Job Purpose

GSK’s success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

Provide leadership for laboratory animal medicine and veterinary oversight towards the implementation of an industry leading program of animal care and use. Pioneer and lead the team to uphold the highest standards of care and ethics for the health and well-being of GSK Cambridge Park Drive (CPD) research animal colony in support of GSK’s mission to impact 5 billion people by 2030.

This role will direct and oversee a team of skilled veterinary technical and animal husbandry specialist for the provision of veterinary care. Job duties include: animal model development; treatment of diseases and injuries; availability to respond to emergencies, including occasional weekend, and holiday care;; provide preventive medicine; provide comprehensive animal care and use training to technical staff and scientists, oversee drug storage and control.

The position will help to establish, develop and oversee a Biosafety Level 2 and 3 biocontainment vivarium.

Key responsibilities:

This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Providing veterinary medical care and research support to a variety of animal species in accordance with current veterinary medical practices, federal regulations-USDA, PHS Policy, and AAALAC standards; providing guidance to research personnel on animal model development, the selection of appropriate anesthetics and analgesics, surgical techniques and procedures, pre- and post-operative care, and methods of euthanasia.

• Serve as a voting member as the CPD Veterinary representative on the US Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Review all submitted animal use protocols and amendments as it relates to animal utilization in the Cambridge area. Support research community in the development of animal use protocols including model selection (including challenge models), techniques, anaesthesia and analgesia, surgical procedures, etc. Participate in all committee functions such as facility and laboratory inspections twice yearly, program reviews, etc. provide new member training in conjunction with the current Chair. Maintain compliance through continuing improvements through Post Approval Monitoring of research protocols.

• Maintain and oversee a comprehensive animal biosecurity/health surveillance program including but not limited to processes and procedures for quarantine, health surveillance, environmental monitoring, internal animal movement.

• Responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining animal care standards and policies to ensure the safe use of animals at GSK CPD vivarium.

• Provides, implements, and performs periodic and/or annual updates to safety, security, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Deliver training for research personnel on the humane care and use of laboratory animals, veterinary medical procedures and techniques, the appropriate use of veterinary equipment, occupational health and safety procedures, and other topics relevant to working with laboratory animals in a ABSL 3 environment. Deliver appropriate training oversight to ensure skill competency and the professional development of all staff using animals at the GSK US CPD vivarium.

• Effective communication and collaboration that foster and maintain productive working relationships with GSK leaders, investigators and research personnel, the IACUC, EHS personnel, and entities involved with the animal care and use program.

• Actively contribute to the development of the staff, encouraging innovation and driving results.

• Lead, create, and direct budget and resource planning and overall fiscal budget management for the provision of veterinary care, preventative medicine, and overall operations of the facilities. 

• Provides vivarium biosafety expertise in support of commissioning, performance, maintenance, and annual verification.

• Coordinates and documents validation of maintenance and regulatory compliance requirements on equipment, the facility and select agents.

• Liaisons with regulatory agencies in regard to testing, commissioning, performance verification, audits, inspections, i.e. CDC, OSHA, NIH, USDA, Cambridge Commissioner and EPA.

• Coordinates and participates in emergency response and business continuity plans.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

We are looking for professionals with these required skills to achieve our goals:

• DVM, VMD, or equivalent degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary school, or certification of veterinary training through programs such as ECFVG and PAVE.

• Current veterinary licensure in one US state and eligible for licensure in MA.

• A Minimum of 6 years of experience in laboratory animal medicine and providing veterinary care oversight to animals in a research setting.

• Must have the knowledge and ability to ensure compliance with USDA standards and the Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care & Use of Laboratory Animals/AAALAC guidelines, NIH Public Health Service Policy, DEA Regulations, and all state, county and city rules and regulations (e.g., Cambridge Commissioner).  Candidate must have a demonstrated understanding of research methodology, principles, and procedures. 

• At least 3 years of experience working on or with institutional compliance programs and committees (e.g. Institutional Biosafety Committee, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Institutional Review Board)

• Must pass a US Department of Justice Security Risk Assessment for access to select biological agents and toxins.

Preferred Qualifications:

If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus:

• American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board certification or equivalent.

• Experience in ABSL-3 Vivarium operational management.

• Ability to work effectively within a team oriented complex global multidisciplinary environment. 

• Experience overseeing complex research support programs to include provision of surgical model support, bioimaging support and proficiency in biosafety principles.

• Communications and business acumen

• Demonstrated success in working with researchers and leading/managing teams and programs

#LI-GSK*

Please visit GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. We prevent and treat disease with vaccines, specialty and general medicines. We focus on the science of the immune system and the use of new platform and data technologies, investing in four core therapeutic areas (infectious diseases, HIV, respiratory/ immunology and oncology).

Our success absolutely depends on our people. While getting ahead of disease together is about our ambition for patients and shareholders, it’s also about making GSK a place where people can thrive. We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued, and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together.

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