Biocore Manager

**BioCORE Manager, Rodent**

Permanent, full-time

Darlinghurst, Sydney, NSW

**About us**

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute (the Institute) is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease and is one of the most respected heart research facilities in the world. Renowned for the quality of its breakthroughs, the Institute was established in 1994 and has grown to a team of more than 200 researchers from around the globe, working across five divisions.

A global centre-of-excellence, it integrates Cardiac Physiology and Transplantation, Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Molecular Cardiology and Biophysics, Structural and Computational Biology, as well as Vascular Biology. At the Institute, we translate our discoveries into new diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of cardiovascular disease - reducing the incidence, severity, and impact of heart disease.

**The role**

The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute maintains facilities for genetically modified rodents, where a high quality of animal care is coupled with excellent services for research.

The BioCORE Manager - Rodent leads a skilled and dedicated animal care team who use the latest technology in housing and equipment to provide support for research into cardiac disease and development where mice and rats are the major species

As BioCORE Manager - Rodent, you will be responsible for the management of the BioCORE Rodent facility, with an overall objective and responsibility to deliver the highest standards of animal welfare and ethical conduct under conditions of current best practice and regulatory compliance while providing high quality technical support to researchers using the BioCORE facilities. Further, this leadership role promotes a supportive culture within the team by encouraging accountability, initiative, and continuous professional development.

In particular, the BioCORE Manager coordinates workflow to ensure the research laboratory, equipment and animals are safely and efficiently managed in accordance with current legislation and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

**What we will trust you with**

**Facility Operations**:

- Maintain, develop, and implement all policies, procedures and processes relating to the maintenance, security, monitoring and production of animals in the BioCORE Rodent facilities.
- Coordinate services to researchers, ensuring timely and adequate supply of animals to research projects.
- Manage all staff to ensure that best practice standards are maintained in the care of animals, efficient use of equipment and facilities.
- Oversee all aspects of BioCORE Rodent Facilities staff training and management, including managing rosters.
- Implement and review infection control measures and biosecurity practices and monitor environmental conditions of the facilities.
- Where required, work closely with consulting veterinarian to ensure that animal health problems are identified and managed with minimum disruption to users.
- Manage Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) projects as Principal Investigator or project holder on protocols for breeding and supply, and reproductive techniques.
- Maintain accurate records and inventories relating to supplies, equipment, receipt and assignment of animals, the status of animals and breeding records.
- Ensure that animal holdings meet AEC requirements and budgetary limits.
- Review and maintain up-to-date and appropriate emergency response guidelines and procedures for the facilities.
- Be on-call for emergencies outside of regular working hours.

**Compliance**:

- Manage rodent facilities accreditation and licensing requirements.
- Report annual animal usage to the AEC for annual returns to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI)
- Report facility activity and production figures to the AEC and attend monthly AEC meetings (currently Mondays from 4pm)
- Assist VCCRI's nominated Approved Arrangement (AA) Manager in monitoring compliance with AA guidelines and coordinate annual audits and inspections for AA
- Oversee WHS compliance of animal facilities, working closely with WHS Manager

**Animal Care and Management**:

- Day to day oversight of rodent animal care and production
- Animal welfare oversight and reporting of non-compliance as Animal Welfare Officer
- Manage the generation and maintenance of GMO and non-GMO animals.
- Assist researchers with advice on animal breeding and production strategies.
- Coordinate shipments and manage the quarantine of animals under biosecurity control according to facility SOPs and AA requirements.
- Perform and provide training on surgical, necropsy and sample collection techniques.
- Manage animal health monitoring programs and reporting.

**Does this sound like you?***
- Currently possess tertiary qualifications in animal science, animal technology, biological science, vet nursing, animal husbandry or a related field
- At least five years' experience in provision of animal service