Advertising Summary: 

At the VCU Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation, our mission is to foster transformative research, discovery, and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.

We partner with faculty in all schools and departments as they seek funding, plan studies, establish collaborations, calculate budgets, submit grant applications, negotiate industry contracts, and secure patents and licensing agreements.

Our commitment to supporting and elevating the research community at VCU has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation’s premier public research universities.

Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity, and scholarship.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Protocol Review and IACUC Coordination: Manage and administratively pre-review animal research protocol submissions to ensure completeness and compliance with regulatory requirements. Coordinate protocol reviews among IACUC members and investigators, maintain official records, and prepare meeting minutes and correspondence letters.
2. Investigator Support and IACUC Activities: Provide guidance and feedback to investigators to improve the quality and accuracy of protocol submissions; participate in IACUC and ACUP related activities, including semiannual facility inspections, subcommittees, and program reviews; and
3. Education and Training Programs: Coordinate the ACUP/DAR educational program for animal researchers and IACUC members, including seminars, webinars, communications and advertisements. Maintain and update educational materials on the ACUP website to ensure content remains current and accurate.
4. Quality Assurance and System Improvement: Lead ongoing quality assurance and process improvement efforts for the IACUC electronic submission and review system. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to enhance protocol forms and submission workflows, ensuring efficient review and compliance with federal, state, local, and institutional regulations.

This position facilitates, supports, and helps manage Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) operations within the Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) Office, serving as a central administrative and compliance resource for protocol review, investigator engagement, training coordination, system improvement initiatives, and other duties assigned by the IACUC Operations Manager. The position requires strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret and apply applicable regulations and institutional policies. Effective written and verbal communication skills are necessary to guide and advise IACUC members, investigators, and research staff and to prepare clear correspondence conveying IACUC determinations. Exceptional organizational skills are necessary to manage monthly committee meetings, oversee protocol reviews, and coordinate a comprehensive training program. Analytical and data analysis skills are also needed to support continuous quality improvement of IACUC processes. This role requires a flexible professional with experience in animal research, the ability to quickly learn program-specific functions, strong interpersonal skills, and the capacity to manage high workloads, strict deadlines, and frequent change.

Typical Duties:

Reviews Animal Research Submissions to the IACUC and Participates in IACUC Administrative Work

Uses independent judgment in the review of incoming submissions such as:

• Ensure submission is complete.
• Identifies regulatory issues requiring immediate correction and/or special attention during IACUC review.
• Confirms ancillary required reviews are completed prior to final approval.
• Corresponds with investigators and coordinators to obtain additional information and request corrections.
• Participates in IACUC Sub-Committees as a contributing member. Inspects animal facilities according to regulatory requirements and guidance as part of  IACUC semi-annual facility inspection process

Manages IACUC Operations

• Evaluates the nature of each research submission and assigns to IACUC reviewers based on area of expertise.
• Coordinates required animal care & use functions across differing units of the program including Division of Animal Resources, Institutional Biosafety Committee, Radiation Safety, and Employee Health.
• Prepares meeting agendas and meeting materials in a timely manner allowing committee members adequate review time.
• Prepares accurate meeting minutes including detailed documentation of the discussion of each research submission, controversial discussions, committee votes, and other committee business.
• Prepares detailed letters to investigators to convey committee review issues, discussion items, findings, and specific approvals.
• Participates in IACUC meetings.
• Tracks submission status and progress of the review process.
• Corresponds with reviewers to provide guidance and assists in meeting review turnaround goals.
• Monitors the approval status of protocols and initiates holding protocol status appropriately.
• Maintains complete, accurate, and retrievable records on each protocol including submissions, reviews, email exchanges, and committee meeting minutes.
• Maintains records on animal researchers who have completed Employee Health registration and mandatory IACUC trainings.
• Works collaboratively with other coordinators to ensure all committee work is completed accurately and in a timely fashion.
• Provides consultation to IACUC members and Chair regarding meeting conduct requirements, institutional policies and procedures, and federal regulations

Education Program for Animal Researchers and IACUC Members

• Helps to identify training needs of IACUC members and researcher community.
• Schedules and coordinates ongoing training programs/workshops for researchers.
• Identifies presenters to deliver training as needed.
• Monitors the AALAS Learning Library (ALL) catalog of courses to ensure offerings remain current.
• Identifies needs for resource and educational materials for IACUC members and animal investigators.
• Work with team members and ACUP leadership to provide resources
• Provides consultation and informal education to reviewers, investigators and research staff regarding regulatory requirements, IACUC Written Policies and Procedures (WPP), decisions of the IACUC, working with other units of ACUP (e.g., DAR, IBC, Employee Health), and ACUP business practices.

Supports Animal Care and Use Program

• Participates in the development of Written Policies and Procedures (WPPs) and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Maintains current knowledge of IACUC WPPS and ACUP business practices. 
• Maintains current knowledge of federal regulations governing animal research and humane animal care and use, and applies knowledge to research submission reviews and committee management. 
• Engages in quality improvement initiatives by identifying areas for improvement, developing solutions, and assisting in implementation by training co-workers or reviewers as appropriate. 
• Notifies ACUP Director and/or IACUC Chair regarding discrepancies/omissions in IACUC Committee work and the IACUC WPPs.
• Participates in educational activities for professional development and meets continuing education requirements.

Manages ongoing quality assurance and quality improvement of the IACUC electronic submission and review system

• Monitors use of the electronic protocol management system and identifies areas needing improvement.
• Leads efforts to design revisions to or develop new questions, workflow, guidance, etc. Communicates system changes to the research community and the IACUC.
• Assists IACUC members, investigators and study staff on proper use of the electronic submission system, its navigation, and submission documents.

Manages IACUC content on the ACUP website

• Monitors IACUC / ACUP information on the site to ensure that content is current and accurate.
• Coordinates design and content updates to IACUC / ACUP information on the website.

Other duties assigned by the IACUC Operations Manager

• Perform additional duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Only applicants who do not require current or future sponsorship for employment will be considered

• Bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent combination of training and experience is required.
• Ability to analyze regulations, apply regulations to research protocols, and convey information verbally and in writing to faculty and staff.
• Ability to set priorities and manage time effectively including a demonstrated ability to plan, organize, schedule, and complete work within deadlines. Ability to work in a diverse environment.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks at any given time with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to recognize, analyze, and resolve potential issues/problems.
• Highly effective interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Excellent written communication skills.
• Diplomacy and exceptional customer service.
• Utilize independent initiative.
• Ability to work with all levels of individuals in a respectful and supportive manner.
• High level of proficiency with MS Word, Excel, and Power Point, as well as experience using databases.
• Ability to quickly learn new computer software. A commitment to help maintain a positive, productive, and healthy office environment.
• A demonstrated commitment to continuous quality improvement such as identifying areas for increased efficiency or developing solutions to challenges.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience could include working in an IACUC office or in the conduct of research studies involving animals.
• Currently holds or should seek certification as a Certified Professional IACUC Administrator within 2 years of hire.
• Knowledge of federal regulations governing animal research.
• Experience writing and/or editing animal research protocols.

Salary Range: up to $60,000

Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.

Unit: Vice President for Research & Innovation MBU

Department: Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP)

FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt

Hours per Week: 40

Restricted Position: Yes

ORP Eligible: No

Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid

University Job Title: Open (25224N - Sr Analyst LG 1)