Position Summary Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) who also serves as the Institutional Official for the animal care and use program, the Executive Director will assume leadership of the BRL during a unique time as the BRL closes out the long-term, successful leadership under the prior director, a $25M renovation of the central facility which has just been completed , as the program implements new electronic resources in support of improving work processes and the facilitation of research. The new Executive Director will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team of five veterinarians and 60 FTEs at an exciting time for the research enterprise at UIC, overseen by a VCR who has set an ambitious, aspirational, and collaborative commitment to the mission and vision of UIC as a major comprehensive urban research university for the 21st century. Duties & Responsibilities
• Program Leadership and Management
• Overseeing and directing the university's animal care and use program from an operational and fiscal perspective.
• Serving as the institution’s Attending Veterinarian and as a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC); reviewing research protocols, ensuring ethical considerations, and addressing concerns related to animal use and welfare.
• Serving as a member of the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC); advising on and monitoring biohazard control policies and procedures relevant to the animal care and use program.
• Working in close partnership with the Office of Animal Care and Institutional Biosafety.
• Ensuring compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), Public Health Service (PHS) Policy and other relevant regulations and guidelines, and maintaining AAALAC International accreditation; drafting or reviewing regulatory documents required for compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines, and policies, including PHS Assurance documents, USDA Program of Veterinary Care, USDA Annual Reports, Annual Reports to OLAW (in collaboration with IACUC), and AAALAC annual reports.
• Participating in semi-annual reviews of the institution’s Animal Care and Use Program, and animal facilities.
• Developing, implementing, and maintaining policies and procedures for the care and use of animals in research, teaching, and testing.
• Serving as a key advisor to university administration, faculty, and staff on matters related to experimental design, animal welfare and research compliance.
• Veterinary Care
• Providing veterinary oversight and direct clinical care for research animals, including preventive medicine, diagnosis, treatment, and surgical procedures.
• Developing and implementing health monitoring programs, including disease surveillance and management.
• Ensuring proper housing, husbandry, and enrichment for all animals, adhering to institutional standards and regulatory requirements.
• Providing veterinary expertise to investigators in a consultative capacity for animal protocol development and animal model choices/development, advising PIs in experimental design (e.g., for grant applications), particularly within the context of animal welfare and ensuring adequate veterinary care.
• Compliance and Education
• Overseeing the development and implementation of training to ensure faculty, staff, and students conduct their research in a manner that is of the highest standard and meets regulatory requirements.
• Coordination with the Office of Animal Care and Institutional Biosafety and the IACUC in monitoring and addressing any non-compliance issues, including the initiation of investigations and the development of corrective action plans as needed.
• Engaging in the postdoctoral training program.
• Strategic Planning and Budgeting
• Developing and managing the budget for the Animal Care and Use Program, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to support program needs in alignment with internal and externa
