Animal Program Compliance Specialist

Scripps Research Translational Institute; San Diego, Northern (CA, KY); On-site; USD 106,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer contributed retirement plan

Health and welfare plans

Flexible Spending Accounts

Vacation and sick leave

Free on-site parking

Job summary

Scripps Research Institute seeks an Animal Program Compliance Specialist to design and oversee a comprehensive PAM program ensuring ongoing regulatory compliance for animal research. You will consult investigators and the IACUC on requirements and best practices, reporting to the Director of the IACUC Office and collaborating across departments.

The ideal candidate has deep regulatory fluency, strategic thinking, and the ability to build strong relationships in a research-intensive environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology or a sciences field.
• 5–7 years of regulatory compliance administration and/or laboratory animal experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal regulations, PHS Policy, USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, and AAALAC standards.
• Proven ability to interpret and apply regulatory requirements.
• CPIA, LATG, LAT, or ALAT certification preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication; build credible relationships.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and improve the post-approval monitoring program with tracking and corrective actions.
• Conduct onsite compliance assessments and lead semiannual facility inspections.
• Advise investigators and IACUC on regulations and standards; represent during inspections.
• Review IACUC protocols and amendments; maintain documentation for audits.
• Collaborate with Animal Resources to deliver training and outreach; mentor staff.
• Contribute to policy development and identify process improvements and new technologies.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

Post-approval monitoring

IACUC program management

Federal regulations familiarity

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Electronic protocol management systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology

Tools

Electronic protocol management systems

Job description

The Animal Program Compliance Specialist is a key member of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Program, responsible for designing and overseeing a comprehensive post-approval monitoring (PAM) program that ensures ongoing compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations governing animal research. This position serves as a subject matter expert on animal research compliance, providing consultation and guidance to investigators, research staff, and the IACUC on regulatory requirements and best practices.

Reporting to the Director of the IACUC Office, this role works collaboratively with the IACUC, the Department of Animal Resources, and the research community to promote a culture of compliance, animal welfare, and scientific integrity. The position plays an active role in shaping programmatic policy, delivering compliance education, and serving as a trusted compliance partner to faculty and principal investigators. The ideal candidate brings a strategic mindset, deep regulatory fluency, and the ability to build credible relationships across a research-intensive environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Design, implement, and continuously improve the post-approval monitoring program, including systems for tracking monitoring activities, findings, corrective actions, and follow-up.
• Conduct onsite laboratory compliance assessments and lead semiannual facility inspections; investigate non-compliance, adverse events, and animal welfare concerns and prepare findings and corrective action plans for IACUC review.
• Advise investigators, research staff, and the IACUC on federal regulations, PHS Policy, USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, and AAALAC standards; represent the institution during regulatory inspections and accreditation visits.
• Perform administrative and regulatory review of IACUC protocols and amendments across the lifecycle, including grant congruence, and maintain documentation supporting audits and institutional reporting.
• Serve as a trusted compliance partner to faculty and PIs; collaborate with the Department of Animal Resources to deliver training and outreach, and mentor IACUC staff and committee members.
• Contribute to program strategy, develop institutional policies and SOPs, and identify process improvements and new technologies, including AI-enabled tools, that strengthen compliance.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in biology or another science field required.
• 5–7 years of regulatory compliance administration and/or laboratory animal experience, with demonstrated expertise in post-approval monitoring or IACUC program management.
• Well-versed in federal regulations, PHS Policy, USDA Animal Welfare Regulations, and AAALAC International standards; able to provide authoritative guidance on regulatory interpretation and application.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated ability to build credible working relationships with faculty, administration, and research staff.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; able to manage multiple priorities, design program systems, and present data-driven recommendations to leadership.
• Proficiency with electronic protocol management systems; familiarity with process improvement methodologies and emerging compliance technologies preferred.
• CPIA, LATG, LAT, or ALAT certification preferred.
• Familiarity with IACUC semiannual inspections, USDA inspections, and AAALAC accreditation processes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

With or without reasonable accommodation, employees must be able to lift and handle equipment or materials up to 20 lbs and perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists, and hands. The role may involve use of personal protective equipment (PPE), exposure to biohazardous materials, extended stationary periods, traversing campus as needed, operation of standard office equipment, and exposure to varying temperatures.

COMPENSATION:

The expected salary range for this position is $105,900 to $117,000, commensurate with experience. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Employer Contributed Retirement Plan – Depending on eligibility, employees receive an employer contributed retirement plan (no employee contribution required) and the option to contribute to a 403(b) (which is similar to a 401(k) using your own pre or post-tax dollars)
• Full Suite of Health and Welfare plans including three medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more
• Access to Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical/Dependent Care)
• Competitive vacation and sick leave policies
• Free, on-site parking

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment-at-will status of Scripps Research staff.

EEO Statement:
The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.

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Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.