Van Andel Institute (VAI), A leading independent biomedical research and science education institution seeking to hire a full-time Vivarium Manager to help lead our rodent barrier facilities. This manager will be an essential partner to the vivarium leadership, ensuring continued and evolving excellence when it comes to animal support for our research studies. 

VAI is dedicated to determining the epigenetic, genetic, molecular, and cellular origins of cancer, Parkinson’s, and other diseases and translating those findings into effective therapies. The Institute is home to more than 400 scientists and support staff that work in on-site laboratories and in collaborative partnerships that span the globe.

As a Vivarium Manager, you will be responsible for supporting rodent and zebrafish research by assisting in the management of VAI’s animal facility.  Your primary responsibilities will be the day-to-day animal welfare, environmental quality, supply logistics, work scheduling, training, and performance management of the animal caretaking team.  You will be part of an exceptional team of experienced professional and technically skilled animal care staff as well as a key member of the leadership team that works directly with the research labs on special projects and research support.  This leadership team strengthens VAI’s ability to remain in compliance with all federal and state regulations and guidelines while also maintaining the high standards of AAALAC accreditation.  

Your primary responsibilities in this role will be:? 

• Scheduling and managing labor distribution accordingly.  This includes matching skilled staff to the needs of the various labs for technical/research support. 
• Overseeing husbandry, sanitization practices, and technical/research support according to internal SOPs and external regulations.
• The vivarium staff manages 95% of all breeding colonies.  
• In addition, overseeing a team of ~5 technically trained staff that support researchers in their technical research needs.  
• Assuring research activities follow current policies, regulations, and guidelines governing the care and use of animals, which includes writing and maintaining internal vivarium SOPs. 
• Maintaining inventory, equipment, facility set-up, and records relating to operations, including purchasing animals and general supplies, ensuring proper functioning of facility equipment, and coordinating equipment repair and maintenance. 
• Hiring, managing, and training the vivarium staff, focusing on husbandry and technical research support.

You might be the right person for this role if you have:

• Critical skillsets to motivate and lead others toward the accomplishment of individual and shared objectives
• Demonstrated ability to train staff in all areas of animal care and laboratory techniques
• Experience with managing or supporting an aquatics facility 
• A strong commitment to building and maintaining a positive work environment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Attention to detail
• A bachelor's degree in biological or animal science or a related field
• AALAS certification at a LATg level
• 5+ years of related experience working with laboratory animals
• At least 3 years of supervisory experience 

About Van Andel Institute

Pursuing Bold Ideas and Big Breakthroughs. Van Andel Institute began with a vision: to improve human health. Founded by the Van Andel family in 1996, the Institute is now home to more than 400 scientists, educators and support staff – each one of us deeply connected to the work we do and driven by an urgent desire to make a difference. Every day, we collaborate at the forefront of fundamental and translational science in pursuit of breakthrough treatment strategies for cancer, Parkinson’s and other diseases. Through shared values and an entrepreneurial spirit, we spark innovation to multiply the impact of discovery and answer critical questions for our world. We believe that hope for tomorrow lives in the students of today. Our Graduate School offers a rigorous, research-intensive Ph.D. program that develops leaders in molecular and cellular biology. Our inquiry-based approaches for K–12 education help create classrooms where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking thrive. A hub for ideas and advancements, the Institute is fueled by a community of bright minds who share a relentless curiosity and a deep commitment to make the world a better place. At Van Andel I...nstitute, we do more than dream about improving human health. We strive to make it a reality every day.

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