Supervisor, Research Animal Lab

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

11d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides direct research support through overall management of the Gorbunova and Seluanov laboratories and supervision of staff and students involved in animal care and research activities. Ensures compliance with all applicable regulations, UCAR/IACUC protocols, Animal Resource policies, and Standard Operating Procedures. Oversee animal breeding and aging colony management, husbandry practices, staff training, and daily laboratory operations for all species, including weekend and holiday coverage. Collaborates with UCAR/IACUC, Animal Resource, DCM veterinarians, Facilities, and research collaborators to support compliance, animal welfare, laboratory operations, training and implementation of new technologies.

Requirements

Associate's degree and 7 years of experience in animal handling required Or equivalent combination of education and experience
3 years demonstrated leadership experience required
Strong attention to detail, interpersonal, organization, demonstrated customer service skills, and communication skills (including written communication). required
Ability to lift repetitively up to 50 lbs and ability to work weekends and holidays when necessary. required
Knowledge of computer software packages. required

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in a lab animal facility preferred
Knowledge of animal husbandry and knowledge of regulations related to animal husbandry. preferred
Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) preferred

Responsibilities

Supervises students (graduate and undergraduate) and staff (research technicians and post-doctoral and visiting scientists) in providing high-quality care for all research animals used by the laboratory.
Ensures personnel perform duties in compliance with all applicable regulations, UCAR/IACUC-approved protocols, UCAR/Animal Resources policies, and Standard Operating Procedures, including required animal monitoring, adherence to veterinary directives, and proper procedural practices.
Participate in the annual performance evaluation process for all staff.
Ensures personnel receive appropriate training in animal husbandry, breeding colony management, procedures approved under UCAR protocols, and applicable UCAR and Animal Resources policies and procedures.
Understand all aspects of the UCAR-approved protocol and assign responsibilities to students and staff accordingly.
Ensure students and staff report all animal health and welfare concerns to supervisor and veterinary staff and UCAR, if warranted.
Maintain approved UCAR protocols including original submissions, triannual renewals, and submission of modifications as needed.
Works closely with UCAR and Animal Resources on compliance-related matters.
Ensure provision of husbandry to all animals under lab’s care as per UCAR approved satellite husbandry management plan including weekend and holiday coverage.
Ensure lab monitor all experimental mice (including aging mice) as per UCAR approved monitoring frequency.
Coordinates proper husbandry practices for animal species such as naked mole rats, Damaraland mole rats and degu under laboratory care and collaborates with Animal Resources regarding special care needs.
Train and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, research technical staff, and post-doctorates on research animal procedures and practices.
Supervise lab staff to execute projects as per UCAR approved protocols.
Instruct students and professional staff in the proper method of record keeping (breeding and experimental animal census, laboratory notebooks, chemical inventory and hazardous waste disposal).
Responsible for designing animal studies as well as collection and analysis of animal tissues for use in assays.
Communicate with other collaborators, internally and externally, to learn new technologies to establish in the laboratories.
Other projects and job duties as assigned.