What we do?

Virscio is a specialty translational research organization developing and providing innovative in vivo disease modeling, histopathology, and molecular preclinical research and development services to meet the translational, and regulatory research needs of the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry. We specialize in the fields of ophthalmology, central nervous system, cardiovascular, metabolic, and immunology related disease and disorders, and have advanced discovery and development programs for a wide network of sponsors, collaborators, and partners around the world, ranging from large pharmaceutical companies and venture-backed biotechnology companies to academic teams seeking to apply the most cutting-edge research and development strategies in the most efficient and robust manner.

 

What will you do?


The Research Veterinarian provides veterinary care, physiologic evaluations and conducts or supports animal recruitment assignments, surgical and non-surgical procedures associated with the company’s preclinical study execution, commercialization, and internal research and development activities.  The Research Veterinarian’s proficiency with associated best veterinary practices and familiarity with related scientific and clinical fields is critical for both effective animal care and direct participation in data collection and interpretation. The Research Veterinarian additionally manages and oversees project team members who may be delegated specific technical and animal care responsibilities.

 

Reports To

 

Facility Director. Indirectly reports to the Chief Scientific Officer (and directly to the Chief Veterinarian, when that role is occupied).

Location

Onsite St. Kitts 

 

Unique Working Hours Considerations

 

Weekends and holidays required.

 

Type of Role

Full Time (40 hours per week)

 

Essential Supervisory Responsibilities

 

  1. Oversees the daily workflow of the veterinary care support to the research department and schedules work.
  2. Evaluates colony veterinary, animal care and research outcomes and reports regularly via Morbidity and Mortality reviews to respective department staff to guide and ensure best practice.
  3. Provides constructive and timely input to performance evaluations and creates and tracks goals attainment. 
  4. Oversees pair/group housing program, maintaining the social housing database, instructing and supervising animal care, research and veterinary team members on pair/group formation and monitoring.
  5. Instruction of Animal Care personnel on colony health monitoring and clinical management through lectures and training sessions.
  6. Accountable for final QC of research related veterinary documentation.
  7. Maintenance, review, responding to, and approval of regulatory documents, audit findings, colony management database, animal movements, organizing animal reservations and assignments to protocols, and clinical response to research colony management needs.
  8. Maintains 100% clinical decision-making authority.

 

Essential Job Responsibilities

  1. Veterinary Care: Work closely with the management team and facility veterinarian staff to maintain and advance the facility veterinary program and health and welfare of the facility colony.  Leads the colony health surveillance program, monitoring of all health screening procedures and dictating any additions/changes to surveillance needs as they arise, including parasitology program and dental health programs. Directly supervise animal care and technical staff regarding animal care and veterinary care procedures related to study animals.
  2. Operational: Drive operational effectiveness and fulfillment of the company’s mission through active participation in study meetings and communications.  Contribute to the development and refinement of quality systems related to animal medical records and colony census database maintenance.  Compile and render animal exam information, necropsy reports and data into formats that can be shared with scientists within Virscio and with study sponsors. Veterinary representative communicating with visiting scientists, prospective and current clients on capabilities and best practices.
  3. Research:  Supervise or oversee critical components of pre-study procedures including but not limited to baseline health exams and subject recruitment.  Conduct protocol specified qualitative and quantitative clinical exams, surgical procedures and the acquiring and applying the associated new procedural and clinical management skills. Veterinary team lead of the supervision of the anesthesia and surgical procedures performed, as well as consult on any protocols and procedural changes needed to ensure animal health and safety, working closely with study directors during protocol development to ensure effective and safe research practices. Ensure all critical animal care and screening for study initiation are completed successfully.  Oversee veterinary care of all animals reserved or recruited to studies throughout the in-life study execution and communication with both Study Directors and sponsors throughout studies. On-site liaison with the pathologists, guiding and instructing on gross necropsy techniques with the necropsy technical team.
  4. Compliance:  Maintain compliance with all applicable international standards (e.g., OLAW and AAALAC) and facility standard operating procedures (SOPs).  Serve as a nonvoting member of the Testing Facility IACUC committee and lead the Post Approval Monitoring program. Perform regular Testing Facility site inspections and provide written findings to help assure compliance with test facility standard operating procedures, AAALAC accreditation standards and OLAW guidelines.  Contribute to preparation for compliance audits of laboratory animal research and preclinical research practices. Veterinary representative communicating with auditors during inspections.
  5. Study Director:  Lead or contribute to the design, execution and analysis of in vivo translational research studies, and generation of associated IACUC and study protocols and reports, for internal research and development projects and programs advancing the company’s research mission and scientific services.
  6. Career and company development:  Develop a fluency and expertise with the literature, terminology, study objectives and methodologies of primate preclinical research, specifically related to evaluating the efficacy, pharmacology and safety of new therapeutics, medical devices, and drug delivery technologies, and applying that knowledge to participation in preclinical studies.  Engage with vendors and suppliers to identify and procure specific veterinary equipment and supplies required for effective veterinary care and remaining current on standards of care.

 

Who are we looking for?

  • Education level/Certifications/Licensures
  • Advanced degree in veterinary medicine required, ACLAM board certification preferred.  Clinical specialty desired.
  • Experience
  • At least 8 years of relevant animal care experience, working with primates, exotics, or large animals.
  • At least 4 years of research experience.  Experience with contract research preferred.
  • Good technology use skills and willingness to learn.
  • Specific competencies
  • Ability to perform duties and responsibilities with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to effectively follow verbal and written instructions and exhibit interpersonal skills that are conducive to effective communication and that contribute to a congenial work environment.

 

  • Travel expectations
  • Less than 10%
    •  

What we offer?

Virscio provides a competitive, flexible, and comprehensive benefits package that can be tailored to meet your individual needs. Our benefits are designed to support the holistic well-being of our employees and their families, offering affordable healthcare coverage, retirement savings plan, and a wide range of voluntary benefits for financial protection and peace of mind, among many other perks.

We are committed to fostering an environment where you feel engaged, empowered, and passionate about your work, while promoting collaborative and empathetic interactions with others.

Virscio is bridging the translational gap with critical research to define solutions for significant unmet health challenges. Every day, our community brings their best selves to this shared mission. Join us on our journey and become part of our community.