Attending Veterinarian – Scientific Support Services

The mission of the Allen Institute is to unlock the complexities of bioscience and advance our knowledge to improve human health. Using an open science, multi-scale, team-oriented approach, the Allen Institute focuses on accelerating foundational research, developing standards and models, and cultivating new ideas to make a broad, transformational impact on science.

The mission of the Allen Institute Administration team is to provide support and structure to the scientific divisions. Coinciding with the team science approach, administration helps facilitate team learning and the institute’s overall mission. The Attending Veterinarian (AV) will report to the Sr. Director, Scientific Support Services (S3), and work with other S3 staff to support the Institute mission for discovery research.

The Attending Veterinarian is responsible for the overall health and welfare of animals at the Allen Institute. This role includes providing and overseeing veterinary care, post-operative recovery, and working closely with other staff in the delivery of high-quality animal care in a research environment. The AV will oversee maintenance of animal records and provide regular reports on trends across the animal colony. The AV will review and develop new protocols and SOPs related to animal care and welfare and serve as an institutional expert for humane endpoints and assessment of animal health in foundational research and disease models.

The Attending Veterinary will work closely with research staff to support programs using animal models. Responsibilities will include collaboration in protocol development to ensure ethical treatment of study animals, post-approval monitoring, and assisting with teaching animal handling or new techniques, often adapted from other institutions. The AV will collaborate with research teams to provide recommendations for supporting animal health in foundational systems and disease models and will communicate effectively regarding animal health, treatment plans, and preventive care.

The Attending Veterinary will work with other staff to maintain regulatory compliance with federal, state, and local animal welfare laws and regulations. Duties will include protocol prereview and membership on the IACUC as the veterinary representative, providing expert input regarding animal health and welfare in a research setting. The AV will assist in training and evaluating staff for aseptic techniques and surgical procedures.

The Allen Institute believes that team science significantly benefits from the participation of diverse voices, experiences, and backgrounds. High-quality science can only be produced when it includes different perspectives. We are committed to increasing diversity across every team and encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Essential Functions:

• Maintain effective program of animal health and welfare
• Meet regulatory and accreditation requirements for in vivo research studies
• Serve as institutional Attending Veterinarian
• Serve as veterinarian for Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
• Serve as a resource for research staff to develop and maintain rodent animal models
• Serve as a resource for developing and teaching rodent research procedures

Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited institution
• Valid Washington State veterinary license
• 5 years knowledge of relevant regulations and accreditation requirements (e.g., AAALAC, OLAW, PHS)
• 5 years experience managing health and welfare of rodent models in complex biomedical research environment
• 3 years experience supporting rodent research animal models in biologic research environment
• Knowledge of in vivo rodent procedures including general asceptic surgery, blood draws, injections, euthanasia, other manipulations

Preferred Education and Experience

• Board certification in laboratory animal medicine
• Experience serving as veterinarian for IACUC activities
• Experience with rodent models in neurologic and immunologic research
• Experience directing team supporting rodent health and welfare in a research setting
• Works effectively in a team-oriented, matrixed environment to support advances in biomedical research
• Excellent skills in organizing and prioritizing work with experience working in a fast-paced environment
• Experience serving as a content expert and trainer for other staff in areas related to animal health and research procedures including rodent surgery
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Work Environment

• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Laboratory environment - possible chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances exposure.
• Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
• Will include wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)
• May include wearing respiratory protection for periods of time
• Working with controlled drugs
• Working with dry ice or liquid nitrogen
• Sample handling of the following material, including but not limited to: human whole blood, PBMC, Plasma, nucleic acids, and cells

Animal Care Services

• Lead team committed to animal health and welfare
• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Pre and post-operative care for mice
• Administration of compounds to mice (iv, ip, sc, po, im, ro, icv)
• Perform health assessments of mice and develop/implement treatment plans
• Perform euthanasia and tissue collections

Physical Demands

• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to accomplish in vivo rodent procedures as well as operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with office equipment.
• Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
• Push/pull up to 25 lbs.
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Reaching or climbing small ladders

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is an essential job, and you are expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
• Occasional evening and weekend hours required
• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with the flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Travel

• Occasional travel to partner sites for compliance oversight may be necessary
• Attendance and participation in national and international conferences may require travel

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required.

Annualized Salary Range

• $189,150 – $273,020*

* Final salary depends on the required education for the role, experience, level of skills relevant to the role, and work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities