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.

The Senior Veterinarian/Laboratory Animal Science and Governance (LASG)/US has direct authority and responsibility for ensuring the health and well-being of laboratory animals used in research at GSK/US facilities in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. This leader will set the tone to uphold the highest standards of care and ethics for the health and well-being of the GSK/US research animal colonies in support of the Therapeutic Area research objectives. The incumbent will provide leadership for laboratory animal medicine and veterinary oversight towards the implementation of an industry leading program of animal care and use.

This position involves overseeing the veterinary care programs, providing clinical care, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and contributing to the development and refinement of animal models.  The Senior Veterinarian LASG, US will direct and oversee team of highly skilled veterinary specialist and technicians for the provision of veterinary care to include: animal model development; treatment of diseases and injuries; the availability of emergency, weekend, and holiday care; guidelines for animal procurement and transportation; preventive medicine; presurgical planning and postsurgical care, comprehensive animal care and use training, NHP colony management; drug storage and control.

Key responsibilities:

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

Strategic:

• Functions an active member/contributor to the global Laboratory Animal Science and Governance Leadership Team; contribute GSK enterprise facing policies and global standards.

• Consult with stakeholders and staff in the selection of animals for specific research based on knowledge of species and research requirements and technical procedures.

• Provide guidance and strategic direction in animal research to GSK US unit-level leadership. Understand and incorporate the impact of such recommendations into the philosophy and direction of the animal program.

• Maintain an executive presence in national activities and groups focusing on best practices in laboratory animal science and animal welfare; serve as GSK representative on US industry advocacy organizations and consortiums.

• Contribute to global best practices in Veterinary Medicine through establishment of internal global GSK Veterinary community of practice.

Management Oversight:

• Oversight of research support, veterinary and regulatory program activities for animal users at Pennsylvania and Massachusetts vivarium.

• Direct and approve departmental resources, personnel, financial and budget proposals, and allocations to deliver a program of care and use.

• In collaboration with US Head of Operations, provide veterinary expertise for US animal facility strategy, workforce and resource allocation in support GSK US research portfolio; contribute to the planning, designing, and/or renovating existing or new animal care facilities.

Veterinary Medicine and Training Program Administration:

• Oversee and direct the provision of routine and/or specific veterinary medical support for all animal species housed at GSK US facilities. Provide comprehensive veterinary care for research animals, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care.

• Aid in establishing, maintaining animal records systems in accordance with industry best practices for clinical care and colony health management.

• Oversee and direct the provision of daily environmental enrichment program for all animal species; direct and ensure an industry leading NHP behavioural program for care, housing and enrichment of the GSK NHP colony.

• Oversee and direct the provision of and provide training of staff regarding technical and surgical procedures, use of analgesics/anesthetics and post-operative care for the humane use of animals in their research programs.

• Assure the development, review, revision and implementation of SOPs, policies, guidance documents and training curriculum and relating to animal use, technical procedures, surgical programs; develop training programs that incorporate industry best practices, ensure staff competency, and provide professional and capability advancement.

• Oversee and direct the design and implementation of the animal welfare and preventive medicine program for all animal species.

• Support after hour emergency rotation for 24/7 colony health management

Regulatory Program Support:

• Provide leadership as a recognized expert in animal welfare program oversight ensuring animal user adherence to regulatory requirements; Participate in the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC, including reviewing protocols, Independent Scientific Reviews, managing animal colony issues, collaboration on US/LAS operations and  ); Serve as a voting member of the IACUC

• Participate in internal IACUC inspections, program and semimanual reviews; participate in external due diligence audits of third-party research partners

• Support required veterinary correspondence with USDA, AAALAC, and other regulatory agencies

• Act as attending veterinarian as required.

• Advise research investigators on study design and 3Rs implementation, technical protocol specifics relating to animal techniques and all aspects of animal model development

Research Support:

• Collaborate with scientists on the design and conduct of animal studies.

• Provide consultation on alternative methodologies and approaches towards the 3rs of animals use in research, focusing of the refinement of techniques to minimize pain and distress in animal procedures.

• Provide guidance on the selection and use of appropriate species and animal models.

• Provide specialized procedural consultations to research investigators.

• Provide expert advice and assistance to researchers in the ethical conduct of animal studies, including support of safety programs where radioactive materials, toxic chemicals, and/or biohazards are used in animals.

Why you?

Basic Qualifications:

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

• Veterinary medical degree from an AVMA accredited veterinary college or ECFVG (Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates) certification

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in laboratory animal medicine, preferably in a pharmaceutical or biotech setting

• Veterinary licensure in at least one of the United States

• Board certification in Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM Diplomate)

• Minimum of 5 years of experience with a wide variety of laboratory animal species to include Non-human Primates

Preferred Qualifications:

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

• Familiarity with current USDA and PHS regulations, and the AAALAC International accreditation processes; broad knowledge of regulations and standards for use of animals in research, ability in fulfilling operational and veterinary needs in pharmaceutical research environment.

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

• Strong leadership acumen and excellent communication skills.

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

• Demonstrated operational and fiscal leadership experience in laboratory animal research. Preference will be given to candidates with senior veterinary leadership experience in a pharmaceutical research environment.

• Communications and business acumen

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

• A deep understanding of regulatory and compliance bodies, rules, and regulations, and experience with Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees

#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.

If you require an accommodation or other assistance to apply for a job at GSK, please contact the GSK Service Centre at 1-877-694-7547 (US Toll Free) or +1 801 567 5155 (outside US).

GSK is an Equal Opportunity Employer and, in the US, we adhere to Affirmative Action principles. This ensures that all qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, disability, genetic information, military service, covered/protected veteran status or any other federal, state or local protected class.

Important notice to Employment businesses/ Agencies

GSK does not accept referrals from employment businesses and/or employment agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site. All employment businesses/agencies are required to contact GSK's commercial and general procurement/human resources department to obtain prior written authorization before referring any candidates to GSK. The obtaining of prior written authorization is a condition precedent to any agreement (verbal or written) between the employment business/ agency and GSK. In the absence of such written authorization being obtained any actions undertaken by the employment business/agency shall be deemed to have been performed without the consent or contractual agreement of GSK. GSK shall therefore not be liable for any fees arising from such actions or any fees arising from any referrals by employment businesses/agencies in respect of the vacancies posted on this site.

Please note that if you are a US Licensed Healthcare Professional or Healthcare Professional as defined by the laws of the state issuing your license, GSK may be required to capture and report expenses GSK incurs, on your behalf, in the event you are afforded an interview for employment. This capture of applicable transfers of value is necessary to ensure GSK’s compliance to all federal and state US Transparency requirements. For more information, please visit GSK’s Transparency Reporting For the Record site.