The University of Southern California, Department of Animal Resources, is seeking an emotionally intelligent, responsible, self-motivated, organized, and knowledgeable individual for a position of Animal Research Integrity Specialist. The Department of Animal Resources takes pride in providing optimal animal care for all animals housed at the university for the purposes of biomedical research and teaching. This position serves as a liaison for the university’s Department of Animal Resources to the university’s research laboratories, to ensure that animals are provided proper care according to state and federal regulations. The Animal Research Integrity Specialist also determines training needs, helps design and implement training and assists with the modification of research projects, if needed. This position is responsible for monitoring animal research projects to ensure they comply with all regulations as well as Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) policies, helping researchers with postoperative care, animal handling, evaluation and care, as well as diagnostics. The Animal Research Integrity Specialist also deals with cases of non-compliance, making recommendations and helping to find solutions and remedies that meet university, state, and federal requirements.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

• Serves as a liaison for the Department of Animal Resources to university research laboratories. Collaborates with research labs to develop methods for efficient evaluation of humane endpoints, such as scoring systems

• Ensures that animals are provided care in accordance with state and federal regulations, to support humane laboratory animal usage while also providing and promoting care of laboratory animals, by promoting physical and psychological wellbeing and minimizing discomfort. Collaborates with the principal investigator and/or staff to support, modify, and conduct animal research projects, as needed

• Trains and assists all assigned research staff in technical research projects and procedures utilizing animals. Develops and modifies the training programs with the clinical veterinarian. Provides special training to correct deficiencies and/or avoid non-compliances

• Maintains thorough knowledge of and ensures compliance with best practice protocols, federal regulations, and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) policies for all projects using animals. Assists veterinary staff in reporting the findings of monitored protocols to the IACUC. Documents summary of all findings and maintains training record

• Provides consultation for IACUC and serves as an Ad-Hoc reviewer of animal use protocols

• In collaboration with the researcher, coaches on postoperative care and monitoring and other post approval monitoring (PAM) activities. Observes animal(s) daily after surgery to determine health status on the basis of general attitude and appearance, food consumption, abnormal discharges, etc. Observes animal(s) daily after surgery for the apparent presence of pain and/or discomfort. Makes determinations in consultation with the clinical veterinarian as to the administration of analgesia to animals such as prolonging analgesia or treatment of abnormal behavior or clinical signs, etc.

• Collects and processes diagnostic samples. Administers drugs and other treatments. Assists veterinarians and principal investigators with handling animals during procedures. Prepares and sterilizes instruments and facilities for surgical use. Assists with evaluating and providing enrichment. Performs technical procedures in animal surgery, i.e. anesthetic, post-operative care. Maintains accurate computerized records of procedures performed on animals.

• Evaluates individual cases for failure of regulatory compliance. Analyzes procedures, possible complications within the procedures and remedies to the complications with veterinary issues. Determines corrective measures and discusses solutions with relevant parties. Makes recommendations to upper management and IACUC, ensuring remedies are in compliance with University, state and federal requirements for animal usage.

Performs other related duties as assigned or requested. The university reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

 

USC is an equal-opportunity educator and employer, proudly pluralistic and firmly committed to providing equal opportunity for outstanding persons of every race, gender, creed and background. The university particularly encourages members of underrepresented groups, veterans and individuals with disabilities to apply. USC will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities unless doing so would result in an undue hardship. Further information is available by contacting uschr@usc.edu.