Director - R.O. Burrell Laboratory

Position Overview

The St. Boniface Hospital is seeking a highly qualified candidate to be the Director and attending veterinarian for the R.O. Burrell Laboratory located in the St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre (SBHARC). This position reports to the Executive Director of Research and key functions include managing and directing the administrative, in vivo research platform, animal welfare assurance, animal husbandry procedures and provision of veterinary care. The Director assists in assuring compliance with all legal requirements and regulatory agencies as well as internal policies concerning the use of animals in research. The Director serves as a member of the U Manitoba Animal Care Committee as the Institutional Veterinarian of record for STBHRC. The Director is responsible for leading a division that administers a high-quality program of support to investigators for the successful conduct of research projects and ensures animal ethics protocols meet established standards.

Major duties include:

• Oversee the design, implementation and operation of an animal welfare assurance program to ensure the humane care of animals in SBHARC’s multiple research and training programs occurs at all times. Act as the primary liaison with governmental and animal welfare agencies.
• Directing the day-to-day operation of an animal facility and providing solutions to the associated environmental and husbandry problems. Oversee fiscal assignments, budget proposals, fee schedule development and allocations. Maintain cost efficiencies and meet cost recovery targets in the operations of the facility.
• Operation of a core in vivo research program able to conduct multiple concurrent projects from multiple different sponsors. Familiarity with the creation, assessment and pathophysiology of common animal models of human disease. Assurance of competent personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, and methodologies are available to meet study and project objectives and their timelines. Conduct new equipment evaluation to improve and expand in vivo support.
• Manage a surgical skills training center for resident physicians. This includes familiarity with common human surgical procedures, complementary animal anesthetic protocols and acquisition of necessary equipment to ensure the facility continues to offer an environment that is relevant to the clinical situation. Oversee and provide training of staff to provide support for this program.
• Personnel supervisory responsibilities that include recruiting, mentoring, addressing complaints, and conflict resolution. Communicating areas of accountability and performance expectations to staff including the establishment of standards of performance as a basis for yearly review of all lab staff. Ensure safe work practices are developed and maintained.
• Clinical Veterinary medical and surgical duties with multiple laboratory animal species such as rodents, swine and aquatic species. Provide resolution of medical cases for all species housed and leadership on biosecurity, preventative, surgical, and medical care. Be available for after-hours emergency, weekend, and holiday care of the research animals.
• Act as a resource for investigators, graduate students, and staff related to grant development, study implementation, study design, in vivo methodologies, genetically modified mouse reproduction and health or welfare issues.

Experience

• Five (5) five years of Veterinary clinical experience.
• Significant and relevant experience in managing a laboratory animal resource program with a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience.
• A minimum of 5 years of experience operating an in vivo research core facility.
• Demonstrated experience using a variety of computer systems and programs (including business applications, MS suite) and animal facility management software.
• Veterinary medical and surgical experience with laboratory animal species including rodents, swine and aquatic species as well as having experience in managing operations of an animal biosafety level 2 facility.
• Experience with major capital building projects and the ability to participate in ongoing building maintenance decisions.

Education (Degree/Diploma/Certificate)

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree.

Certification/Licensure/Registration

• Must possess a valid Veterinary license to practice veterinary medicine in Manitoba or obtain same within 6 months. American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) diplomate status would be an asset.

Qualifications and Skills

• Evidence of strong communication skills, and the ability to organize and present information in a logical manner.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a demonstrated ability to foster constructive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Significant knowledge of the regulatory and compliance environment regulating animal research in Canada and Manitoba. Familiarity with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) requirements is an asset.

Physical Requirements

Not Applicable