Associate Dean for Veterinary Affairs, Executive Director of DLAR, & University Attending Vet.

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

DIVISION OF LABORATORY ANIMAL RESOURCES 

The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) is the administrative unit responsible for animal care and welfare across Duke University. The mission of the DLAR is to promote the health and well-being of animals used for research, teaching, and testing by providing the highest quality of animal husbandry and housing and to support the University’s research mission and its investigators. The successful applicant will lead the DLAR and serve as the University Attending Veterinarian. DLAR is administered through the Duke University School of Medicine (SOM) but serves the entire University, including satellite facilities.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Associate Dean for Veterinary Affairs and Executive Director of DLAR is responsible for the development and conduct of a comprehensive, high-quality, ethical animal resources program in support of the research and teaching missions of Duke University. Such a program shall provide for proper husbandry and housing, veterinary medical care, and handling of animals, and protect the public trust in research through compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and animal welfare standards.

Duke University will rely on this position to provide leadership and serve as the point person for animal care partnerships between Duke and other institutions. This role also includes strategic planning and implementation to improve the animal research-related functions and facilities within Duke’s animal program. The individual works closely with University leadership to ensure compliance with policies and procedures related to animal research and engages across the institution to ensure alignment with organizational initiatives. The Executive Director of DLAR, is accountable for the budget management, finances, and operations of the DLAR, in alignment with internal and external guidance and policies.

KEY ORGANIZATIONAL COLLEGAGUES 

• Vice Dean for Basic Science and Institutional Official, Duke University
• Vice President for Research & Innovation
• Associate Dean for Basic Science
• Associate Dean, Space Management & Research Resources
• Chair, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• Key contacts across Duke who use animals in research, testing, and teaching
• School Deans, Department Chairs, and Directors, Duke University
• Executive Vice Dean for Administration
• Associate Dean and Chief Human Resources Officer
• Executive Director, Engineering & Operations
• Associate Vice President, Duke Health Facilities
• Director, Employee Health
• Assistant Vice President, Occupational & Environmental Safety
• Associate Vice President for Research & Innovation

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES 

Strategic

• In collaboration with all key constituencies, drive the development and implementation of major strategic initiatives related to animal research, including but not limited to scientific direction, facility and infrastructure needs, and program enhancements.
• Ensure the alignment of DLAR efforts with institutional strategic initiatives and plans.
• Support the changing needs of our investigators and advise them on the implementation of scientific plans as related to the animal program.
• Provide leadership and strategic direction for the operation and performance of all DLAR activities.

Program Administration

• Oversee operations of all animal resources of Duke University Medical Center and other entities at Duke, e.g., Duke Lemur Center, Duke Marine Lab, including animal acquisition, animal husbandry, veterinary medical care and services, housing and procedure space, and the financial and operational operations of the DLAR.
• Evaluate, manage, and oversee training of the facility, staff, equipment, and programs of the division to ensure adequate and efficient operation.
• Assist in planning, designing, and/or renovating existing or new animal care facilities.
• Responsible for the overall financial management of DLAR:

• Develop and implement the budget in partnership with the SOM Dean’s office;
• Coordinate with the SOM on the development, implementation, and maintenance of methodology for research cost recovery and other financial guidelines;
• Collaborate with stakeholder units to develop and implement animal program support with large and complex research programs. Ensure adherence to institutional and external policies in all such partnerships.

• Serve as the University Attending Veterinarian and as a member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee:

• Represent the animal program on committees and groups;
• Ensure adherence to all applicable regulations and standards regarding animal care and use;
• Collaborate with institutional partners to lead the continued certification of accrediting and regulatory bodies (e.g., AAALAC, USDA);
• Ensure maintenance of proper records and support timely submission of required regulatory and internal reports.

• Research support:

• 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;
• Liaise with partnering institutions and private sector entities to facilitate animal care details of funded research projects;
• Review grant applications for compliance with appropriate laws, regulations, and standards. Contribute to applications where appropriate;
• Foster collaboration both internally in DLAR and across the institution to advance research.

• Education and training:

• Coordinate, develop, and conduct the postdoctoral program in Laboratory Animal Medicine;
• Ensure education and training of animal research and care personnel in the proper procedures of animal care and use;
• Implement internal-to-DLAR and researcher-directed training programs.

Continuous Improvement

• Internal to DLAR:

• Monitor quantitative programmatic data and national and international standards and best practices and amend strategic and operational plans of the Animal Program as appropriate;
• Ensure the quality of research through the development and documentation of a quality monitoring system and/or program evaluations;
• Develop and implement operational staffing models in accordance with animal census and facility metrics;
• Ensure that an annual operational and financial plan, inclusive of objectives and resource allocations, is completed following the annual budget.

• Institutional:

• Cultivate an environment that recognizes and rewards excellence: promote a positive culture of institutional excellence, achievement, and pride for all students, faculty, and staff;
• Assume a leadership role in quality improvement activities in animal research programs across Duke University;
• Provide guidance and strategic direction in animal research to institutional, SOM, and unit-level leadership. Understand and incorporate the impact of such recommendations into the philosophy and direction of the animal program;
• Ensure that animal research programs are coordinated with SOM and institutional entities and research initiatives.

• External to Duke:

• Maintain an executive presence in national activities and groups focusing on best practices;
• Identify benchmark institutions as aspirational models and establish enterprise-wide measures of institutional effectiveness in teaching and research.

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Demonstrated Leadership

• Accomplished leader who models the highest ethical standards, and commitment to the ethical use of animals in research, and to advancing the best interests of Duke University.
• This person will have administrative and managerial expertise, and is able to manage complex and challenging issues with tact and diplomacy.
• The successful candidate will have a deep understanding of the conduct of research and complex academic environments, and will also be a collaborative scholar.
• She/he will be a results-driven leader with a demonstrated ability to propose and encourage new ideas, inspire action, and drive to implementation.
• Creative thinker and demonstrated problem solver.
• Functions as an active member of the SOM leadership team.

Academic

• DVM/VMD with laboratory experience and eligibility for licensure in the state of North Carolina
• ACLAM (or other pertinent discipline) Diplomate required
• Research experience and advanced academic degree preferred
• Academic rank commensurate with credentials and productivity

Experience

• Minimum of ten (10) years of demonstrated operational and fiscal leadership experience in laboratory animal research. Preference will be given to candidates with senior veterinary leadership experience in an academic or private sector 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

Effort

• It is anticipated this will be up to 1.0 FTE administrative appointment with a faculty appointment as eligible. Note that a faculty appointment would have an additional reporting line to the department chair.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Work requires completion of an accredited Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program or a certificate of equivalent training accepted by the AVMA. Licensure to practice veterinary medicine in a state or territory of the United States is also required.

Experience

Three years of experience in laboratory animal medicine or completion of a training program in Laboratory Animal Medicine with eligibility for certification in this field, may be substituted for the three year experience requirement noted above.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.