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Application instructions are located at the bottom of the page.  Please apply directly through the University of Montana's career portal UM Jobs at https://umjobs.silkroad.com/_ _for positions at the University of Montana – Missoula, University of Montana Western (Dillon), and Helena College.  Do not apply through Indeed.com or use easy apply through Indeed.com*__.

The OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND CREATIVE SCHOLARSHIP invites applications for an INSTITUTIONAL ANIMAL CARE AND USE COMMITTEE (IACUC) MANAGER AND BIOSAFETY OFFICER to manage the oversight, administration, and coordination of IACUC policies, procedures, and activities related to the ethical use and welfare of animal research subjects. This employee will also ensure compliance with federal regulations and university policies related to research using animal subjects and maintaining a comprehensive biosafety program. This position will report to the Associate Vice President for Research Compliance and will also have expert knowledge and experience with the IACUC application and review process, including the ethical implications of scientific investigation. An intimate understanding of federal regulations pertaining to animal research is required. The IACUC Manager must successfully manage professional relationships with the university faculty, staff, and students as well as with federal agency officials.

The University of Montana is committed to ensuring an animal research program that observes the highest ethical standards and practices in the conduct of biomedical research. The university’s IACUC committee is comprised of experts in the fields of biomedical science and veterinary medicine, as well as non-scientist members. In 2021, the university’s animal research program received the highest level of accreditation possible, one of a handful in the world to receive recognition, from AAALAC, which is the leading non-profit organization for the promotion of the humane and responsible conduct of animal research.

The IACUC Manager’s responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Overseeing the daily operations and management of the university’s IACUC program.
• Tracking all IACUC protocol activity.
• Performing preliminary review and, under the oversight of the IACUC Chair and Institutional Official, organizing and distributing Animal Use Protocol (AUP) applications, amendments, and renewals for IACUC member review and approval.
• Handling and documenting issues of non-compliance (serious, continuing, or administrative), adverse events, and unanticipated problems.
• Escalating and engaging officials as appropriate.
• Working with faculty principal investigators on protocol consultations and preliminary AUP reviews.
• Working with the Chair and Associate Vice President to maintain a positive campus-wide reputation by ensuring high quality program reviews, consistency in protocol administration, stream-lined processing time, and proactive campus communication.
• Staying updated and communicating the in-depth knowledge of federal regulations pertinent to the ethical use of animal subjects in research.
• Advising the Chair, IACUC, and research community.
• Revising and regularly updating all IACUC forms and templates.
• Overseeing all IACUC recordkeeping (protocols, minutes, training, and correspondence).
• Reviewing and proposing revisions to IACUC policies and procedures, as needed, to comply with evolving federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Updating, maintaining, and creating all IACUC standard operating procedures (SOPs) in cooperation with the university veterinarian and facility manager.
• Coordinating and scheduling all IACUC meetings as well as writing agendas, preparing and distributing review materials, taking minutes, and following up on communication and correspondence resulting from the convened meetings.
• Maintaining and regularly updating IACUC website content.
• Administering the IACUC’s electronic application and the file submission portal and database.
• Preparing for and guiding semiannual faculty inspections, program reviews, and USDA inspections.
• Preparing annual reports to OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC.
• Supporting facility manager and staff operations (payroll and training.)

The Biosafety Officer will work with UM’s Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBS) to review all research and teaching activity by faculty, staff, and students that involves hazardous biological agents, toxins human cell lines, and recombinant or synthetic DNA molecules. The Biosafety Officer will work to ensure that all such activities are in compliance with external regulations and applicable UM policies. Biosafety Officer responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

• Scheduling and attending all quarterly IBC meetings.
• Performing preliminary review of new IBC applications.
• Coordinating substantive review by IBC Chair and committee.
• Serving as an informational and training resource to all faculty, staff, and students engaged in IBC submissions.
• Maintaining all IBC records, website content, and forms.
• Submitting the annual report to NIH Office of Biotechnology Activities.
• Scheduling and providing the annual bloodborne pathogen training.

