Career Center

Join our dynamic team as the Assistant Director, Animal Research Support Branch (ARSB), Bethesda, in the Office of Research Services (ORS), Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR). The National Institutes of Health (NIH), the world’s largest medical research facility, has an exciting position available that requires expertise in laboratory animal medicine. The ARSB operates in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. In addition it: (1) provides medical care to research animals and technical support to Investigators utilizing animals; (2) consults and collaborates with the Intramural research program and their veterinary staff on the veterinary aspects of protocol and study design; (3) plans, manages and coordinates DVR facility operations and resources; (4) provides oversight of animal imports into NIH facilities while maintaining biosecurity of existing colonies; (5) provides a pharmacist and pharmacy and a nutritionist for the intramural research program, and (6) manages and maintains a centralized surgical, intensive care and radiology service to support the NIH Intramural research program.The successful candidate will be responsible for serving as Assistant Director and overseeing the ARSB staff in DVR-managed facilities on the Bethesda campus. Candidate is responsible for planning, managing, and coordinating veterinary and facility resources and clinical/technical programs to ensure high quality veterinary care, research support, regulatory compliance, and AAALAC accreditation. The Assistant Director must possess business acumen and leadership skills to have oversight of and to guide a large team of veterinarians and animal facility managers to effectively support the NIH intramural research mission. The ARSB Assistant Director works with and reports to the DVR Director to ensure the success of the mission of DVR: “…to contribute to the advancement of NIH biomedical research mission by providing excellence in animal care and specialized research services to support the NIH intramural research mission. DVR is a centrally managed AAALAC International accredited program that is responsive, efficient, and accountable to the NIH researchers’ needs.”

Qualifications for the ARSB Assistant Director include a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent degree, i.e., Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD), obtained at a school or college of veterinary medicine accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Council on Education. 
Graduates of veterinary schools not AVMA accredited must have Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates certification. Candidates must be Diplomates of the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and be licensed to practice veterinary medicine in at least one state. Candidates must also have experience as a supervisor/leader of at least one component of a laboratory animal medicine program. Experience in overseeing animal facilities and/or possession of a certification such as CMAR and/or graduate degree in Business Administration is favored. Leadership experience and strong ability to work in a team is also preferred. Applications from women, persons from underrepresented groups, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged. At the NIH, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees in the biomedical research community. Within NIH, the Division of Veterinary Resources (DVR) embraces diversity and strives to create and maintain an inclusive environment for all DVR employees. Candidates may be US citizens or resident aliens and the position is subject to a background check conducted by the NIH.