Director of Biological Services

The University of Dundee is an international leader in biomedical research, which involves the use of high-quality and high-welfare animal research facilities and services.

Due to a pending retirement, the University is inviting applications for the role of Director of Biological Services to oversee the organisation’s small animal research facilities.

This role is critical to the ongoing development of the university’ research support infrastructure and as such business continuity is a key factor in our approach to recruitment. The current postholder will remain in the position until December 31^st 2022 and therefore there is opportunity for a period of work shadowing and handover.

Biological Services is part of the University’s Professional Services Directorate structure and reports into the University Executive Office. The Director is responsible to the Establishment Licence Holder for compliance and to the Vice-Principal of Research in relation to the strategic direction of animal research. The Director is also accountable to the Deans of the Schools of Life Sciences and Medicine in relation to facility and service requirements, future planning and operational matters.

The Director of Biological Services is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational quality and financial management of the University’s animal research facilities and services. This includes the planned closure of a facility and the consolidation and rationalisation of its activity into the remaining two facilities on a single site, over the next 12 months. A longer-term strategic investment plan will also be developed for the provision of future animal research capability.

The successful candidate will have the experience to manage and develop large and complex bioresource facilities, with knowledge and expertise in laboratory animal science and academic biomedical research, strong leadership skills and a sound understanding of the legislation and regulation as defined within the UK Animals Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA).

The capacity to mentor and support staff through periods of change is central to the role.

The Home Office designates the University as a scientific procedures and breeding establishment under ASPA.

The University is committed to:

• Putting the University first, by acting in the best interest of student achievement, academic excellence and our overall strategy.
• Maintaining a culture of service excellence.
• Working together as one team to achieve results through collaboration.

Job Description
The position of Director of Biological Services operates with a high overall level of autonomy and exercises a high degree of delegated responsibility and independence, has significant leadership and management responsibility for the planning and reviewing the development and operation of the University’s animal research facilities, and for providing direction to approximately 30 staff.

The Director is required to manage the operating budget, generate strategies, develop plans for improvement and strategic investment and to provide high-level well-informed advice to key stakeholders on operations and direction on licences, experimental design, procedures or study plans, as required. High-level financial and management skills in planning and problem solving are essential. The ability to communicate effectively with the scientific research community is also essential.

For further details, and to apply, please visit:
https://www.jobs.dundee.ac.uk/fe/tpl_uod01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B1A&jobid=105689,8748765965&key=149988533&c=83026551729823&pagestamp=servvwjejkbvileyuu

As an internationally diverse institution, we welcome job applicants from all countries and nationalities.

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