As a Research Veterinarian, you will lead the surgery and animal behavior programs within the Vivarium Shared Resource, driving innovative scientific research at Janelia. Your expertise in animal behavior and surgical practices will be pivotal in guiding and supporting our ground breaking projects. You’ll collaborate closely with researchers on project design, prioritize project support, and ensure comprehensive training in behavior and surgical procedures. Additionally, you’ll provide rotating on-call and back-up coverage for clinical veterinary care and serve as an alternate Veterinarian on the IACUC.

About the Department:

The Vivarium at Janelia, an AAALAC accredited facility, is renowned for supporting pioneering research with a focus on mice, rats, and zebrafish. Our operations are designed to accelerate scientific progress while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare. By working closely with our scientists, Vivarium staff take ownership of animal-related processes, allowing researchers to concentrate on data-intensive tasks and achieve impactful scientific outcomes.

What we provide:

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.

• An opportunity to broaden research experience in a collaborative environment.

• A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment of collaboration.

• Professional development opportunities through internal and external conferences and workshops.

What you’ll do:

Research Project Oversight

• Design and execute experiments, in collaboration with and in support of labs, project teams, and visiting scientists, related to behavior, physiology, and surgery.

• Manage and provide recommendations on project activities.

• Design and conduct vivarium-led studies impacting surgical methods and naturalistic animal behavior.

Collaboration

• Work closely with interdisciplinary teams and internal departments on project initiation, progress, and retrospective learning.

• Advise and consult with Vivarium and research personnel.

• Supervise supporting staff, ensuring they perform duties effectively and have necessary resources.

Clinical Care

• Provide backup veterinary support and oversight for a variety of species, including rodents and aquatic species, with primary oversight for the development, refinement, and care of animal models.

• Refine programs to enhance animal welfare practices, related to behavior studies, natural environments, and surgical procedures.   

Regulatory

• Serve as Alternate Veterinarian on the IACUC.

• Serve as member of the (Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC), as it relates to hazards used in surgery and behavior studies. 

What you bring:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, with a current license to practice in at least one state. Must obtain veterinary licensure and USDA accreditation in Virginia within the first year of employment.

• Expertise in rodent behavior studies and surgical procedures, with three to five years of experience in a laboratory animal facility supporting research with rodents and zebrafish.

• Board certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine, American College of Veterinary Behaviorists, or American College of Veterinary Surgeons preferred, with board certification required within the first year of employment.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills: Ability to thrive in a dynamic environment and effectively explain complex scientific ideas to diverse audiences.

• Exceptional organizational and project coordination ability: Proficiency in project management tools and the Microsoft Office suite, with excellent organizational, time management, and problem-solving skills to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Physical Requirements:

The following is the minimum physical requirements:

• Occasionally lifts and/or carries objects weighing up to 10 pounds

• Occasionally stoops and bends

• Occasionally reaches and grasps with arms and hands

• Work is performed in a normal office or research lab environment where there are relatively few physical discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like.

• Work involves possible exposure to malodorous vapors, animal allergens and other animal-borne hazards, experimental microbial agents and viral vectors, low dose radiation, contamination by toxic chemicals and acids, and presence of carcinogenic substances.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however.  Unless they begin with the word “may,” the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are “essential functions” of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.