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Director of Animal Welfare Services
Job no: 536910
Work type: Officer of Administration
Location: Eugene, OR
Categories: Biology/Life Sciences, Research/Scientific/Grants
Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $110,000 - $135,000 per year
Compensation Band: OS-OA10-Fiscal Year 2026-2027
FTE: 1.0
Application Review Begins
August 20, 2026; position open until filled
Special Instructions to Applicants
With your online application, please upload a resume and a cover letter describing how you meet the minimum requirements, professional competencies, and any preferred qualifications. You will also be asked to enter the names and contact information of three professional references; candidates will be notified prior to contacting references.
The position is full-time and located in Eugene, Oregon.
Department Summary
The University of Oregon (UO) holds the distinction of a "very high research activity" ranking in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and is one of only two Pacific Northwest members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). The Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI) serves as an advocate and catalyst within the University for expanding the range and impact of UO's research, scholarship, and creative endeavors.
The OVPRI oversees sponsored programs, research compliance, technology transfer, research development, and administrative responsibility for numerous high-profile research centers and institutes and core research facilities, which provide opportunities for faculty across the university to collaborate on research efforts that are inherently interdisciplinary, and of significant societal importance. The OVPRI is committed to enhancing these efforts by providing operational support and administrative leadership for the UO's program for humane care and use of animals.
Animal Welfare Services (AWS) is responsible for managing a centralized program of laboratory animal care compliant with all local, state, and federal regulations surrounding animal use in research, teaching, and testing, including but not limited to the Animal Welfare Act, the NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, the Public Health Service Policy on Humane Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, and the U.S. Government Principles for the Utilization and Care of Vertebrate Animals Used in Testing, Research, and Training.
Position Summary
The Director of Animal Welfare Services (AWS) provides support to the IACUC (Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee) in the service of research excellence and compliance with legal requirements, and advice on best practices including organizing and maintaining IACUC communication and records. This position provides guidance to University of Oregon researchers on best practices for performing research that is compliant with all relevant animal care and use regulations and assists researchers in resolving barriers to compliance, including helping them develop protocols that are likely to obtain IACUC approval and guiding them through the approval process. The Director provides strategic leadership and vision and provides operational support for the Institutional Official and the IACUC to timely take all steps necessary to satisfy the requirements in applicable regulations and guidance, including the Animal Welfare Act and the Guide to the Care and Use of Animals.
The Director facilitates cooperative agreements among the University of Oregon and collaborating institutions for research involving vertebrate animals, and works with the IACUC, facilities directors, and veterinarians in formulating a training program and conducting trainings. The Director serves as the UO's primary contact with OLAW, USDA, other agencies and collaborative institutions. The successful finalist will be adept in proactive and solutions-oriented customer service, policy development and process improvements, team-oriented, detail-oriented, and outcomes-focused.
This position reports to the Associate Vice President for Research Operations and will be responsible for managing AWS support staff. Due to the nature of the position, the selected candidate must be able to be in the office at least four days of the week or more as circumstances require.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's or Associate's degree.
- Certification as Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA) OR at least one year of relevant IACUC experience (including, for example, oversight of animal programs, investigations of noncompliance, drafting of research policies and procedures, navigating regulatory/ accreditation processes, delivering trainings on animal care and use), and the ability to sit for the CPIA within one year of hire.
- Three years of experience working with the ethical principles, federal regulations, agency guidelines, contracts, or nationally accepted standards for animal research.
The University will consider any equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background, skill set, and any experience that might be transferable to the role.
Professional Competencies
- Knowledge of federal and state reporting criteria associated with animal programs
- Highly developed knowledge of humane care, management, and housing of animals with an understanding of standards and guidelines as established by institutional, local, state, national, and international regulations and AAALAC International
- Ability to maintain knowledge of changing policies, regulations, and guidance and to implement changes into local practices
- Ability to effectively manage employees
- Highly developed interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills to interact with a variety of stakeholders
- Commitment to transparency, diplomacy, discretion, and professionalism
- Ability to maximize the capabilities of staff and promote a culture of high performance and continuous programmatic improvement
- Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills and ability to set appropriate priorities between multiple concurrent tasks
- Proficiency with information technology, including web, word processing, data entry, specialized programs, and managing electronic information
- Ability to solve problems independently as well as in a collaborative team environment and represent the university in a professional manner
- Ability to enable new investigative techniques while meeting compliance requirements.
- Commitment to advancing the university's research goals in creating a facilitative environment for research while navigating an increasingly complex research compliance environment.
- Ability to work effectively with individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree, J.D., or two years of experience in research compliance, animal science, or a related field.
- Animal welfare experience working in a research-intensive institution of higher education with AAALAC accreditation.
- Thorough knowledge of vivarium methodology and operations.
- Experience as a member of an Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC).
- Experience with electronic IACUC protocol submission systems.
- Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA).
- Familiarity with typical university contracts and agreements relating to the IACUC.
- Proven track record of success facilitating progressive organizational change and development within a growing organization.
- Distinguished record of organizational leadership as evidenced by experience having supervised a team, having fostered an inclusive, collaborative and respectful work culture, or helping an entity navigate government regulatory changes
- Demonstrated proficiency in a broad range of research compliance areas, including an in-depth knowledge of the federal and state regulatory framework governing animal subject research.
FLSA Exempt: Yes
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit our website.
The University of Oregon is an equal-opportunity institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please email us or call 541-346-5112.
UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy (including pregnancy-related conditions), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information (including family medical history), ancestry, familial status, citizenship, service in the uniformed services (as defined in federal and state law), veteran status, expunged juvenile record, and/or the use of leave protected by state or federal law in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Access. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed here.
In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online.
Advertised: August 6, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: