University Veterinarian

Job Summary

Dalhousie University is a member of the U-15, Canada’s group of top 15 research-intensive universities. Under the leadership of the Vice President Research and Innovation, Dalhousie administers over $270M annually in research funding. As the only member of the U15 in Atlantic Canada, Dalhousie is a leader in the region and a respected partner nationally on research programming and innovation. Reporting to the Vice President, Research and Innovation, the University Veterinarian is responsible for senior administrative regulatory oversight, communications, and compliance with regulatory and legal agencies, providing support and advice to researchers, operation of animal ethics committees, training, public relations and communications, risk management, legal advice, and direct veterinary clinical support of programs on Halifax and Truro campuses.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide comprehensive veterinary care to multiple research animal facilities, including IWK’s In Vivo Laboratory, Studley Animal Care Facility, and Dalhousie Aquatron, with additional support to other sites as needed.
• Deliver emergency veterinary services for laboratory animals across the Halifax campus, including weekend and holiday on-call coverage shared with other veterinary staff.
• Maintain regular facility visits and communication, liaising with animal care directors and monitoring animal welfare across all Dalhousie research animal facilities.
• Ensure institutional compliance with national and provincial standards for animal care in research, including Canadian Council on Animal Care and Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Medicine guidelines, while promoting responsible conduct and animal welfare.
• Provide strategic leadership for Dalhousie’s animal care and use program, overseeing policy development, operational structure, and centralized documentation through the Directorate and Animal Care and Use Committee Secretariat.
• Support education and research excellence by delivering training programs, lectures, and hands-on workshops in laboratory animal care, and advising investigators on ethical protocol development and refinement.

Note

The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.

Travel to satellite facilities is required.

Required Qualifications

• Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with a minimum of 10-years experience working with research animals including common laboratory species such as mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits or equivalent combination of education and experience with demonstrated knowledge in the indications for use of anesthetic, analgesic, and other common veterinary drugs, as well as aseptic procedures performed during surgery, surgical technique.
• Thorough up-to-date knowledge and understanding of Canadian Council on Animal Care including all new policies and guidelines.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to continuous improvement in compliance practices and animal welfare.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in the administration of an animal care and use program.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, conflict resolution, facilitation, and problem-solving abilities, skilled in tactful communication, negotiation, and maintaining professionalism in challenging situations.
• Proven ability to handle confidential research, personnel, and site information with discretion.
• Proficient in MS Office and basic statistical tools for data analysis and reporting.

Assets

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s and competencies, in particular:

- Self-Awareness & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Respect & Inclusion
- Thinking and Acting Strategically
- Resource & Process Management

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, a health spending account, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Applications from current university employees and external candidates are assessed concurrently. Current university employees will be given special consideration.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above.