Research Program Manager

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Research Program Manager (B) to oversee the day-to-day management of the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) nonhuman primate colony and related programs. You will collaborate with veterinary, research support, and facilities staff to ensure safe, compliant operations and quality animal resources for investigators.

Responsibilities include developing and implementing colony, budgeting, and SOPs, supervising multiple FTE staff, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience overseeing colony management programs, including breeding strategies, population planning, pedigree management, and census reporting.
• Experience developing and monitoring departmental budgets, forecasting resource needs, and managing contracts or vendor relationships.
• Experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and quality assurance programs for animal care and research support operations.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information
• Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives
• Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program
• Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures
• Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives
• Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims
• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

Skills

Colony management

Breeding strategies

Budget forecasting

SOP development

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Research Program Manager (B)

Job Summary:

The successful applicant for this position will assist in the management of the various components of a nonhuman primate colony that consists of approximately 1600 individual animals of three species (Macaca mulatta, Macaca fascicularis, and Callithrix jacchus) that are housed in four separate buildings at the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC). These components include the animal husbandry program, the colony management program, the research support program, environmental enhancement program, the facilities maintenance program, and the animal care personnel management program.

Under the direction of the WNPRC Attending Veterinarian and Associate Director of the Animal Services Division (ASD), the successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the entire nonhuman primate husbandry program of the WNPRC. Working closely with their supervisor, the Colony Services Unit Head (CSUH) will administer a program of colony management that maintains the breeding colonies of the WNPRC and provides quality animals for the scientific projects of the Center's investigators. In collaboration with veterinary and research support staff, the CSUH will provide support for the major research programs housed at the Center. Additionally, the CSUH will collaborate with the Behavioral Services Unit to ensure execution of the Center's environmental enrichment plan. The CSUH will work closely with the WNPRC Facilities Manager and the Compliance Manager to ensure that the holding and support facilities are maintained within regulatory guidelines and to provide a safe environment for the animals and all personnel working directly with Center animals. Finally, the CSUH, in coordination with the five CSU Animal Care Managers, will assist in the performance evaluation process of all animal care personnel.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Assists in the development, coordination, and facilitation of trainings and workshops for internal and external audiences to disseminate research program developments and information

• Plans and directs the day-to-day operational activities of one or multiple research programs or units according to established research objectives in alignment with strategic plans and initiatives

• Develops policies, procedures, and institutional agreements on behalf of the program

• Monitors program budget(s) and approves unit expenditures

• Serves as a unit liaison and subject matter expert among internal and external stakeholder groups, collaborates across disciplines and functional areas, provides program information, and promotes the accomplishments and developments of scholars and research initiatives

• Plans, develops, and implements processes and protocols to support research aims

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

Department: UWMSN | OVCR | WNPRC Veterinary Services

Compensation: Negotiable (Annual)

Required Qualifications:

For candidates with a relevant BA/BS degree, a minimum of four years' demonstrated experience managing or assisting in the management of a large nonhuman primate (NHP) colony is required to qualify for consideration for this position. For candidates without a BA/BS degree, a minimum of eight years' demonstrated experience managing a large NHP colony is required, as well as certification at any level by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).

The qualified candidate will also possess extensive experience performing animal husbandry and biomedical research support for a captive colony of nonhuman primates. Experience supervising, communicating with and motivating a large staff of animal care technicians is a necessity. An ability to lead, make difficult decisions and implement them while developing a strong sense of teamwork is essential. Knowledge of biomedical and behavioral research, excellent computing skills, and strong commitment to animals and their well-being are also required for this position. Detailed knowledge of research procedures and animal welfare regulations and solid administrative abilities are also expected.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience overseeing colony management programs, including breeding strategies, population planning, pedigree management, and census reporting.

• Experience developing and monitoring departmental budgets, forecasting resource needs, and managing contracts or vendor relationships.

• Experience developing standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies, and quality assurance programs for animal care and research support operations.

• Experience with AAALAC accreditation visits and regulatory inspections (e.g., USDA, IACUC, etc.)

• Certified Manager of Animal Resources (CMAR) certification completed or currently in progress.

• Previous employment at a National Primate Research Center or major academic biomedical research institution

Education:

Preferred

Bachelor's Degree

BA/BS in biological sciences or related field strongly preferred.

Physical Demands:

• Standing - Frequently

• Walking - Frequently

• Sitting - Frequently

• Lifting - Frequently 10-60 lbs

• Carrying - Frequently 10-60 lbs

• Pushing - Frequently 60-1200 lbs

• Pulling - Frequently 60-1200 lbs

Work Environment:

• Extreme Heat

• Humid

• Wet

• Noise

• Hazards

Additional Information:

• Applicant must be comfortable working with nonhuman primates, infectious pathogens and other biohazards, and chemicals/medications in a medical research setting, and wearing various required personal protective equipment (PPE).

• Must be TB negative

• Applicant will be required to have a measles titer within the first week of employment. Depending on the results of the blood test, applicant may need to be immunized.

• Allergies to animals must be controlled by medication

• This is considered an essential position and, as such, applicant must be willing to fulfill the duties of the position.

• Employees are expected to act in the best interest of the University and to protect the University from both actual conflicts of interest and the appearance of conflicts of interest.

• Must possess a valid driver's license that meets standards of UW Risk Management in order to operate WNPRC vehicles

• A one-year period of evaluation will be required.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (I.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

The WNPRC is one of seven federally supported National Primate Research Centers and the only one in the Midwest. WNPRC's mission is to increase the understanding of basic primate biology and to improve human health and quality of life through research. To accomplish this, the WNPRC helps discover treatments, preventions and cures for human disease; generates new knowledge of primate biology, from the molecular and whole animal levels to the understanding of primate ecosystems; facilitates research progress by providing expertise, resources and training to scientists worldwide; and collects primate information and disseminates to the research community and to the public.

Based in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) of the University of Wisconsin- Madison (UW-Madison), the WNPRC is committed to diversity both as an end in itself, but also as a valuable means for eliminating health disparities through research.