Position Overview

The Director of the CAC office will work closely with the CAC Chair and CAC Program Manager to ensure the effective and efficient operation of MIT’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) office.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities (Essential Functions**)

Serve as an alternate to the Chair, and a scientific member on the committee. Conduct protocol reviews and site visits of vivaria and laboratories, at times to meet tight deadlines. Participate on behalf of the Chair as needed in announced and unannounced site visits from outside oversight agencies (i.e. USDA, NIH, DOD, Cambridge Commissioner, AAALAC), including in the preparation for and response to these visits.
Develop an excellent working relationship with faculty and research staff to assist with regulatory compliance. Maintain a high level of service to the research community by taking part in outreach activities to the MIT research community on behalf of the CAC chair, with a focus on educating the community about regulatory requirements, best practices, and upcoming changes in a proactive and collaborative manner.
Take primary responsibility for tracking metrics within the CAC office, including incoming protocol work volume and time for approval for protocol submissions. Follow up with reviewers and staff as needed to facilitate the timely review of protocols and other documents.
Keep apprised of changes in regulatory requirements, and of changes within the research environment at MIT (i.e. New species, novel types of work/methods, shifts in the nature of the animal program, etc.). Proactively identify the need to update and develop new bylaws, policies, outreach documents, and programs as needed to address these changes, in collaboration with the CAC Chair, CAC Program Manager, the Attending Veterinarian, the Director of DCM, and MIT faculty and researchers.
Coordinate the onboarding of new CAC members, including training members how to conduct effective protocol reviews, and conducting periodic assessments of reviews to ensure that they are done properly.
Work with the CAC Program Manager and CAC staff, as needed, to prepare and submit documents required for routine and non-routine regulatory compliance. Serve as designated signatory for MOUs and IIAs from collaborating institutions when the Chair or a similar signature is appropriate, or facilitate signature of other representatives requested (Chair, IO).
Take a primary role in coordinating the investigation of any deviations from approved protocols or other reported concerns, including serving as chair of the Animal Welfare Subcommittee, conducting interviews with involved parties, and in collaboration with the Chair communicating outcomes to research PIs. Coordinate the preparation of reports for oversight agencies and other documents as required, in collaboration with the CAC Chair, CAC Program Manager, DCM Attending Veterinarian, Director of DCM, and IO.
Develop and oversee a suitable post-approval monitoring (PAM) program, in collaboration with the CAC Chair, CAC Program Manager, DCM Attending Veterinarian, and Director of DCM.
Maintain an excellent working relationship with DCM, and act as a bridge between DCM and the CAC as needed.
Complete other tasks on behalf of the CAC Chair in other matters as assigned.
Supervision Received

This position will report directly to the CAC Chair.

Supervision Exercised

Not applicable.

Qualifications & Skills

Min. Bachelor’s with 7 years animal research experience. Preference will be given to candidates with a Doctoral degree in a relevant discipline and experience in animal research in addition to

·                     Familiarity with the regulations and guidelines that govern animal research, preferably through 3+ years of direct experience working with an IACUC and/or formal training in IACUC administration.

·                     Training and certification as a certified professional in IACUC administration (CPIA), or a willingness to seek such training and certification within a year of appointment.

·                     Prior management (program and/or personnel) and/or leadership experience.

·                     Exemplary written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ease during telephone, text, email and in-person exchanges.

·                     Excellent professionalism and a customer service philosophy, with the ability to be diplomatic and patient yet clear during difficult conversations.

·                     Demonstrated ability to exercise discretion and good judgment in handling confidential information.

·                     Proven ability to work effectively as part of a team and to foster a collaborative environment.

·                     Ability to work with minimal supervision in a high-volume environment, overseeing and prioritizing multiple diverse tasks with attention to deadlines and detail.

Employment is contingent upon the completion of successful completion of a background check.

interested applicants can apply here at https://careers.peopleclick.com/careerscp/client_mit/external/jobDetails/jobDetail.html?jobPostId=30774&localeCode=en-us, questions can be directed to Keith Kun at kkun@mit.edu