Description Animal Care Services within
VP Research is currently seeking a Full-time Regular
Assistant University Veterinarian.
The Assistant University Veterinarian provides veterinary care, oversight, and leadership for animals used in research, teaching, and testing at the University of Calgary, with a strong focus on animal welfare, regulatory compliance, CCAC standards, education, and support for researchers and animal care teams. The role requires a DVM (or equivalent), eligibility for a general Alberta veterinary licence. At least two years of animal-based research experience is preferred. Strong communication, leadership, teamwork, and time-management skills are essential. Experience working with multiple species and advanced research training are considered assets.
The Assistant University Veterinarian (AUV) reports to the Head University Veterinarian (UV). The AUV provides veterinary care and oversight of animals involved in research, teaching, and testing at the University of Calgary (UCalgary). The AUV assures that the housing, husbandry, and use of such animals upholds exemplary ethical standards, meets all applicable legislation, and follows guidelines and policies published by the Canadian Council on Animal Care. The AUV provides directional advice and assistance to the administration, managerial staff, and animal care staff of the respective animal facilities. The AUV provides direction and support to Registered Veterinary Technologists, assistance with animal-related matters within their jurisdiction, and assistance with animal-related educational programs on a campus-wide basis such as the Institutional Animal User Training Program.
The AUV participates in the development and review of Standard Operating Procedures and other documents related to animals/animal use at UCalgary. The AUV is an active ex officio member of the University Animal Welfare Committee and Animal Care Committees (ACCs), and also supports the Head University Veterinarian and the University of Calgary Animal Care and Use Program. The AUV provides shared on-call veterinary services with the Associate University Veterinarian and other Assistant University Veterinarians and Registered Veterinary Technologists on weekends and holidays. Emergency and on-call coverage can result in irregular hours. In the absence of the Head University Veterinarian or Associate University Veterinarian, an AUV may be designated to act in these capacities. The AUV has a strong role in animal use education for faculty members, support staff, post-doctoral researchers, and undergraduate and graduate students, and may be involved with collaborative research or independent research. Some travel to animal and teaching facilities located at various university campuses and sites can be expected.
Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):
In collaboration with the Animal Resources Centre management and staff, the AHU and UCARE contribute to upholding the mission and goals of the University of Calgary. This is accomplished by: creating and delivering exemplary animal care services, conducting ethical review of animal uses, and promoting and enhancing competency in use of animals in research and teaching within a productive work and learning environment.
The AUV is part of an extensive AHU team. Together with UCARE, the AHUs provide advice, education, and assistance for faculty members, doctoral researchers, students, and support staff using animals in research. This includes providing the expertise necessary to efficiently, effectively, and ethically aid in the accomplishment of research objectives of the faculty and students. Within this team, the AUV is responsible for a number of functions.
- Providing veterinary care and services for all University-owned animals through collaboration with research and teaching teams at the University of Calgary. This may include animals housed offsite.
- Ensuring that animal research is conducted, and laboratory animals are cared for and used, in accordance with government legislation, standards to which the University adheres, and other applicable University policies. Together with the University Veterinarian, the AUV aids in development, evaluation, and revision of University policies as well as its standard operating procedures on animal care.
- Responsible for daily interpretation, administration, and enforcement of the University's policies on animal care.
- Provides expert professional advice and counsel on Animal Use Protocol (AUP) development for members of UCalgary research and teaching teams.
- Ensuring animal use within research programs adheres to the restrictions and obligations detailed within the ACC-approved AUP. This includes supervision of the daily conduct of researchers and technicians in relation activities using animals.
- Providing professional advice and collaborating with researchers to troubleshoot any animal health and welfare issues that arise. The AUV provides a unique perspective on research and teaching initiatives, which is valuable for improving methods to meet study goals, improve animal welfare, and offer new avenues for research exploration.
- May serve as an approved Health Canada Qualified Person in Charge (QPIC) or Alternate Qualified Person in Charge (AQPIC) for the legal procurement, management, and sales of controlled substances. This includes a formal criminal record check.
- Responsible for writing prescriptions for pharmaceuticals that are approved within AUPs and when there is a valid client-animal-veterinarian relationship.
- Within their jurisdiction, the AUV is responsible for overseeing and managing the use of in-house pharmaceuticals for the University's Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA)-certified Veterinary Practice Entity.
- Participating in the delivery of animal-related training and certification for all personnel who will be handling or using animals or tissues obtained from animals for research, teaching, or testing at the University of Calgary. This specifically includes surgery and anaesthesia sessions, and may include handling sessions or special skills sessions.
- May have a further educational role through adjunct associations with specific Faculties, and in particular with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in developing, revising, maintaining and delivering educational materials involved in laboratory animal science and medicine at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, as well as maintaining educational programs for support staff through in-house education or via the local Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) Chapter.
- Ensures that critical animal care issues are identified and addressed, and from this position provides strategic information to the Animal Resources Centres Manager(s), the Head University Veterinarian, and members of the University's Faculties relative to animal care and use matters.
- May also be requested to serve as a Director of an animal facility.
- Work collaboratively with the other AUVs across campus.
- Support the Post-Approval-Assurance team by participating in procedural audits for laboratories on surgeries, behavioral procedures, and other tasks for both proactive and reactive purposes.
- May assist laboratories in documenting animal activities in MOSAIC by guiding students in selecting and completing appropriate exams to ensure regulatory compliance.
- May deliver continuing education to Animal Resource Center staff members through presentations on animal health, animal welfare, animal assessments, and/or specific procedures involving animals.
- May support the local Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS) chapter by organizing events, providing educational opportunities, and delivering presentations for continuing education credits.
- May serve on University of Calgary committees and working groups related to UCARE team activities.
- May support the University of Calgary's External Space Certification program by advising on certification efforts for facilities outside the purpose built Animal Resource Center facilities and ensuring timely compliance with regulatory standards. The AUV may be recruited to serve on an ACC subcommittee to assess, provide feedback, and certify or recertify an extra-vivarial animal procedural space.
Qualifications / Requirements:- Must possess a degree in veterinary medicine (DVM or equivalent) and immediately obtain a license to practice veterinary medicine and surgery in Alberta.
- Must possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong leadership skills, teamwork skills, and time management skills are absolutely essential.
- Post-graduate training or experience in laboratory animal medicine, surgery, and laboratory animal science is required.
- Experience or advanced training in rodent genomics, phenomics, or metabolomics is desirable.
- Post-graduate training at the MSc level (PhD preferred) in a related discipline such as anatomy, bacteriology, biochemistry, epidemiology, immunology, host-pathogen interactions, molecular biology, mycology, parasitology, pathology, pharmacology, physiology, research methodology, surgery, theriogenology, virology, etc. is advantageous.
- Board Certification or eligibility for, and commitment to achieve, ACLAM Certification is desirable.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in animal-based research is preferred.
- Experience handling, diagnosing, and treating multiple animal species preferred.
- General license with the ABVMA to practice veterinary medicine is required.
- Class 5 Alberta Operators license is required.
Application Deadline: November 7, 2026
We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.
This position is classified in the
Professional Career Band, Level 5 of the Management and Professional Staff Career Framework.
For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our
Management and Staff Careers website .
