Research Scientist 8, Director of Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM), New York Psychiatri[...]

New York State; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York State Psychiatric Institute is seeking a Clinical Veterinarian to lead the Division of Comparative Medicine. This leadership role requires comprehensive veterinary care, compliance oversight, and collaborative research efforts, ensuring high standards in animal welfare and education in a dynamic academic environment.

Qualifications

• Veterinary degree from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• Current veterinary license in New York; USDA NVAP Category II certification.
• Experience in veterinary clinical and emergency care, animal research.

Responsibilities

• Provide medical and surgical care to animals, including rodents and non-human primates.
• Oversee disease prevention programs and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Instruct staff on clinical skills and contribute to educational program design.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication

Leadership

Multitasking

Education

Veterinary degree (DVM/VMD)

ACLAM certification

Tools

Animal management software

Job description

Duties Description The Department of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center / New York State Psychiatric Institute / NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is hiring a Clinical Veterinarian to serve as the Director of the Division of Comparative Medicine. This position involves responsibility for all DCM operations at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. The individual will lead a multidisciplinary team managing the animal care facility, ensuring compliance with standards and regulations set by the institution, state and federal agencies, PHS policy, and accreditation bodies, promoting humane treatment of animals. The DCM Director will work closely with research scientists and staff to ensure collaborative efforts in providing outstanding veterinary care and research programs.

Veterinary Care Responsibilities :

• Animal Care : Provide comprehensive medical and surgical care to various animal species, including rodents (rats and mice) and non-human primates. Responsibilities include diagnosis, treatment, developing clinical programs for surgical cases, creating perioperative care plans, and establishing anesthesia, analgesia, and euthanasia protocols.
• Disease Prevention : Oversee programs to prevent disease spread in rodent colonies through sentinel monitoring, vendor compliance, quarantine, and rederivation protocols. Manage imports, respond to outbreaks, and maintain biosecurity standards.
• Emergency Response : Address urgent medical situations, providing timely interventions for acute health issues.

Research Responsibilities :

• Collaborative Research : Assist with interdisciplinary projects, animal model development, surgical planning, bioimaging, and data interpretation. Attend research meetings to support model development, optimize procedures, interpret data, and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Regulatory Compliance : Ensure research adheres to ethical and regulatory standards. Guide investigators on IACUC protocols, perform veterinary consultations, review protocols, and oversee inspections and compliance monitoring.
• Training : Develop training materials, conduct hands-on training for staff and investigators, and support animal model development and study conduct.

Educational Responsibilities :

• Teaching : Instruct staff and researchers in clinical skills, animal care, and research methodologies.
• Curriculum Development : Contribute to educational program design and updates, ensuring content reflects current veterinary and laboratory animal science advancements.
• Continuing Education : Stay current with veterinary developments and incorporate new knowledge into practice and teaching.

Administrative Responsibilities :

• Compliance Oversight : Serve on IACUC, review research protocols, and oversee facility standards with the Facility Manager.
• Policy Development : Assist in creating policies related to animal care, research, and education.
• Hiring : Ensure appropriate staffing in collaboration with leadership.
• Human Resource Management : Lead staff recruitment, training, performance management, and professional development initiatives.
• Budget : Manage departmental budget aligned with research needs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Veterinary degree (DVM/VMD) from an AVMA-accredited institution; ACLAM certification required. ACLAM-eligible candidates with advanced degrees and extensive experience may be considered.
• Current veterinary license in New York; USDA NVAP Category II certification.
• Experience in veterinary clinical and emergency care, animal research, and in vivo bio methodology within an academic or research setting.
• Strong analytical, communication, and multitasking skills; experience working with senior leadership; proven leadership in managing budgets and resources; excellent interpersonal skills and commitment to excellence.

Preferred Qualifications :

• 10+ years leadership and managerial experience in an academic research setting using animals.
• 5+ years in academic leadership, faculty mentoring, and interdisciplinary development.
• Experience with AAALAC accreditation, NY State Department of Health, USDA inspections.
• Vision for advancing biomedical research; prior experience in academia and research training (MS, PhD, MPH); nonhuman primate experience is desirable.
• Experience with animal management software.