Job Description
General Summary:
The Comparative Medicine Manager, Vivarium Operations is responsible for leading, supporting, and coordinating key aspects of the San Diego Research Site Vivarium and IACUC operations/management, with a primary focus on maintaining the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium. This role serves as a critical partner to research teams by overseeing animal procurement, supporting IACUC-related processes, providing technical expertise for animal studies, and ensuring in vivo users are appropriately trained and onboarded. This person would serve as the Global Comparative Medicine liaison for San Diego.
The position also plays a central role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of IACUC policies, guidelines, SOPs, and training materials to promote compliance, operational excellence, and high standards of animal welfare.
Key Responsibilities:
Vivarium Operations
- Support and help maintain the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium to ensure efficient, compliant, and uninterrupted research support.
- Management of contract personnel for San Diego vivarium.
- Management of Vertex activities at contracted site for Seattle.
- Work across sites for harmonization of processes as applicable.
- Partner with internal stakeholders and vivarium staff to identify operational needs and implement process improvements.
- Monitor operational workflows to ensure alignment with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards in accordance with local guidelines.
- Provide weekend support as needed.
Global Animal Procurement
- Coordinate global animal procurement activities to ensure timely and reliable sourcing of animals for research programs.
- Collaborate with internal research teams, vendors, and external partners to support study timelines and business needs.
- Track procurement logistics and resolve issues related to supply, scheduling, or study support.
IACUC Support and Compliance
- Assist with IACUC management activities, including protocol-related support, documentation, and coordination with internal stakeholders.
- Contribute to the development, revision, and implementation of IACUC policies, guidelines, and SOPs.
- Help ensure vivarium and in vivo activities are conducted in compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
- Support inspection readiness and corrective actions as needed.
Technical Support for Animal Studies
- Oversee technical support for animal studies and serve as a resource to in vivo users and project teams.
- Assist with study planning and execution by offering operational/technical support.
- Troubleshoot technical or operational issues that may impact in vivo research activities.
Training and Onboarding
- Work with Global Trainer on providing technical training to in vivo users to ensure safe, effective, and compliant conduct of animal studies.
- Assist in the onboarding of new in vivo users, including orientation to vivarium procedures, expectations, and required training.
- Work with Global Trainer to develop and maintain training content related to vivarium operations, animal procedures, and compliance requirements.
- Promote best practices in animal care, handling, documentation, and study conduct.
Documentation and Continuous Improvement
- Develop, update, and maintain training documentation, SOPs, guidance documents, and other controlled content.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, user experience, and compliance processes across vivarium activities.
- Support standardization of practices across local and global vivarium-related functions where applicable.
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field required.
- A master’s degree in a relevant scientific or operational discipline is preferred.
- Experience supporting vivarium operations, laboratory animal research, or in vivo study execution.
- Experience with IACUC processes, animal welfare regulations, and related compliance requirements.
- Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation.
- Experience training technical users and supporting onboarding in a research environment preferred.
- Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred.
- AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.
Preferred Attributes, Skills, and Abilities- Ability to provide hands-on and technical support for in vivo studies.
- Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to develop clear, effective, and compliant policies, SOPs, guidelines, and training content.
- Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across scientific, operational, and compliance teams.
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to quality, animal welfare, and operational excellence.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced, matrixed, and collaborative research environment.
- Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive approach to operational challenges.
- Ability to influence and support adoption of best practices across in vivo users and stakeholders.
- Global mindset with the ability to coordinate across sites, functions, and external partners.
Pay Range:
$113,400 - $170,000
Disclosure Statement:
The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market-leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week-long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.
Flex Designation:
Hybrid-Eligible Or On-Site Eligible
Flex Eligibility Status:
In this Hybrid-Eligible role, you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.
Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.
#LI-Hybrid
