. Manages team’s staff and their responsibilities.

Requirements

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5-7 years of experience in a scientific animal research setting.
• 5-7 years of experience in a biomedical environment.
• 1-3 years of experience with administrative/managerial office responsibilities.
• AALAS certification at LATg level, CMAR certification or eligibility.
• Advanced computer knowledge and skills strongly preferred: excel, etc.
• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team, ability to communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University, ability to prioritize.
• Strong decision-making skills and ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.
• High level of tact and discretionary judgment with regard to access of confidential material.
• Ability to work on more than one project at one time and meet deadlines.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.
• Must be detailed and organized and respect confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.

Responsibilities

• INVESTIGATOR SUPPORT Act as a liaison/resource person dealing with investigator requests, coordinate and oversee the integrity and accuracy of data/information relevant to investigator information and research. Proactively interact with faculty and research staff as needed to effectively and timely respond to all requests (animal orders, special diets, animal imports/exports, animal transports/transfers to and from facilities, special husbandry, facility access and space allocation) inquiries, and complaints about adequate support in the animal and core facilities. Coordinate investigator special projects involving research animals and/or specialized equipment/caging/supplies in both ARC and OSRF.
• FACILITIES OPERATIONS Manage the collection of data from the animal facilities, compile information on animal population densities (overcrowding), organize information on incidences of cage floods, verify presence of clean caging and supplies. Oversight of SOP program including ensuring compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) by overseeing the inspection of animal rooms, overseeing the submission of husbandry staff training documentation, produce draft/final reports, charts and present information to senior management on a monthly basis. Receive and monitor all husbandry related complaints from investigative staff and direct resolution with CR supervisory staff. Provide quarterly in-person trainings to husbandry staff. Manage animal facility access security system and animal facility training program requirements. Communicate to investigators the conditions for access and how to complete them. Ensure that investigators have fulfilled all relevant IACUC/ARC requirements/training in order to obtain access to the facilities. Provide investigators support and assistance in completing other types of requirements and/or training. Interact with other campus departments (Radiation Safety, Employee Health and Safety, Security, Building Management) to ensure training and access standards are enforced. Oversee ARC Injury Reporting Process in conjunction with UCAIR and Office of Research Safety. Responsible for on-boarding process for new staff, assisting them to gain access to university systems, to complete of initial training, and to execute other administrative tasks associated with the first week of work. Troubleshoots and leads improvement efforts.
• QUALITY CONTROL Audit and evaluate productivity through monthly performance metrics, and maintain database information. Direct supervisory staff for processing and implementation of PI requests. Maintain information systems for ARC/CR training, access to animal facilities and non-compliance issues. Work with the supervisory staff to understand facility issues, implement change, and promote efficiency.
• STAFF MANAGEMENT Oversee research support team, includes operations specialists and shipping/receiving dock personnel. Responsible for staff assignments and duties, oversee performance and time approving.
• AIMS REPLACEMENT/AURA PLATFORM Act as a subject matter expert with the implementation of the AURA platform replacing the AIMS database. Provide valuable input and recommendations for the ARC operations segment functionality, ensuring it will work well for investigators and their needs. Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design. Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology. Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts. Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews. Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperative management strategies or to develop information and interpret findings. Performs other related work as needed.

Benefits

• The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees