Supervisor, Research Animal Lab

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

2d•$77,600 - $116,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Supervisor, Research Animal Lab provides direct research support by managing the Gorbunova and Seluanov laboratories and supervising more than 23 staff members, students, and postdoctoral researchers involved in animal care and research. The role ensures compliance with applicable regulations, UCAR/IACUC protocols, Animal Resource policies, and Standard Operating Procedures. It oversees animal breeding and aging colony management, husbandry practices, staff training, and daily laboratory operations for all species, including weekend and holiday coverage. The supervisor 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. The position supervises daily operations across two large laboratories, helps develop UCAR protocols with principal investigators, organizes research activities under approved protocols, and teaches laboratory techniques and procedures. It ensures staff and students are appropriately trained, animal health and welfare concerns are reported, and protocols are maintained through submissions, renewals, and modifications. The supervisor coordinates husbandry and monitoring for animals, including aging mice and species with special care needs, and provides weekend and holiday coverage. Additional duties include supervising research animal procedures, maintaining appropriate records, designing animal studies, collecting and analyzing animal tissues for assays, and establishing new technologies with collaborators. Other projects and job duties may be assigned.

Requirements

Associate's degree and 7 years of relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Licensed Veterinary Technician-NAVTA certification upon hire.
Strong management, interpersonal, organizational, customer service, and written and verbal communication skills are strongly preferred.

Nice To Haves

15 or more years working in a laboratory animal research facility.
3 years of demonstrated leadership experience.
Prior experience managing a research animal laboratory.

Responsibilities

Supervise the day-to-day operation of two large laboratories and the staff, students, and postdoctoral researchers supporting animal care and research.
Ensure animal-care and research activities comply with applicable regulations, UCAR/IACUC-approved protocols, Animal Resources policies, Standard Operating Procedures, veterinary directives, and required monitoring practices.
Participate in annual performance evaluations for staff.
Collaborate with principal investigators to write UCAR protocols, including materials, methods, and schedules of activities.
Organize research laboratory activities in accordance with approved protocols and teach laboratory techniques and procedures.
Train staff and students in animal husbandry, breeding colony management, approved procedures, and applicable policies and procedures.
Assign responsibilities according to UCAR-approved protocols and ensure animal health and welfare concerns are reported to supervisors, veterinary staff, and UCAR when warranted.
Maintain UCAR protocols, including original submissions, triannual renewals, and modifications, and work with UCAR and Animal Resources on compliance matters.
Ensure husbandry for animals under the laboratory’s care according to approved satellite husbandry plans, including weekend and holiday coverage.
Ensure experimental mice, including aging mice, are monitored at the frequency approved by UCAR.
Supervise the setup of experiments and procedures in support of laboratory goals and grant commitments.
Coordinate appropriate husbandry for naked mole rats, Damaraland mole rats, and degu, and collaborate with Animal Resources regarding special care needs.
Supervise students, research technical staff, and postdoctoral researchers in research animal procedures and practices and execution of projects under approved protocols.
Instruct students and professional staff in record keeping, including breeding and experimental animal census, laboratory notebooks, chemical inventory, and hazardous waste disposal.
Design animal studies and collect and analyze animal tissues for use in assays.
Communicate with internal and external collaborators to identify and establish new technologies in the laboratories.
Complete other projects and job duties as assigned.