The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) seeks a versatile, energetic, and motivated laboratory animal veterinarian to join our Animal Resources Program team within the UAB Office of Research.

The Animal Resources Program (ARP) supports one of the nation’s leading academic health sciences centers that includes the UAB Heersink School of Medicine along with the Schools of Dentistry, Optometry, Health Professions, Nursing, and the Colleges of Arts and Sciences. Our AAALAC-accredited institution consists of multi-species animal housing and support facilities totaling ~250,000 square feet. UAB’s research funding is at record high levels, reaching $780 million, with 82% growth over the last 10 years. UAB is in the top 1% of NIH-funded institutions and the top 5% of all US (United States) universities for federal research and development spending.

The Clinical Veterinarian will provide clinical and surgical medical care of animals used in research and training. The successful candidate will support health surveillance and preventative medicine programs and participate in teaching and training of departmental personnel and research staff. They will also be expected to review animal use requests for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee in alignment with Animal Welfare regulations. They will supervise veterinary staff members and provide emergency and after-hours veterinary care. The incumbent will participate in all activities as part of a dynamic laboratory animal care and use program including research, grant writing, equipment and process evaluation, tours, and the development of standard operating procedures.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Veterinary Care - Provide clinical and surgical medical care to research animals. Obtain and evaluate history of veterinary medical and surgical cases. Perform physical assessments and develop diagnostic sampling and therapeutic management proposal of cases. Establish management protocol and initiate treatment. Provide on-call weekend and emergency care.

Supervisory - Supervise animal health technician(s), monitor schedule, and assure coverage of responsibilities. Recommend hiring, terminating, and promoting employees and conduct performance evaluation.

Health Surveillance - Perform or assist in health assessment and review pertinent test results on proposed animal shipments to and from the UAB campus. Discuss colony/herd health or individual health of animals with veterinary and husbandry staff, research personnel or representatives from the facility supplying animals and approve receipt of qualified animals. Supervise or assist in the quarantine of animals of unknown health status and authorize release from quarantine when appropriate assurances have been confirmed. Provide health assessment for animals prior to shipment. Communicate information to facilitate shipment and oversee shipment and transportation arrangements.

Regulatory - Maintain appropriate records and assist in report preparation. Review animal health records for completion as required by regulations. Assist in the preparation of required regulatory reports. Serve as primary or alternate member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Review animal use requests and consult with faculty and research staff on topics related to animal research. Assure compliance of all animal use requests with accepted veterinary practices and regulatory requirements of the USDA and other applicable regulatory agencies and institutional policies.

Program Support - Prepare and present lectures, seminars, and workshops on a variety of animal care and use topics for UAB staff, students, and community organizations. Manage ARP and IACUC veterinary medical and surgical programs to assure the health, well-being, and humane care of research animals. Participates in the development and writing of grants, program description and scientific publications. Interacts with regulatory agents and other guests as required.

Perform other duties as assigned.

About UAB and Birmingham

In February 2021, UAB was named the best large employer by Forbes, and later that year was named America’s 4th best employer for diversity by Forbes. The Birmingham metropolitan area has over 1.1 million people and is the business center for the area bounded by Atlanta, Nashville, Houston, and Tampa. It’s become a worldwide center for health care and boasts a large regional presence in finance, education, research, engineering, transportation, and distribution. Birmingham is a national leader in urban green spaces. Thousands of wooded acres for biking and hiking are within minutes of downtown in area parks. Birmingham also boasts two courses on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Fodor’s Travel (2022) named Birmingham one of ten “unexpected US cities with a surprisingly good food scene.” Additionally, its symphony, ballet, orchestra, zoo, and sports teams supply year round entertainment for everyone.

Qualifications

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA accredited institution or equivalent with two (2) years of clinical experience (Clinical Veterinarian) required.  Work experience may NOT substitute for the education requirement. Candidates completing a training program for Laboratory Animal Medicine or similar veterinary specialty (e.g. American College of Veterinary Pathologists, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, American College of Veterinary Surgeons, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, or similar)  are encouraged to apply.

Current state veterinary license required; State of Alabama Veterinary License must be obtained within two (2) years of start date.