Job Summary
The Clinical Veterinarian is responsible for ensuring the physical and psychological well-being of laboratory animals used in research while maintaining full compliance with applicable regulatory and ethical standards. This role provides veterinary oversight across research programs, leads and supports a team of veterinary technicians and animal care staff, and serves as a key scientific and welfare advisor to study directors. The position requires hands-on clinical expertise, strong leadership capability, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, regulated laboratory environment.
Key Responsibilities
Veterinary Care & Animal Welfare
- Provide comprehensive veterinary care to large and small laboratory animals, ensuring optimal physical and psychological health.
- Oversee preventative medicine programs, clinical treatments, and humane endpoints.
- Support animal model development, breeding strategies, and study-specific veterinary needs.
- Ensure ethical treatment and use of animals in accordance with institutional and regulatory standards.
Regulatory Compliance & Oversight
- Ensure compliance with all applicable animal welfare regulations and guidelines, including USDA, OLAW, FDA, and AAALAC standards.
- Support inspections, audits, and regulatory interactions as required.
- Maintain accurate documentation and ensure adherence to animal care and use protocols.
Leadership & Collaboration
- Lead, mentor, and supervise veterinary technicians and laboratory animal care staff.
- Collaborate closely with study directors, researchers, and cross-functional teams to align animal welfare with study objectives.
- Provide expert guidance on humane endpoints, protocol development, and best practices.
Education & Experience
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) required.
- Preferred: 2+ years of direct experience in laboratory animal medicine.
- Preferred: Prior experience supervising veterinary technicians or animal care staff.
Certifications & Licensure
- Board-certified or board-eligible by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) or equivalent international certification.
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of animal care and use regulations and regulatory agencies (USDA, OLAW, FDA, AAALAC).
- Experience working with a wide variety of common laboratory animal species.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence, negotiate, and manage conflicting priorities.
- Self-directed and adaptable, with the ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with limited supervision.
- Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to collaborate across disciplines and work effectively in hybrid or remote team environments using digital communication tools.
Travel Requirements
- Ability to travel domestically and/or internationally up to 10% based on project, client, and business needs.
- Flexibility to accommodate evening, overnight, weekend, or extended travel for training, meetings, fieldwork, or client engagements.
- On-Site Requirement
- This position requires full-time, on-site presence at the laboratory.
Immunizations & Health Screenings
- Role involves direct work with laboratory animals, including non-human primates, rabbits, rats, and mice.
- Access to laboratory animal spaces is required.
- Proof of measles immunity (titer) and annual tuberculosis (TB) screening required.