Research Team Liaison

The Animal Care and Use Program (ACUP) Research Team Liaison will join the team of ACUP professionals dedicated to providing a unified framework ensuring the ethical and responsible use of animals in research. This team serves as the operational office of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), an independent ethics board composed of peers, veterinarians, non-scientists, and a community member.  While the Research Team Liaison organizes education and outreach and guides researchers, the IACUC is an independent review board reporting directly to the Institutional Official.  It is the IACUC that makes final determinations regarding the regulatory and ethical compliance of protocols, modifications, adverse events, and all other submissions for review.

This position reports to the Director of the ACUP, who reports to the Associate Vice President for Research Strategy and Regulatory Affairs within the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation.

The ACUP Research Team Liaison is responsible for coordinating educational strategies, providing direct guidance to researchers, and managing compliance-related triage and tracking.

The primary responsibilities are divided into four main areas:

1. →Education, Training, and Outreach - involves managing the onboarding program for new investigators and research teams to ensure early adherence to ACUP policies and guidelines
2. →Consultation and Triage of adverse event submissions - on-demand screening and guidance for researchers during protocol development and at the time of initial or renewal submissions
3. →Project Management – Tracking project plans and priorities for action by quarter, including centralizing records management for activities supporting program-wide trend assessment and risk mitigation (informing future educational and outreach priorities).
4. →Cross-team Activities and Special Projects - Responsibilities include participating in IACUC meetings as a non-voting member, assisting with AAALAC accreditation preparation, and drafting priority communications and reports.

Beyond these core duties, the position requires the ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and maintain a high level of collaboration with researchers and colleagues while upholding strict standards of research ethics and compliance.

• Ability to collaborate productively with researchers, serving as a guide to submissions and review responses.
• Aptitude for breaking down dense guidelines into engaging learning materials.
• Capability to help researchers find compliant, scientifically valid solutions for complex protocol requirements, including a willingness to consult with subject-matter experts.
• Sound judgment and the ability to handle sensitive information with integrity and discretion.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively, proactively track priorities and deadlines, and communicate concerns or potential barriers in advance.

Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

• Direct experience planning, organizing, delivering, and evaluating researcher/animal care and use program education, training, and outreach programs.
• Experience working with an IACUC/ACUP and/or direct protocol writing/review experience.
• Advanced degree in a life science discipline and/or experience in veterinary medicine.

• Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, animal science, veterinary technology, public health, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 2–3 years of experience in an academic research setting, in an educational/quality assurance role, vivarium, or laboratory research environment involving animal models.
• Sound understanding of federal regulations governing animal research (PHS Policy, USDA Animal Welfare Act, The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals).
• Highly collaborative, with strong interpersonal, communication, customer service, and organizational skills.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to review highly detailed scientific protocols for alignment with VCU ACUP standards and guidelines.
• Experience facilitating group communication planning, including soliciting needs and feedback on an annual/quarterly plan for (newsletters, website page review, and outreach).