The Opportunity

• Play an important role in progressing infectious disease research, including COVID-19
• Provide high level veterinary expertise in support of microbiology research projects
• Ensure animal welfare, safety and ethics is paramount to all projects

The CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) seeks to appoint a Veterinary Services Manager who has a strong interest in the delivery of science relating to infectious zoonotic and animal diseases including current COVID-19 animal model research and vaccine development.

You will contribute to the provision of a fully compliant portfolio of safe, ethical, efficient systems and services, and hands on support and guidance to the Animal Services Teams facilities who provide animal research delivery, husbandry and care to ensure that animal usage adheres to the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement to ensure efficient delivery of research outcomes. The position will provide a high level of professional veterinary expertise in support of research projects using animals within AAHL’s microbiologically secure area. 

You will communicate with regulatory entities, promote awareness of regulatory issues in the conduct of ethical and responsible animal research as well as contribute to QA and GLP compliance systems and Animal Ethics proposals. You will use your expertise in animal research and infectious disease to provide specialist  input into projects, work with our scientists and collaborators to implement, contribute to and deliver research projects in the area of zoonotic and emergency animal diseases for the purpose of mitigating their impact on Australian society, economy and environment. The successful candidate will also provide technical and policy advice when necessary.

Your duties will include:

• Line management oversight for the 3 animal services teams and projects within these facilities.
• Support the animal services capability to perform animal studies through guidance on and/or participation in animal studies to ensure they are delivered with the safety and animal welfare as the highest priorities.
• Provide hands on support for the provision of veterinary, husbandry, care and experimental procedures for animals that are used for animal infection and other studies.
• Ensure key stakeholders are engaged to ensure success of animal studies; Biorisk Management Group, Health Safety Environment, Animal Ethics Committee, scientific teams and Facility management.
• In conjunction with the Animal services Team Leaders, develop rolling strategies for each individual animal facility to support the overall animal services strategic direction. Define requirements and develop suitable animal health monitoring programs for ongoing maintenance of stock animals.
• Communicate the outcomes of research activities by means of peer-reviewed scientific publications, reports and reviews, and give oral presentations to scientific, client and community audiences where appropriate. Undertake feasibility studies, demonstrating a considerable degree of originality, creativity and innovation in solving problems and introducing new directions and approaches.
• Attend meetings as a sitting member of the Internal Biorisk Committee (IBC).
• Support the management of microbiological security through minimisation of risks associated with animal studies.
• Understand and adhere to microbiological security and compliance regulations, legislation & standards in AAHL and specifically related to the animal facilities, including compliance with Animal Ethics and Welfare guidelines and regulations.

Location:  Geelong, Victoria
Salary:  AU$113k – AU$132k plus up to 15.4% superannuation
Tenure:  Indefinite
Reference:  66593

To be considered you will need:

• A veterinary degree registrable with Veterinary Boards in Australia or registration by examination with an Australian Veterinary Board.
• Willingness to undertake hands-on animal handling, husbandry and technical tasks.
• Demonstrable experience leading technical animal teams delivering to diverse range of internal and external customers
• Demonstrated ability to plan, budget, and manage delivery of scientific projects utilising animals.
• Demonstrated commitment to safeguarding and improving the welfare of animals used in research including familiarity with the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
• Leading and managing diverse work teams delivering animal research studies involving pathogens in conventional laboratory and livestock animal models
• Experience in managing a research animal facility and experimental animals in the context of high consequence pathogen research is desirable, as is experience in biorisk management and developing and delivering animal models for PC4/BSL4 level pathogens (incl. willingness to undertake PC4 suit training)
• A PhD or equivalent research experience in a field relevant to animal disease research is also desirable.
• NOTE: Appointment to this role is subject to several conditions including a national security check, medical and psychological assessments, specific vaccination requirements and other conditions of appointment relevant to working in a contained facility.

For full details about this role please view the Position Description

Eligibility

The successful applicant will be required to obtain and provide a National Police Check or equivalent. Please read the full position description for further information on the checks and conditions required for this appointment.

Flexible Working Arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work.  Talk to us about how this role could be flexible for you.  Balance

Diversity and Inclusion

We are working hard to recruit diverse people and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish.  Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people.

About CSIRO

At CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. 

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to Apply

Please apply on-line and provide a cover letter and CV that best demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the requirements of this role.

Applications Close

4 May 2020, 11:00 pm AEST/AEDT