Associate Director, Research Animal Welfare

About the role

The Associate Director, Research Animal Welfare serves as the Attending Veterinarian for assigned Texas A&M University System members, providing operational leadership, veterinary consultation, compliance support, and programmatic oversight for institutional animal care and use programs.

Key responsibilities

• Provide veterinary oversight, clinical consultation, diagnostics, treatments, preventive medicine, and emergency response for animal care programs.
• Serve as veterinary member of IACUCs, reviewing protocols, participating in meetings, inspections, and investigations.
• Support compliance with USDA, NIH, AAALAC, DoD/ACURO requirements and assist institutions in inspections, accreditation, and corrective action plans.
• Assist researchers with animal use procedures, develop educational programs, and guide best practices for animal welfare.
• Collaborate with the Director to implement system‑wide standards, conduct site visits, and support strategic initiatives.

Required profile

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) from an AVMA‑accredited college.
• At least five years of progressive experience in laboratory animal medicine, research animal program oversight, IACUC administration, or related compliance roles.
• Ability to obtain a Texas veterinary license and willingness to travel up to 50% of the time.

Required skills

• Knowledge of federal regulations, USDA, NIH, AAALAC, and related accreditation standards.
• Strong clinical and surgical veterinary skills.
• Experience with IACUC operations and research compliance processes.

What we offer

• Competitive health benefits, paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Defined benefit retirement plan through the Teachers Retirement System of Texas and optional defined contribution plan.
• Tuition assistance and wellness programs to promote work/life balance.