Director, Animal Core, SOM, Stravitz-Sanyal Institute for Liver Disease

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Position Summary :

The Director of the Animal Core will be critical to support the scientific mission of the Liver Institute. The Institute has recently onboarded a Chief Scientific Officer and our scientific strategic plan requires the hiring of this position to support core projects designated as main-line projects for SSLI related to studies involving animals.

Assistant Directors support strategic goals and the university mission by providing daily administration of a research program or administrative function.

They are operational managers responsible for the supervision and development of staff or the development and implementation of services.

Core-related activities and service as Director :

• Maintain DIAMOND mice for intramural and extramural projects
• Maintain multiple diet-induced and genetic models of MASLD, Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Heart failure, Chronic Kidney Disease as needed by SSLI investigators
• Maintain IACUC and compliance for all SSLI animal projects
• Work with individual SSLI investigators to design their animal studies
• Develop a budget for each project using animal experiments including animal facilities charges
• Oversee activities of all staff from SSLI who use animal core facilities
• Oversee and / or perform Mouse metabophenotyping and metabolic studies (including but not limited to ITT. GTT, insulin clamps, tail vein injections etc.)
• Work with IACUC and veterinary sciences at VCU to ensure compliance for animal experiments and oversee record keeping for all projects involving animal experiments
• To work collaboratively with the Director of the Biorepository and SSLI IT team for seamless integration animal and tissue core and biorepository activities
• Ensure timeliness of start up and implementation of animal studies done as part of SSLI approved research projects
• To oversee training of staff and trainees in use of animals in research
• Develop and maintain a charge master for use of animal resources for different tiers of SSLI members and for grant development
• Oversee and support animal core use needs for approved SSLI research projects.
• To oversee maintenance of equipment related to animal studies including metabolic cages and normothermic metabolic chamber studies
• To meet with SSLI members who need animal models to facilitate protocol development for IACUC and set up study implementation and procurement and care of animals.
• To maintain record of utilization of equipment and services for the animal core and link these to grant applications and grant funding obtained using these core facilities.

Core Responsibilities :

35% -Design and Analysis of specific projects involving animals and participate in the design team

30% -To design metabo-phenotyping experiments for preclinical proof of mechanism projects that are part of SSLI preclinical to clinical translational pipeline

15% - Work with tissue core, biorepository and IT teams to ensure data integrity and storage of data in a secure manner

10% -Participate in meetings with external sponsors related to access to director’s projects

10% -To generate reports for NIH and other external entities and leadership on status of specific projects as needed.

Minimum Hiring Standards :

• Master’s of Science in basic science discipline
• Significant experience, 10+ years, in laboratory and rodent colony management
• Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Strong problem solving and time management skills are essential, including ability to prioritize and manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Continuously assess operations of unit assigned; identify needs and direct process improvement initiatives or communication strategies aimed to increase departmental efficiency and effectiveness
• Must have excellent customer service skills, written and verbal communications skills, be proactive in asking questions and seeking guidance when needed
• Must be precise, thorough, and reliable and perform daily activities with minimal supervision
• Must be proficient in the use of computers with an ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease
• Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe required
• Ability to work as part of a dynamic team in a diverse environment required

Additional Information :

ORP Eligible : - YES

Hours / weeks - 40 hours weekly

Title Details : Director, Animal Core

University Title : Assistant Director RS 1-3

University Code : (32331Y-32333Y)

University Job Family : Research & Innovation

The position will remain open until a candidate is selected.

The School of Medicine continuously strives for our workplace and learning environment to reflect the demographic and social milieu of the communities we serve.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply.

Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability.