Supervisor, Research Animal Lab

University of Rochester•Rochester, NY

4d•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, students, and postdoctoral researchers involved in animal care and research. The role 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 ensures compliance with applicable regulations, UCAR/IACUC protocols, Animal Resource policies, and Standard Operating Procedures. The position collaborates with UCAR/IACUC, Animal Resource, DCM veterinarians, Facilities, principal investigators, and research collaborators to support compliance, animal welfare, laboratory operations, training, and implementation of new technologies.

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 of experience working in a laboratory animal research facility.
Three years of demonstrated leadership experience.
Prior experience managing a research animal laboratory.

Responsibilities

Supervise the day-to-day operation of two laboratories and the staff, students, and postdoctoral researchers who provide care for research animals.
Ensure staff activities comply with regulations, approved UCAR/IACUC protocols, Animal Resources policies, Standard Operating Procedures, veterinary directives, and required animal-monitoring practices.
Participate in the annual performance evaluation process for staff.
Collaborate with principal investigators on UCAR protocols, including materials, methods, and schedules of activities.
Organize laboratory research 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.
Understand UCAR-approved protocols and assign responsibilities to staff and students accordingly.
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 in accordance with the approved satellite husbandry management plan, including weekend and holiday coverage.
Ensure experimental mice, including aging mice, are monitored at the frequency specified in the approved protocol.
Supervise the setup of experiments and procedures that support laboratory goals and grant commitments.
Coordinate husbandry for species including naked mole rats, Damaraland mole rats, and degu, and collaborate with Animal Resources regarding their special care needs.
Train and supervise graduate and undergraduate students, research technical staff, and postdoctoral researchers in research animal procedures and practices.
Supervise staff in executing projects under UCAR-approved protocols.
Teach students and professional staff proper recordkeeping, including breeding and experimental animal censuses, 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 learn new technologies and establish them in the laboratories.
Perform other projects and job duties as assigned.