Careers @ MSU

The Director of the IACUC office will lead MSU’s IACUC office through management, operations, and administration to ensure compliance with USDA, PHS, AAALAC International, and other relevant regulations and standards. The Director is the main point of contact on all aspects of IACUC operations. They are the primary liaison between the IACUC, faculty, research staff, veterinarians, and external regulatory agencies. They are responsible for managing AAALAC accreditation, NIH Assurance, and USDA registration, reporting and inspection compliance. They create, disseminate, and maintain required reports and notices in accordance with established laws and regulations. They will also manage FOIA responses pertaining to animal research, teaching, and testing. 

Working with campus veterinarians and IACUC, the Director drives the implementation of regulations related to the use of animals in research and teaching. They organize and lead programmatic reviews and development ensuring humane and ethical animal care and alignment with regulatory standards and best practices.  The Director will provide training and guidance to faculty, staff, and IACUC committee members on regulatory requirements and the ethical use of animals in research.  The Director will be responsible for establishing programs, assessments, training, and procedures to ensure education in animal research. The Director will lead the post-approval monitoring program of facilities and laboratories to ensure ongoing protocol adherence. They will investigate and resolve non-compliance issues or concerns related to animal care and use protocols. 

Communicating and working with faculty, staff, and trainees across MSU campus, the Director will support animal research, protocol submission, and review administration, as well as budget, structure, and development of the IACUC office.  

The Director must stay current on changes to the federal, state and local regulations that apply to animal research and utilize their regulatory expertise to advise the IACUC committee (comprised predominantly of faculty), IACUC Chair, and ACP on oversight activities and develops policies and guidelines pertaining to ethical animal care and use. They will also advise and regularly meet with the Attending Veterinarian (AV), the AVP of ORRS and the Institutional Official, VPR Office of Research and Innovation (OR&I). They are also responsible for disseminating information to the IACUC, ORRS, OR&I, Campus Animal Resources (CAR), and the faculty related to the federal rules and regulations and accrediting body requirements for the ACP.  

Additional Duties Include: 

• Responsible for regulatory oversight and compliance with state and federal requirements related to animal research. 
• Participates on the ORRS and ACP leadership teams, reporting to the Associate Vice President for the ORRS and the Institutional Official, the Vice President for Research and Innovation. Supports the IACUC, ACP, ORRS, and OR&I by providing advice, information, and updates. 
• Develops innovative communication strategies to enhance education and compliance.  Develops forms and manuals. 
• Oversees the IACUC facility and laboratory inspection program, including semiannual review of programs and inspection of facilities. Ensures that inspections of all animal facilities as well as sites where animals are used are conducted as required. Ensures appropriate record keeping. Reviews and monitors plan for correction of deficiencies. Prepares report of the review for ORRS and OR&I. Works with IACUC to investigate and report 1) allegations of noncompliance or concerns regarding the use of animals and 2) all whistle blower activity related to the animal care program. Also manages communication between Henry Ford Health and MSU IACUCs.
• Consults with faculty and staff on protocol preparation to ensure complete and accurate description of the work to be performed. Manages and facilitates the online submission and review of animal use protocols. Provides orientation and training for faculty, staff, and students on requirements, policies, and procedures of the MSU Animal Care Program. 
• Ensures that the IACUC has the resources, documentation, and necessary training to evaluation and enhancement of the University’s training program for the humane care and use of animals. Coordinates and/or conducts other training and workshops as needed.
• Responsible for working with campus veterinarians to implement required regulations related to the use of animal research, teaching and testing. Monitors external collaborations, partnerships, sub-contracts, and off-site activities. Coordinates ACP responses to Freedom of Information Act requests. 
• Maintains official IACUC records in compliance with federal regulations and University policies. Maintains documentation of compliance for inspection by outside agencies. Prepares reports to federal and accrediting bodies. 
• Submits AAALAC program descriptions and manages site visit every 3 years. Manages the PHS Assurance for MSU (submitted every 4 years). Manages MSU/USDA Contingency plan for the Animal Care Program.
• Maintains a national presence through serving on or as a liaison to national organizations, scientific societies, other IACUCs, federal agencies, cooperating institutions, and other universities.  
• Maintains contact with MSU academic, research, and administrative departments on matters of animal research and related training and educational programs. Represents office at departmental, university-wide, and appropriate extra-university functions. Works with other units in the Office of Research Regulatory Support to enhance team approaches to address common challenges within regulatory affairs and the university. 
• Performs other duties as assigned.