Director: SU Animal Research Facilities and Experimental Animal Veterinarian

Director: SU Animal Research Facilities and Experimental Animal Veterinarian

• Type of engagement: Permanent appointment

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and Faculty of Science

Ref. TGB11/080/0425

This is a shared position between the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (Tygerberg Campus) and the Faculty of Science at Stellenbosch University.

At Stellenbosch University (SU), we place high value on the ethical use of, and performance of research on animals, with the welfare of the animals being the main consideration. At the ARF our researchers do research, inter alia, for the identification of the root causes of various diseases in humans and animals and for exploring treatment options. This takes place under the auspices of the Research Ethics Committee: Animal Care and Use (REC: ACU), in full compliance with the requirements of the South African Veterinary Council (SAVC), South African National Standards (SANS), National Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD), Research Ethics Committee: Biological and Environmental Safety (REC:BES) and the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), and must be approved by the REC:ACU committee before the research may commence. According to legislation, all invasive animal research, as well as the facilities for such research, must be supervised by a SAVC registered veterinarian.

Stellenbosch University is looking for a SAVC registered veterinarian to head the SU Animal Research Facilities to ensure the maintenance of appropriate standards (including animal health and wellbeing, scientific, veterinary, health and safety, and service provision) and regulatory compliance related to the care and use of animals at the Faculties of Science and Medicine and Health Sciences. Staff and students who will perform invasive procedures during their research must be trained, certified and supervised by the veterinarian, while surgical and advanced euthanasia procedures must be performed by the veterinarian personally. In addition, all Animal Research Facilities need to be registered under the name of a registered veterinarian, appointed on the staff of the institution. The incumbent will report to the Vice Dean: Research and Internationalisation at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences for 80% of their time, and the Director: Faculty Management at the Faculty of Science.

The incumbent will act as principal of all the Animal Research Facilities of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Faculty of Science, in terms of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act and the Rules Relating to the Practising of Veterinary Professions.

Duties:

• Managing the strategic planning and annual budgeting of the Facilities.
• Developing relevant policies, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures for animal research in consultation with the REC: ACU.
• Ensuring that the Facilities comply with SAVC, SANS, DALLRD, REC:BES, REC:ACU, and NSPCA requirements.
• Acting as line manager of the Facility’s staff members.
• Serving on the REC: ACU of Stellenbosch University and ensuring the implementation of decisions of the REC: ACU with regards to animal research and teaching at SU.
• Training and supervising staff and students in the care and use of experimental animals in terms of Section 23 of the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act.
• Ensuring, in compliance with Section 23(1) (C) of the Veterinary Act, that only people with the correct Section 23(1) (C) authorisation carry out procedures specific to the veterinary profession.
• Facilitating and maintaining SAVC authorisations of staff/students.
• Managing the H&S programme and maintaining an animal health and welfare programme.
• Performing veterinary procedures as required.
• Providing expert opinion to researchers on the design and execution of animal research.
• Developing, planning and executing relevant workshops and short courses in experimental animal research.
• Ensuring that anaesthesia and surgery be performed by competent professional staff with appropriate training and experience, and ensuring that relevant veterinary services are available at all times during animal research and training.
• Providing oversight and legal compliance in terms of scheduled drugs.
• Monitoring, inspecting and assessing the acquisition, transportation, production, housing, care, use and disposal of animals at the Facilities.

In addition to the above, the incumbent could be provided with the opportunity to become involved in and execute autonomous research, supervise students, and publish in peer-reviewed journals for around 20% of their time to ensure the necessary skills and expertise to effectively and knowledgeably engage with research and other researchers, if they so wish. Awarding of academic rank could be considered for the incumbent who has an established academic record and who would like to be involved in academic research and postgraduate degree training.

Inherent Criteria

Requirements:

• BVSc degree, or BVMCh, or equivalent professional veterinary qualification.
• A postgraduate qualification in any field.
• Registration with the SAVC for independent practice as a veterinarian.
• Three or more years’ recent clinical experience.
• Experience in staff management.
• Proven subject knowledge of small animal medicine and surgery.
• Experience in teaching/demonstrating technical skills.
• Good written and verbal language and communication skills in English.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in the use of computers (e.g. MS Word, MS Excel and the internet).

Recommendations:

• Evidence of previous academic activities (research publications, student supervision, conference attendance).
• Experience in animal research, especially at a tertiary teaching institution.

Application Requirement

Enquiries regarding this post: Prof Nico Gey van Pittius on 021 938 9098, or at researchfhs@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding remuneration/benefits, as well as technical assistance with the electronic application process: Human Resources Client Services Centre on 021 808 2753 (Stellenbosch) / 021 938 9636 (Tygerberg), or at sun-e-hr@sun.ac.za

About Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) is home to an academic community of 29 000 students (including 4 000 foreign students from 100 countries) as well as 3 000 permanent staff members (including 1 000 academics) on five campuses. The historical oak-lined university town amongst the Boland Mountains in the winelands of the Western Cape creates a unique campus atmosphere, which attracts local and foreign students alike. On the main campus, paved walkways wind between campus buildings – some dating from previous centuries; others just a few years old. Architecture from various eras attests to the sound academic foundation and establishment of an institution of excellence. This, together with the scenic beauty of the area; state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly facilities and technology, as well as visionary thinking about the creation of a sustainable 21st-century institution, makes for the unique character of Stellenbosch University.