Comparative Medicine Manager

Vertex Pharmaceuticals; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vertex Pharmaceuticals in San Diego leads the vivarium operations and IACUC management for the site, coordinating animal procurement, training, and policy development to ensure high welfare standards. The role partners with research teams and global stakeholders to drive compliance and continuous improvement in animal care and study support.

The candidate will oversee day-to-day vivarium activities, provide technical support for in vivo studies, and help harmonize processes across locations,

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, life sciences, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• Experience with IACUC processes and animal welfare regulations.
• Experience developing SOPs, policies, training materials, and procedural documentation.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional projects and working with global stakeholders is preferred.
• AALAS certification (LATg), ILAM and/or CPIA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate vivarium operations and IACUC processes.
• Oversee animal procurement and study support.
• Develop and implement IACUC policies, SOPs, and training materials.
• Provide training and onboarding for in vivo users.
• Collaborate with global teams to harmonize processes across sites.
• Ensure compliance with institutional policies and regulations and promote animal welfare.
• Monitor operational workflows and troubleshoot issues impacting in vivo studies.

Skills

Hands-on support

Project management

Communication skills

Cross-functional collab

Training delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in animal science

Master's degree preferred

Job description

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