Animal Care & Use Training Specialist

Job Description

Join Our Team as an Animal Care & Use Training Specialist at the Freimann Life Science Center ( FLSC ) at the University of Notre Dame!

Are you passionate about animal care and advancing scientific discovery? Are you looking to make an impact? Would you like to be part of a team dedicated to supporting and caring for our animal heroes in research?

The Laboratory Animal Care and Use Training Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive training programs for all Notre Dame personnel involved in the use of laboratory animals in research and teaching, including both animal facility staff and academic researchers. The Training Specialist collaborates with various departments to promote a culture of responsibility, safety, and continuous improvement for the University’s animal care and use.

Key Responsibilities

• Training Material and Program Development:
• Design and develop training materials and courses on the ethical and humane care and use of laboratory animals. Training areas will include but not be limited to a) husbandry standards b) clinical assessments c) bio-methodology techniques d) federal and state regulations e) facility usage and f) other topics associated with humane care and usage of research models.
• Ensure appropriate training on sanitizing equipment.
• Ensure that training materials are current with evolving regulations and policies concerning lab animal use.
• Customize and expand training topics to meet the specific needs of research teams.
• Work closely with the IACUC team to ensure investigators and research staff are competent in performing skills outlined in proposed protocols.
• Training Delivery:
• Conduct in-person and virtual training sessions for faculty, staff, and students, involved in animal research, including the animal care staff.
• Provide hands-on training and demonstrations of animal handling, surgical procedures, anesthesia, and euthanasia techniques. Develop competency assessments used to ensure that researchers can perform procedures and techniques required for their approved ( IACUC ) research protocols.
• Coordinate skill assessments and mandatory training with the IACUC approval process.
• Compliance and Record Keeping:
• Maintain detailed records of training activities, participant completion, and certification status.
• Monitor compliance with training requirements and follow up with individuals who have not completed necessary training.
• Prepare reports on training outcomes and compliance for internal review and external audits.
• Support and Consultation:
• Serve as a subject matter expert on lab animal care and use.
• Collaborate with Notre Dame’s veterinarian(s) and the IACUC team to identify training needs and improve animal welfare.
• Assist in the development and review of standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to animal care and use.
• Continuous Improvement:
• Evaluate the effectiveness of training programs and make necessary adjustments to enhance learning outcomes and compliance.
• Stay informed regarding advancements in animal care, use technologies, and educational methodologies, and incorporate this knowledge into training programs.
• Participate in professional development opportunities to maintain expertise in lab animal science, training techniques, and facility requirements.
  
  

Ready to make a difference at the intersection of animal care and scientific discovery? Apply now to join the Freimann Life Science Center team and take your career to the next level.

Notre Dame Research is committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity and ensures that members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. We strive to achieve a culture of openness, autonomy, and belonging; making Notre Dame an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, veterinary technology, biology, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience working with laboratory animals in a research setting, including experience in training or education.
  
  

Skills

• Strong knowledge of regulations governing the use of animals in research.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to explain complex concepts and describe and demonstrate laboratory animal research procedures and techniques to diverse audiences.
• Proficiency in performing and training all biomethods commonly used in research models.
• Proficiency in developing training materials, both digital and print.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a broad spectrum of individuals in the research community.
• This position may include long hours of standing and requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education and Experience:

• A master’s degree and or certification in Laboratory Animal Science (e.g., AALAS certification) is preferred.
• Experience with a variety of species and facilities is highly desirable. Previous experience in the research environment at an academic setting is also preferred.
  
  

Special Instructions to Applicants

Department Freimann Animal Care Facility (35035)

Department Website https://freimann.nd.edu/

Family / Sub-Family Research/ Research - Natural/Physical

Career Stream/Level EIC 2 Professional

FLSA Status S1 - FT Exempt