Manager Research Facilities

Serves as administrative manager of the University's animal research facilities and coordinates operations within the research division. Coordinates animal care, standards, and training for animal care workers and ensures the humane, responsible, and scientifically or instructionally sound use of animals at the University.

• Coordinates routine care to animals housed in specialized containers in accordance with facility operating procedure or specific approved research protocols.
• Maintains facility cleanliness. Provides fresh bedding materials to animal cages, pens, and pans. Receives, processes and stores animals, feed, bedding, and supplies. Coordinates equipment and facility updates and repairs and facility issues with the appropriate internal and external parties.
• Assists clinical veterinarians and research investigators in animal health care. Euthanizes animals in accordance with established procedures. Disposes of deceased animal remains in accordance with established procedures.
• Operates the facility in accordance with federal, state and industry rules, regulations, and standards. Maintains facility operation and animal care and uses program policies and standard operating procedures.
• Conducts internal routine and investigative inspections of animal care and use and support regulating agency inspectors and assessors. Maintains accurate and up-to-date records on animal usage and health.
• Maintains communication with University leadership, students and faculty, veterinarians, and the institutional animal care and use committee concerning animal use for teaching, testing and research.
• Conducts routine administrative duties.
• Manages existing inventory to ensure programmatic requirements and needs are met.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of laboratory animal science, regulations and standards affecting the care and use of animals in research, testing, and teaching. Reviews submissions to the institutional animal care and use committee. Conducts post-approved monitoring of research protocols.
• Hires, trains, and evaluates and supervises staff and student employees.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Three years' relevant experience.
• Supervisory or lead experience.
• Experience working with animals in a research setting.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse range of constituents.
• Experience teaching.
• Considerable experience in the care, feeding, and handling of various laboratory animal species.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing animal research. Experience working in an animal research facility operating under National Institute of Health,(NIH) American Association for Laboratory Animal Science(AALAS),Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare( OLAW) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards and guidelines.

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours and be on-call, including weekends and holidays.
• Valid Michigan Driver’s license.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2024-04-15