Director, Institute for Animal Studies

About Us

Long a national leader in biomedical research, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine receives almost $200 million in funding from the National Institutes of Health each year. This includes the funding for major research centers at Einstein in aging, intellectual development disorders, diabetes, cancer, clinical and translational research, and HIV/AIDS. Other major areas of research focus include developmental brain research, infectious diseases, neuroscience, cardiac disease, and community health initiatives. A crucial component of these research programs is utilizing animal models of disease.

The Director of the Institute for Animal Studies (IAS) and Attending Veterinarian provides leadership of the IAS staff to support the highest quality animal biomedical research and education to provide the most humane animal care possible that complies with all animal welfare and health and safety policies and regulations. The IAS is responsible for four (4) facilities in different research buildings and provides animal-procurement and animal-husbandry services, veterinary care, comprehensive animal quality-assurance and quarantine programs, consultation services and training for all Einstein investigators utilizing animals in their research programs. The health care for all animals used in research studies at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Einstein), which includes multiple species, is provided by the IAS veterinarians, veterinary technicians, and animal care takers.

The Director of IAS will serve in the role of the Attending Veterinarian and be responsible for the program of veterinary care as outlined by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) International and as provided by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which has regulatory oversight of the program. This includes responsibility for ensuring the Einstein AAALAC-accredited animal facilities meet required standards to ensure animal welfare. The Director of the Institute for Animal Studies (IAS) and Attending Veterinarian will have an academic appointment in a department that commensurate with their academic accomplishments.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing overall leadership and direction to staff, which include Veterinarians, Veterinary Technicians, Husbandry staff (Management, Supervisors, and Technicians) and Office staff. This includes setting expectations & focus, assigning duties, delegating ‎‎responsibilities, evaluating activities, and the preparation of performance ‎appraisals & professional development plans.
• Providing financial oversight over the Institute for Animal Studies budget and its role as a shared services core facility.  
• Identifying strategic goals based upon regular program assessment, developing plans consistent with current and emerging research needs at Einstein, and implementing actions necessary to achieve these goals as well as continuous program improvement. This includes participating in the submission of facilities grants for funding to NIH and other agencies.
• Ensuring animal care is implemented in a manner that meets the high standards required for accreditation by AAALAC (the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care) and compliance with state and federal regulations. This responsibility includes leading the preparation of AAALAC documents.
• Providing veterinary clinical care as needed in support of clinical veterinary staff.
• Working in collaboration with the IACUC and IACUC staff to ensure regulatory matters are addressed, and that animal welfare and research activities are balanced with efficient daily operations and long-range academic and facility needs.
• Serving as a member of the IACUC.
• Providing advice to campus animal facility management, animal users, and administration regarding current standards for research and animal care. Providing advice on the needs of the IAS for animal care, including consultation on facilities upgrades to meet regulatory, animal welfare requirements, and Einstein investigator needs.
• Overseeing the ‎process of IAS staff hiring, ‎promotions, terminations, disciplinary procedures, ‎and salary ‎‎adjustments. Provide ongoing performance feedback, goal setting, and development plans for IAS staff. ‎‎‎
• Engaging, advising and training direct IAS reports to promote research excellence and productivity.
• Serving as an advocate and spokesperson for Einstein at the local, regional and national levels on issues relating to animal care and use. 
• Developing and maintaining productive working relationships with faculty, students, staff and the surrounding community.
• Potentially serving as a scientific collaborator with Einstein faculty to support their research programs.

QUALIFICATIONS

Doctor