Job DescriptionThe In Vivo Team Leader is responsible for providing hands-on technical leadership, daily coordination, and operational support for in vivo research activities within the Neurobiology group. This role supports nonclinical drug discovery studies using rodent models and serves as a highly skilled resource for study execution, animal care coordination, staff training, scheduling, and communication between research scientists, animal care staff and site leadership.
This full-time Alkermes role operates with a high degree of independence, accountability, and leadership impact. The In Vivo Team Leader applies sound judgment to coordinate work, resolve operational issues, mentor colleagues, and ensure high-quality, compliant, and humane execution of in vivo studies that support portfolio delivery and the continued growth of internal research capabilities.
Responsibilities- Coordinate the behavioral studies calendar and daily study activities, aligning resources, priorities, staffing, and time-sensitive procedures with project team needs.
- Serve as the manager's primary backup for study-related operational issues, helping triage questions, resolve day-to-day challenges, escalate concerns, and maintain continuity of support.
- Conduct and support nonclinical in vivo rodent studies in accordance with approved protocols, SOPs, institutional standards, and regulatory expectations.
- Perform and/or oversee in-life procedures, including animal handling and restraint, test article preparation and administration, body weight collection, clinical observations, sample collection, necropsy support, and post-mortem processing.
- Administer test articles by relevant routes, including oral, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous administration, as appropriate for study needs and training qualifications.
- Support pharmacodynamic, behavioral, pharmacokinetic, and translational neuroscience studies by ensuring accurate execution, high-quality data collection, and timely communication of observations.
- Assist with study protocol development, review, and operational planning, including feasibility input, procedure timing, staffing, materials, and workflow considerations.
- Train, mentor, and provide technical guidance to animal care and research staff while reinforcing consistent technique, documentation, animal welfare, and safe work practices.
- Maintain accurate study records in electronic laboratory notebooks, data capture systems, spreadsheets, or other required systems, and summarize activities or results as needed.
- Collaborate with Neurobiology scientists, animal care, veterinary staff, EHS, facilities, vendors, and management to resolve operational issues and support smooth study execution.
- Model professional behavior and reinforce a positive, collaborative, and respectful work environment.
- Adhere to animal welfare standards, humane care principles, safety policies, PPE requirements, controlled substance procedures, and institutional requirements.
Qualifications- Serve as the delegated operational point of contact for in vivo study execution, using established priorities, protocols, and manager guidance to support timely decisions and appropriate escalation.
- Partner with project teams, scientists, and management to balance competing study requests, LMA calendar demands, staffing needs, and project timelines.
- Translate study plans into executable workflows, anticipate operational challenges, and help ensure work is completed accurately, safely, and on schedule.
- Demonstrate independent judgment in prioritizing daily work while maintaining animal welfare, safety, data integrity, and protocol compliance.
- Provide informal leadership by setting high standards for technical execution, documentation quality, communication, accountability, and team collaboration.
- Support continuous improvement by identifying workflow gaps, proposing practical solutions, and helping implement efficient, standardized processes.
- Support team development through coaching, knowledge sharing, and reinforcement of consistent practices across the group.
Basic Qualifications:
- High school diploma, GED, or 15+ years of directly related industry experience required.
- Demonstrated experience with rodent handling, restraint, dosing, sample collection, clinical observations, study documentation, and in-life study support.
- Experience performing or supporting rodent surgical or advanced technical procedures preferred, such as catheterization, osmotic pump implantation, or other specialized techniques.
- Experience training, mentoring, coordinating work, or providing leadership within a laboratory animal or research setting.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, electronic laboratory notebook systems, and study documentation tools.
- Ability to interpret protocols and SOPs, and maintain accurate records with strong attention to detail.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Strong technical proficiency in rodent in vivo procedures and animal welfare practices.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to coordinate multiple studies, competing priorities, and time-sensitive activities.
- Sound judgment, reliability, and the ability to work independently while knowing when to escalate issues.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with colleagues at multiple levels.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor others, reinforce best practices, and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
- Commitment to data integrity, protocol compliance, humane animal care, safety, and continuous improvement.
The annual base salary for this position ranges from $108,000 to $130,000. In addition, this position is eligible for an annual performance pay bonus. Exact compensation may vary based on skills, training, knowledge, and experience. Alkermes offers a competitive benefits package. Additional details can be found on our careers website: www.alkermes.com/careers#working-here
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