University Veterinarian

McGill University; Eeyou Istchee James Bay; On-site; CAD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university is looking for a University Veterinarian to oversee its animal care program. The role includes ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards and regulatory guidelines, providing strategic guidance, and improving institutional policies related to animal research. Ideal candidates will hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and possess over 10 years of experience in leadership roles in laboratory animal medicine. This position is based in Quebec, Canada, and involves active involvement with various committees on animal care and welfare.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in leadership roles in laboratory animal medicine.
• Eligibility for licensure with L’Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec.
• Experience with CCAC certified programs, particularly in biomedical research.

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership for the Animal Care and Use Program across the University.
• Advise senior leadership on compliance and strategic planning for animal research.
• Oversee training programs for personnel involved in animal research.

Skills

Leadership in laboratory animal medicine

Regulatory compliance knowledge

Crisis management

Training program development

Education

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Job description

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Reporting to the Vice-President (Research and Innovation) (VPRI), the University Veterinarian provides leadership for McGill’s animal care program and ensures the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance across the University. The incumbent oversees the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of institutional policies and practices that govern the ethical, responsible, and compliant conduct of research, teaching, and testing involving animals. He/she provides strategic direction for the planning and modernization of animal care facilities to support evolving research needs and ensures that all activities are conducted in accordance with the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines, applicable federal, provincial, and international legislation and regulations, and the requirements of national and international funding agencies. Acting as the University’s senior authority on animal welfare, the University Veterinarian provides strategic guidance to the VPRI and senior leadership on matters of compliance, infrastructure, and risk management; leads engagement with accrediting and regulatory bodies and ensures that McGill’s animal care program remains a model of excellence and accountability among leading research-intensive universities.

This is an open posting. Based on the level of education/ training and relevant experience, the chosen candidate can be hired as an Academic Associate or into a Professorial (CAS, professional) position.

Primary Responsibilities:

Strategic and Institutional Leadership

• Provide University-wide leadership for the Animal Care and Use Program, ensuring that McGill maintains the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance in alignment with its research mission.
• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of institutional policies, standards, and governance structures related to animal care and use.
• Advise the VPRI and senior leadership on matters of institutional risk, compliance, and strategic planning related to animal research.
• Establish and monitor program goals, performance indicators, and quality assurance mechanisms to support continuous improvement and transparency.
• Represent McGill externally as a recognized leader in animal care and welfare in research-intensive environments, and engage with peer institutions, funding agencies, and professional associations to shape best practices and regulatory approaches.

Regulatory and Ethical Oversight

• Oversee McGill’s Animal Care and Use program across McGill’s animal facilities including The Comparative Medicine and Animal Resource Centre – CMARC, to ensure compliance with the CCAC guidelines and all applicable federal, provincial and international regulations, and institutional policies, and sponsors requirements.
• Act as the primary contact for accrediting bodies, leads related assessment visits and oversees the response and implementation of related recommendations.
• Bring forward documented compliance issues to VPRI management group and provide strategic guidance for prompt and effective resolution of non-conformity or non-compliance.
• Establish, evaluate and enforce veterinary standards consistent with the Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Medicine Standards of Veterinary Care, and possibly terminate a research procedure if animal welfare is affected.

Operational Excellence and Resource Stewardship

• Provide strategic direction and oversees the CMARC’s Veterinary and Technical Services team, the Animal Care Operations team as well as the Animal Compliance Office setting institutional priorities and ensuring effective execution
• Oversee strategic direction and management of animal care facilities and infrastructure, including facility design and renovations, species selection, animal census, and the procurement of specialized equipment and technologies.
• In collaboration with Director of Operations, VPRI, lead human resource-, space-, equipment-, and budget planning for the animal care portfolio.
• Ensure that operational planning and resource allocation reflect the evolving needs of researchers and contribute to McGill’s competitiveness in animal-based research
• Continually strive to improve the quality of the program while enhancing service and optimizing the use of resources within McGill’s animal facilities.

Training, Communication, and Crisis Management

• Serve on various University-wide committees and working groups on matters of animal care and compliance, including the Animal Care Committees (ACCs) for the ethical review of animal research protocols and the University’s Animal Policy and Welfare Oversight (APWOC) Committee (APWOC); chairs the Veterinary Committee.
• Oversee the development and implementation of training programs to ensure all personnel involved in animal research meet institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with McGill’s Media Relations Office to support communication with external stakeholders and the public on matters related to animal welfare and ethics.
• Lead the development and implementation of crisis management, and communications plans related to animal research at McGill.

Minimum Education/Experience:

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with an emphasis on, or additional qualifications in, Laboratory Animal Medicine. Must be eligible for licensure with L’Ordre des médecins vétérinaires du Québec.
• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in a leadership role in laboratory animal medicine which includes institutional veterinary research (academic, industrial or government),
• Advanced experience in a diverse CCAC certified program, preferably with biomedical and agricultural research.
• Research experience, advanced academic degree, and demonstrated success in working with researchers and leading teams and programs are considered an asset.
• American College of Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) board certification or board eligibility is considered an asset.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

McGill University is committed to equity and diversity within its community and values academic rigour and excellence. We welcome and encourage applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to engage productively with diverse communities.

At McGill, research that reflects diverse intellectual traditions, methodologies, and modes of dissemination and translation is valued and encouraged. Candidates are invited to demonstrate their research impact both within and across academic disciplines and in other sectors, such as government, communities, or industry.

McGill further recognizes and fairly considers the impact of leaves (e.g., family care or health-related) that may contribute to career interruptions or slowdowns. Candidates are encouraged to signal any leave that affected productivity, or that may have had an effect on their career path. This information will be considered to ensure the equitable assessment of the candidate’s record.

McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated equity groups to self-identify. It further seeks to ensure the equitable treatment and full inclusion of persons with disabilities by striving for the implementation of universal design principles transversally, across all facets of the University community, and through accommodation policies and procedures. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.