Assistant Veterinary Specialist

University of Arizona; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Arizona seeks an Assistant Veterinary Specialist to lead clinical care for a range of laboratory and agricultural animal models used in research and teaching. The role includes training staff, advising on animal model selection, and overseeing animal facilities with regulatory support.

The position participates in IACUC reviews, departmental leadership, and scholarly activities, while supporting compliance and facility management in a continuing-eligible, full-time role.

Qualifications

• Must hold DVM or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• Completion of a training program in laboratory animal medicine OR 3 years experience in laboratory animal medicine.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical care for contemporary laboratory and agricultural animals with support from veterinarians and staff.
• Train researchers in technical procedures and model development.
• Support centralized animal facilities and coordinate clinical rounds and on-call schedules.

Skills

Laboratory animal medicine

Leadership & training

IACUC knowledge

Education

DVM or equivalent AVMA-accredited

Lab animal medicine training or 3 years experience

Valid driver’s license

Job description

Assistant Veterinary Specialist

Position Highlights

This is a Continuing-Eligible position at the Assistant Veterinary Specialist faculty rank. The incumbent reports to the Director and participates in the preventive health care and clinical veterinary medicine programs for a wide variety of contemporary laboratory and agricultural species used in research and teaching common to a land grant institution. The incumbent also: participates in training related to animal care and use; oversees assigned animal facilities; consults with investigators on animal model selection, anesthetic/analgesic regimens, and IACUC protocol development; performs primary or veterinary review of IACUC protocols; provides UAC representation on University committee(s) relevant to the animal care and use program; participates in veterinary student and ACLAM resident instruction; and contributes to departmental leadership participating to management decisions, university service, teaching and research.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Must have a valid driver's license and ability to drive according to the University Fleet Safety Policy.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please.

Duties & Responsibilities

Clinical Medicine and Research Support

• Provide clinical care for contemporary laboratory and agricultural animals, with assistance from other UAC veterinarians and technical staff.
• Participate in training of researchers in technical procedures (compound administration, surgery, novel model development).
• Provide veterinary and researcher support for one (or more) centralized animal facility.
• Perform clinical rounds and serve on the emergency on-call rotation for weekends, evenings, and holidays.
• Assist with coordination of clinical rounds and emergency on-call schedules for provision of veterinary care.
• Maintain, update and approve SOPs pertinent to clinical care and husbandry activities.
• Participate in the large animal experimental surgery, agricultural program support, and other UAC programs as needed.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with members of the UAC user group to ensure their animal research support needs are met.
• Assist investigators with selection of animal models, development of humane research methods or techniques, or other issues that affect the conduct of the research, testing, or educational programs which involve the use of animals.
• Provide training related to animal care and use as appropriate.

IACUC and Investigator Support

• Serve as a veterinary reviewer for IACUC protocols.
• Assist investigators with selection of animal models, development of humane research methods or techniques, and other issues that affect the conduct of the research, testing, or educational programs which involve the use of vertebrate animals.

Departmental Management

• Provide veterinary leadership for one or more centralized animal facilities.
• Participate in the UAC Management Team.
• Participate in document preparation and site visits for AAALAC accreditation and other regulatory agencies.
• Provide direction to veterinary and husbandry technical staff and students.

Service, Teaching, and Research/Scholarly Activities

• Participate in departmental, university and professional service, which may take many forms.
• Participate in UAC seminars, AALAS certification training, technical training of investigators and students, veterinary student clinical rotations, and ACLAM residents. Pursue scholarly activities that build upon professional and scientific interests and areas of expertise, to include independent or collaborative research.

Minimum Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or equivalent from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• Completion of a training program in laboratory animal medicine OR 3 years experience in laboratory animal medicine.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Board certification by ACLAM/ECLAM or another applicable AVMA-recognized specialty, OR experience commensurate with ACLAM/ECLAM board-eligibility.
• Advanced degree (MS, MPH, PhD) in laboratory animal-related field.
• Experience with management, clinical, and peri-operative care of rodent, large animal, and nontraditional laboratory animal species models.
• Experience with training students and research staff and/or performance of biomethodologies including rodent technical procedures/surgery and large animal anesthesia/perioperative care.

Tenure Information

Continuing-Eligible (CE)

FLSA

Exempt

Full Time/Part Time

Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week

40

Job FTE

1.0

Work Calendar

Fiscal

Job Category

Faculty

Benefits Eligible

Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay

DOE

Compensation Type

salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required

Fingerprint criminal background check (security sensitive due to job duties)

Number of Vacancies

1

Contact Information for Candidates

Kathryn O'Connell I [e-mail]

Open Date

11/4/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Documents Needed to Apply

Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter

Special Instructions to Applicant

• Candidate must have full licensure to practice within one state.
• Candidate must be willing and eligible to obtain USDA accreditation, DEA registration, and licensure to practice in Arizona upon employment.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures. Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at [e-mail].