Research Scientist - Veterinarian at University of Houston in Houston, Texas

Job Description:

The University of Houston (UH) invites applicants for a non-tenure track Research Scientist position. The incumbent serves as the Flight Attending Veterinarian, with the requisite programmatic authority over animal activities, to support animal research that is vital to the Agency, the Nation, and International Partners on the International Space Station and other spacecraft used by NASA. The space-based research aided by the incumbent is aimed at both helping send people farther into space and to helping benefit life on Earth.

The incumbent serves as the veterinarian on the Flight Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and advises the Flight Institutional Official (IO) on any and all aspects of the animal care and use program associated with space flight activities.

Duties include:

Responsible for ensuring the availability of veterinary support at all times during flights that include animal activities. This includes the designation of Duty Veterinarians, as needed.

Maintains close communication during missions with the Agency IO, flight IACUC, and NASA Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) concerning all NASA animal space flight activities. Communicates as necessary, with other center veterinarians on flight related ground activities (e.g. crew training, ground processing, etc.).

Responsible for the review and disposition of waiver/deviation requests, of animal welfare requirements for all in-flight animal facilities, in-flight equipment, and in-flight operations, within the limits allowed by applicable guidelines, policies, and regulations.

Provides consultation to research teams (Principal Investigator and Research Integrator) during the development of animal care and use protocols, with specific attention to model selection, animal care and husbandry, anesthesia, analgesia, surgical procedures, and euthanasia.

Provides consultation to the International Space Station (ISS) and other NASA programs which conduct research using animals (vertebrates and higher order cephalopods) and their contractors on feasibility, animal welfare, and implementation of proposed research studies, including hardware modifications or ground support equipment and transportation.

Provides training to researchers, research support personnel, IACUC members, crew members, and other relevant stakeholders in the humane care and use of laboratory animals.

Work closely with trainers to guide and support animal-related training of crew members assigned to support in-flight animal activities on the ISS, as well as the evaluation of crew qualifications to perform those activities in flight. Serves as the primary point of contact for the Flight IACUC for issues related to crew training and qualifications.

Supports the CVO in the development and evolution of NASA policies, procedures, guidelines relevant to animal need, selection and use; animal facility design and outfitting; and development and validation of requirements for flight hardware directly related to animal care and use.

The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution and recognizes protected classes of race, color, sex (including pregnancy), genetic information, religion, age (40 and above), national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or status, and gender expression as required by federal law. Veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Doctorate/Terminal degree from a veterinary school accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Council on Education, or has a certificate issued by the American Veterinary Medical Association's Education Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates

Mastery knowledge of, and skill in applying broad areas of veterinary medical science concepts to plan and execute veterinarian programs for in-flight animal facilities, in-flight equipment, and in-flight animal operations.
- AT LEAST 5 years of experience in certifying animals for flight and in supporting in-flight animal activities as a veterinarian.

Mastery knowledge of, and skill in applying broad areas of veterinary medical science concepts, principles, and practices sufficient to use veterinary expertise in recommending decisions in cases of disputes or difficult situations or problems; evaluate and advise the regulated community regarding current regulatory guidance and procedures for the humane handling, maintenance, transportation, housing, and experimental use of animals.
- Residency training in laboratory animal medicine and 5 years of post-residency experience, or
- AT LEAST 10 years of experience working as a laboratory animal veterinarian and 5 years of experience serving on an IACUC.