Position Details

• This position is full-time, 1.0 FTE, MUS Contract Professional and includes a comprehensive and competitive BENEFITS PACKAGE including insurance package, mandatory retirement plan, partial tuition waiver, and wellness program.
• Salary for this position ranges from $65,000 to $80,000 per year and is commensurate with qualifications.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher in a biomedical sciences field and at least one (1) year of experience performing biomedical research in an academic setting or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methods achieved at this level.
• Ability to understand and competently review complex research protocols.
• Knowledge of and ability to use Microsoft Office Suite, Zoom, Adobe Acrobat and other common software packages.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Good oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Verified Professional in IACUC Administration (CPIA) certification.
• Two (2) years’ prior service as an IACUC and/or IBC committee member.
• Prior animal research experience.
• Prior academic biomedical research experience, especially experience working with biohazardous and/or infectious agents.
• Prior working experience with animal research administration software or SaaS modules (e.g., Cayuse).

About UM’s Office of Research and Creative Scholarship and UM

UM’s Office of Research and Creative Scholarship supports the educational and research mission of the University through advocacy and advancement of basic and applied research, creative work, and academic scholarship, and fosters an environment where research, scholarly activities, entrepreneurship, and economic development thrive.

The University of Montana is flagship, research institution with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is located in Missoula, a culturally vibrant community of about 75,000, surrounded by mountains and three rivers converge. Abundant recreational opportunities in surrounding state and national forests and nearby Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park complement a thriving intellectual atmosphere.  The University of Montana offers eligible employees a generous benefits package that positively separates UM from other local employers and offers many programs and policies to support work-life balance for its employees.

The University of Montana is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and has a strong institutional commitment to the principle of diversity in all areas. In that spirit, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who would assist the University in demonstrating its five priorities for action: Place student success at the center of all we do; drive excellence and innovation in teaching, learning, and research; embody the principle of “mission first, people always"; partner with place; and proudly tell the UM story.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF MONTANA, MISSOULA, AND THE STATE OF MONTANA, PLEASE VISIT THE LINKS BELOW.

University of Montana

• Video: Mission First, People Always
• UM on YouTube

City of Missoula

• Video: There's This Place
• Destination Missoula
• Missoula Area Chamber of Commerce

The State of Montana

• Visit Montana

Criminal Background Investigation is required prior to the Offer of Employment In accordance with University regulations, finalists for this position will be subject to criminal background investigations. ADA/EOE/AA/VETERAN'S PREFERENCE Reasonable accommodations are provided in the hiring process for persons with disabilities. For example, this material is available in alternative format upon request. As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans, and women. Qualified candidates may request veterans’ or disabilities preference in accordance with state law. REFERENCES: References not listed on the application materials may be contacted; notice may be provided to the applicant. TESTING: Individual hiring departments at UM may elect to administer pre-employment tests, which are relevant to essential job functions. EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY: All New Employees must be eligible and show employment eligibility verification by the first date of employment at UM, as legally required (e.g., Form I-9).

How to Apply

PRIORITY APPLICATION DATE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2023 by 11:59 PM (Mountain Time)

Complete applications received by this date will be guaranteed consideration. To receive full consideration, candidates are required to submit all of the following materials. Application will remain open until position is filled.

Please submit the following application materials** via the UM Jobs portal and by clicking "New Resume/CV" button.  Please do not apply through Indeed.com*.

A COMPLETE APPLICATION INCLUDES:

1. LETTER OF INTEREST – addressing your qualifications and experience related to the stated required skills for the position. A general letter salutation such as “Dear Search Committee” or “Dear Hiring Manager” is acceptable.
2. DETAILED RESUME – listing education and describing work experience.
3. PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES – names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*Applying through Indeed.com or easy apply through Indeed.com may result in submission of an incomplete application.  Applications may be removed from full consideration if they are not complete with materials listed above under the "How to Apply" section.  It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure complete application materials are submitted and received by the date listed above. 

**Please note: only five (5) attachments are allowed per application. Please combine documents accordingly.

Required Skills Required Experience