Manager, Research Vivarium

ADP, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Monell is seeking a Manager, Research Vivarium Operations & Compliance to lead the IACUC program and provide strategic oversight of the vivarium, ensuring compliant, funded, and well-supported animal research.

The role collaborates with investigators, the IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian, and sponsored research to plan, approve, and fund studies, while supervising the Assistant Vivarium Manager and guiding long-term operational planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
• AAALAS certification.
• Experience with lab animal research or vivarium management.
• Strong IACUC administration knowledge.
• Experience with budgeting or grant budgets.
• Leadership and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead IACUC program including protocol reviews, amendments, renewals, and meetings.
• Serve as resource for investigators developing animal research protocols.
• Coordinate with IACUC Chair, Attending Veterinarian, and research teams.
• Maintain compliance with regulations and accreditation standards.
• Oversee vivarium budget and financial performance.
• Direct supervision of the Assistant Vivarium Manager.
• Establish priorities for vivarium operations and address escalation of concerns.

Skills

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

IACUC administration

Budgeting

Communication

Project management

Investigators collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in animal science or related field

Job description

Manager, Research Vivarium Operations & Compliance

The Manager, Research Vivarium Operations & Compliance serves as the institutional lead for Monell’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) program and provides strategic oversight of the research vivarium, including compliance, investigator support, financial performance, and long-term operational planning.

This role works closely with Principal Investigators, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), Attending Veterinarian, Sponsored Research, Finance, and Institutional Operations to ensure animal research is appropriately planned, approved, funded, and supported.The Manager directly supervises the Assistant Vivarium Manager, who oversees the Vivarium’s day-to-day operations. This position is primarily focused on strategic, regulatory, scientific, and financial leadership.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, laboratory animal science, biology, veterinary technology, research administration, or a related field or equivalent experience.
• Current American Association for Laboratory Animal Science certification.
• Significant experience in laboratory animal research or vivarium management.
• Strong knowledge of Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) administration and animal research compliance.
• Experience working with investigators and animal research protocols.
• Experience with budgeting, financial oversight, or grant-supported research.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and project-management skills.

Preferred

• Experience leading or administering an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) program.
• Previous supervisory or program-management experience.

Key Responsibilities

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) & Compliance

• Lead the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) program, including protocol review, amendments, renewals, meetings, documentation, and follow-up.
• Serve as a primary resource for investigators developing or modifying animal research protocols.
• Coordinate closely with the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chair, Attending Veterinarian, committee members, and research teams.
• Maintain compliance with applicable animal research regulations, institutional policies, and accreditation standards.
• Support inspections, audits, program reviews, and development of animal research policies and procedures.
• Partner with investigators on new and ongoing animal research projects.
• Evaluate proposed studies for operational feasibility, space, staffing, equipment, animal census, and facility needs.
• Support project planning, protocol timelines, and implementation of approved research.
• Help identify research, compliance, and operational needs early in the planning process.

Financial & Grant Oversight

• Oversee the vivarium operating budget and monitor financial performance.
• Track the financial status of research and grant-funded projects within the facility.
• Assist investigators and Sponsored Research with vivarium-related grant budgets and cost estimates.
• Support development and review of per diem, service, and recharge rates.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, cost recovery, and long-term financial sustainability.

Strategic & Operational Leadership

• Provide strategic direction for vivarium staffing, capacity, technology, equipment, and future research needs.
• Directly supervise and support the Assistant Vivarium Manager.
• Establish priorities and performance expectations for vivarium operations while allowing the Assistant Manager to lead routine day-to-day activities.
• Serve as an escalation point for significant compliance, research, operational, or animal welfare concerns.

Monell provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.