Assistant University Veterinarian, VP Research

The Assistant University Veterinarian provides veterinary care and leadership for research animals, ensuring welfare and regulatory compliance. Key responsibilities include animal health oversight, protocol review support, and educational program development for researchers. Applicants must hold a DVM or equivalent and be eligible for an Alberta veterinary license, with at least two years of research experience preferred.

• 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 AHU provides 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.
• 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.

• 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