Animal Care Committee Administrator Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Job Description

I. POSITION SUMMARY   

The Animal Care Committee (ACC) Administrator is responsible for the efficient management of the WCMC-Q ACC and will serve as the institutional expert on regulatory requirements for animal care and use. 

The Administrator will need to adapt to an evolving regulatory and research environment, and reconcile multiple sets of regulations.  

II. POSITION ACTIVITIES

- Analyze and apply relevant regulations, policies and ethical principles to ensure that protocols undergo the appropriate level of review and that reviews meet requirements; moderate negotiations between the ACC and investigators.

- Efficiently manage the ACC meeting lifecycle, including preparation (schedule, develop agenda, distribute protocols), conduct (verify quorum, advise regarding regulations and policies, record decisions), and documentation (prepare minutes, communicate decisions to investigators and others).

- Develop and deliver training for ACC members, researchers and research team members.

- Establish working relationships with internal and external stakeholders in order to assess needs, minimize compliance gaps, avoid duplication of effort, and contribute to national capacity building. 

- Assist the Director with development and improvement of institutional policies and procedures, applications for accreditation and government registration, and required reports.

- Conduct on-going quality improvement activities, including evaluation of research projects, periodic facility inspections, and evaluation of the ACC review process.

- Work with vendor and Information Technology Services to maintain proper functioning of the ACC module of WCMC-Q’s research administration software.  Assess and make improvements as necessary.

- Provide administrative support to the WCMC-Q Occupational Health Program as it applies to animal users.

- Perform other job-related duties as required, which may include some animal care duties.

Desired Skills & Experience

I.  MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

- Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of three years of progressive experience in management of a research animal oversight committee.

- A degree in Animal Science, Biological Science or Veterinary Science is preferred.  An equivalent combination of related education and experience may be acceptable.

- Demonstrated working knowledge of, and ability to apply, regulations and ethical standards for care and use of animals for research.

- Demonstrated proficiency in written and spoken English language is required.  Proficiency in both Arabic and English is preferred.

- Maintenance of valid Certified Professional IACUC Administrator (CPIA) certification, or other equivalent certification, is required.  A candidate may be hired without current certification, but will be required to obtain such certification within the first 2 years of employment. 

- Experience with an accreditation process for animal care and use is strongly preferred.

- Background either working in or supporting a research laboratory where animals are used, including familiarity with relevant research methodologies, is strongly preferred.

- Experience with configuration and use of research administration software is preferred.

Company Description

Founded in 1898, and affiliated with what is now NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital since 1927, Weill Cornell Medical College is among the top-ranked clinical and medical research centers in the country. In addition to offering degrees in medicine, Weill Cornell also has PhD programs in biomedical research and education at the Weill Graduate School of Medical Sciences, and with neighboring Rockefeller University and the Sloan-Kettering Institute, has established a joint MD-PhD program for students to intensify their pursuit of Weill Cornell's triple mission of education, research, and patient care. The Medical College is divided into 20 academic departments: seven focus on the sciences underlying clinical medicine; and thirteen encompass the study, treatment, and prevention of human diseases, and maternity care. In addition to its affiliation with NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical College and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences maintain major affiliations with Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Hospital for Special Surgery, as well as with the metropolitan-area institutions that constitute the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System. The Weill Cornell Medical College and the Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences are accredited by the Liaison Committee for Medical Education of the American Medical Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges.