Assistant Provost, Director, Assistant/Associate Professor - Biomedical Resource Center

Assistant Provost and Director,

Biomedical Resource Center, Office of Research

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) has launched a national search for a dynamic and collaborative leader in laboratory veterinary medicine to serve as the Assistant Provost of Research and Director of the Biomedical Resource Center (BRC). The ideal candidate for this unique role will have demonstrated excellence in continuous improvement and an unwavering focus on collaboration. The incoming leader is set-up for success with outstanding administrative support, engaged researchers, highly efficient processes and technology, state-of-the art expanding facilities, and an exceptional track record of safety. The BRC is the institution’s centralized research animal resource.

Occupying approximately 100,000 ft2, the BRC currently houses an animal census of about 13,000 cages of mice and rats, and lesser numbers of a wide variety of other species, including a 2400 ft2 zebrafish facility. The animal census is expected to increase substantially in the coming years, due to anticipated institutional growth. The BRC is staffed by 35 animal health technicians, 4 supervisors, 2 staff veterinarians, a small training section, and an administrative team. More than 170 principal investigators at MCW, Versiti Blood Research Institute, and the Zablocki VA Medical Center depend on the services and facilities of the BRC for animal husbandry and study support. The MCW animal care and use program has been continuously accredited by the AAALAC International since 1968, and maintains both an Animal Welfare Assurance with the Office of Laboratory Welfare (OLAW) and a research registration with the USDA/APHIS/AC.

The Assistant Provost and Director plans and leads all operational aspects BRC and its satellite units, including the continuing development and implementation of programs to ensure the health and well-being of all animals in the BRC, effective support of animal-based research projects, and adherence to rigorous training and compliance standards. This key leader also is responsible for strategic and financial planning in consultation with the BRC Advisory Committee and for providing necessary input regarding the animal research program to senior leadership. The Assistant Provost and Director regularly collaborates with faculty and staff to provide an optimal, efficient, and high-quality animal research experience. Additionally, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and administrative team assist investigators in fulfilling their obligation to plan and conduct animal experiments in accordance with the highest scientific, humane, and ethical principles, and collaborate closely with the Assistant Provost and Director.

Key Functions And Responsibilities

The Assistant Provost and Director is responsible for leadership and strategic planning of the Center as well as collaborating for new initiatives in the Office of Research. The essential accountabilities include:

• Plan, supervise, and direct the operation of the BRC, including personnel management, budget, training, and space/resource allocation, with a special focus on technology utilization and lean process improvement.
• Supervise and provide veterinary care of animals in the BRC.
• Serve as the Attending Veterinarian and the institutional contact with AAALAC International, and serve as the Attending Veterinarian and Veterinary Medical Consultant for the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center.
• Engage in individual and collaborative research efforts with other investigators.
• Foster a welcoming and opportunity-driven environment for animal care technicians and professional staff; address staffing concerns in collaboration with the Center Administrator and Office of Research administrators.
• In collaboration with institutional committees, establish and maintain policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable federal and accreditation agencies, and with institutional and investigator needs.
• Participate with appropriate committees relevant to the advancement of the program and the profession or area of research, including the IACUC, BRC Advisory Committee, and relevant safety committees.
• Participate in post approval IACUC compliance and protocol monitoring.
• Interpret animal care and use regulations in a practical manner that aligns with MCW research culture.
• Provide periodic supervision and inspection of non-vivarium space where animals are housed.
• Present recommendations to senior leaders regarding the structure/function of the program, rates, etc.
• Address incidents of potential regulatory or other non-compliance in collaboration with the IACUC, and in conjunction with MCW policy.

Candidate Qualifications

The successful candidate will obtain a faculty appointment in the department correlating with their background and expertise. Qualifications for the role include:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), with licensure to practice Veterinary Medicine in at least one state, with the ability to obtain an unrestricted license to practice in the State of Wisconsin.
• Certification by the American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine.
• 5 years of experience required as a veterinarian in a laboratory animal facility, including managerial experience.
• 5 years of progressive responsibility preferred, including leadership at a director level.
• Demonstrated leadership skills including decision-making, prioritization, and strategic planning skills, financial management and budgeting skills, and ability to delegate, hire and manage teams.
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communication skills; excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience presenting to and teaching various audiences, including graduate students, faculty, and staff.
• Keen understanding of leveraging technology to improve efficiencies of processes.
• Comfortable operating in a complex matrix environment with multiple, competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and partnerships at all levels of a complex organization.
• Passion for working in a diverse environment, with the ability to listen critically and solicit ideas from a variety of analytical participants at all levels of the organization.

Biomedical Resource Center Overview

Biomedical research at MCW spans the translational spectrum and is focused on improving the ability to diagnose, treat and prevent the most challenging diseases of our times. In FFY 2023, MCW’s research expenditures were nearly $400M, with $131.7M coming from the National Institutes of Health. MCW relies on institutional cores and service centers to support this level of research, including a comprehensive animal resource center (BRC) that serves the needs of 176 Principal Investigators at MCW, Versiti, and the nearby Zablocki Veteran’s Administration Research Facility. The BRC is the cornerstone of MCW’s animal care and use program, which has been accredited since 1968 by AAALAC International, which has specifically cited the exemplary nature of the BRC in each of the past five triennial site visits.

The BRC is a high-quality, specialty resource that facilitates and supports the animal-based research and teaching programs of MCW by providing state-of-the art animal management and veterinary professional services. The full animal program ensures compliance with all applicable regulatory and professional standards for the humane care and treatment of animal subjects and promotes the health and well-being of the animal subjects under its care. The BRC animal facility occupies approximately 100,000 net square feet (NSF) across three interconnected research buildings. The facilities include 123 rooms designed/constructed for animal holding and 25 shared procedure rooms. In addition, several core facilities are located within the vivarium, including: the Neuroscience Research Center (NRC) Rodent Behavior Core, the Mouse Transgenic Core, the Rat Research Models Service Center, the Comprehensive Rodent Metabolic Phenotyping Core, the Gnotobiotic Core Facility, the Biophotonic Imaging Core, and two animal irradiation cores.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming workplace that includes individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. We strive to integrate our human and social differences into MCW’s functioning, strategies and culture to create a diverse and equitable workplace. If you believe embracing individuality and working together makes us stronger, then MCW is the place for you. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.The MCW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status.

Procedure for Candidacy

To learn more or to apply, please contact Kelli Cameron, SHRM-SCP, Associate Vice President, Medical College of Wisconsin, kacameron@mcw.edu. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and should include a current CV and a letter of interest describing your experience and qualifications. To receive full consideration, please submit your application materials by June 20, 2024.