Comparative Medicine Manager

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 113,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex is seeking a Comparative Medicine Manager, Vivarium Operations in San Diego to lead day-to-day vivarium activities, including animal procurement, IACUC support, and training. You will serve as a key liaison to global teams, ensuring compliance and high welfare standards across sites.

The role requires aBachelor’s in a life sciences field and experience with vivarium operations and IACUC processes; a master’s degree and certifications are preferred, with hybrid but primarily on-site work

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field required.
• A master’s degree in a relevant scientific or operational discipline is preferred.
• Experience supporting vivarium operations, laboratory animal research, or in vivo study execution.
• Experience with IACUC processes, animal welfare regulations, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation.
• Experience training technical users and supporting onboarding in a research environment preferred.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred.
• AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day vivarium operations at the San Diego site, ensuring compliant research support.
• Oversee animal procurement and coordination of IACUC-related activities.
• Provide technical support for animal studies and assist with study planning and execution.
• Develop and maintain training content, SOPs, and compliance materials.
• Partner with global teams to harmonize processes across sites and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Hands-on support for in vivo studies

Organizational & project management

Excellent written & verbal comms

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Global coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

AALAS LATg

ILAM

CPIA

Job description

General Summary

The Comparative Medicine Manager, Vivarium Operations is responsible for leading, supporting, and coordinating key aspects of the San Diego Research Site Vivarium and IACUC operations/management, with a primary focus on maintaining the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium. This role serves as a critical partner to research teams by overseeing animal procurement, supporting IACUC-related processes, providing technical expertise for animal studies, and ensuring in vivo users are appropriately trained and onboarded. This person would serve as the Global Comparative Medicine liaison for San Diego.

Job Description

General Summary

The Comparative Medicine Manager, Vivarium Operations is responsible for leading, supporting, and coordinating key aspects of the San Diego Research Site Vivarium and IACUC operations/management, with a primary focus on maintaining the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium. This role serves as a critical partner to research teams by overseeing animal procurement, supporting IACUC-related processes, providing technical expertise for animal studies, and ensuring in vivo users are appropriately trained and onboarded. This person would serve as the Global Comparative Medicine liaison for San Diego.

The position also plays a central role in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of IACUC policies, guidelines, SOPs, and training materials to promote compliance, operational excellence, and high standards of animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities

Vivarium Operations

• Support and help maintain the day-to-day operations of the San Diego vivarium to ensure efficient, compliant, and uninterrupted research support.
• Management of contract personnel for San Diego vivarium.
• Management of Vertex activities at contracted site for Seattle.
• Work across sites for harmonization of processes as applicable.
• Partner with internal stakeholders and vivarium staff to identify operational needs and implement process improvements.
• Monitor operational workflows to ensure alignment with institutional, regulatory, and animal welfare standards in accordance with local guidelines.
• Provide weekend support as needed.

Global Animal Procurement

• Coordinate global animal procurement activities to ensure timely and reliable sourcing of animals for research programs.
• Collaborate with internal research teams, vendors, and external partners to support study timelines and business needs.
• Track procurement logistics and resolve issues related to supply, scheduling, or study support.

IACUC Support and Compliance

• Assist with IACUC management activities, including protocol-related support, documentation, and coordination with internal stakeholders.
• Contribute to the development, revision, and implementation of IACUC policies, guidelines, and SOPs.
• Help ensure vivarium and in vivo activities are conducted in compliance with institutional policies and applicable regulations.
• Support inspection readiness and corrective actions as needed.

Technical Support for Animal Studies

• Oversee technical support for animal studies and serve as a resource to in vivo users and project teams.
• Assist with study planning and execution by offering operational/technical support.
• Troubleshoot technical or operational issues that may impact in vivo research activities.

Training and Onboarding

• Work with Global Trainer on providing technical training to in vivo users to ensure safe, effective, and compliant conduct of animal studies.
• Assist in the onboarding of new in vivo users, including orientation to vivarium procedures, expectations, and required training.
• Work with Global Trainer to develop and maintain training content related to vivarium operations, animal procedures, and compliance requirements.
• Promote best practices in animal care, handling, documentation, and study conduct.

Documentation and Continuous Improvement

• Develop, update, and maintain training documentation, SOPs, guidance documents, and other controlled content.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, user experience, and compliance processes across vivarium activities.
• Support standardization of practices across local and global vivarium-related functions where applicable.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field required.
• A master’s degree in a relevant scientific or operational discipline is preferred.
• Experience supporting vivarium operations, laboratory animal research, or in vivo study execution.
• Experience with IACUC processes, animal welfare regulations, and related compliance requirements.
• Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation.
• Experience training technical users and supporting onboarding in a research environment preferred.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred.
• AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.

Preferred Attributes, Skills, And Abilities

• Ability to provide hands‑on and technical support for in vivo studies.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to develop clear, effective, and compliant policies, SOPs, guidelines, and training content.
• Strong collaboration skills with the ability to work effectively across scientific, operational, and compliance teams.
• Detail‑oriented with a commitment to quality, animal welfare, and operational excellence.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a fast‑paced, matrixed, and collaborative research environment.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and a proactive approach to operational challenges.
• Ability to influence and support adoption of best practices across in vivo users and stakeholders.
• Global mindset with the ability to coordinate across sites, functions, and external partners.

At Vertex, we embrace continuous learning and encourage employees to stay informed on advances in AI, technology, automation, and industry trends. We seek talent who bring an external perspective, demonstrate curiosity and sound judgment, and thoughtfully adopt new capabilities that improve decision‑making, drive innovation, increase efficiency, and help deliver better outcomes for patients.

Pay Range

$113,400 - $170,000

Disclosure Statement

The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, experience, and other job‑related factors permitted by law. At Vertex, our Total Rewards offerings also include inclusive market‑leading benefits to meet our employees wherever they are in their career, financial, family and wellbeing journey while providing flexibility and resources to support their growth and aspirations. From medical, dental and vision benefits to generous paid time off (including a week‑long company shutdown in the Summer and the Winter), educational assistance programs including student loan repayment, a generous commuting subsidy, matching charitable donations, 401(k) and so much more.

Flex Designation

Hybrid-Eligible Or On‑Site Eligible

Flex Eligibility Status

• Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
• On‑Site: work five days per week on‑site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertex’s Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non‑discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a person’s race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, age, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, marital status, or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E‑Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law. Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager, or contact Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]