Veterinarian, Biomedical Research Facility

Company Description

Private Institution National Laboratory Astana

The main objectives of the NLA are to conduct multidisciplinary basic and/or applied scientific research in the life sciences, energy, interdisciplinary and other fields of science, as well as activities to establish scientific laboratory, experimental bases, centers, institutes for the development and implementation of scientific, scientific and technical, educational programs and training of specialists.

Job Description

Conducting preclinical studies; research and trainings on small and large laboratory (experimental) animals.

1. Providing veterinary care and health protection for the laboratory animals housed in the Facility at all stages of their life cycle; 2) Performing clinical examinations of animals on arrival, during quarantine/acclimatisation, and during scheduled and unscheduled rounds; assessing their general condition, behaviour, body weight and clinical signs of disease; 3) Diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases of laboratory animals; prescribing medicines and veterinary preparations and monitoring their use and storage; 4) Organising and running the animal health monitoring programme, including sample collection, submission of material for laboratory testing, interpretation of results and preparation of reports; 5) Monitoring compliance with the established SPF regime and with biosafety, biosecurity and sanitary-epidemiological requirements in the Facility’s premises; promptly informing the Head of the Facility of any breaches or contamination and initiating corrective actions; 6) Providing and/or supervising anaesthesia, analgesia and post-operative care during experimental and surgical procedures; 7) Performing humane euthanasia of animals in accordance with approved standard operating procedures and international requirements; 8) Monitoring the condition of animals before, during and after experimental procedures; applying humane endpoint criteria and deciding whether to stop a procedure or to isolate, treat or euthanise an animal; 9) Advising researchers on the selection and use of medicines and veterinary preparations, methods and routes of administration, doses and analgesia regimens, as well as on animal handling methods, within the limits of professional competence; 10) Participating in the preparation, review and implementation of research protocols involving laboratory animals, including compliance with the 3R principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), and liaising with the Bioethics Committee (IACUC); 11) Participating in the acceptance of animals and assessing their health status and accompanying veterinary documentation; 12) Coordinating and supervising the work of veterinary attendants with regard to cleaning and disinfection of premises, movement of laboratory animals, and preparation of cages and equipment; 2 13) Participating in the disposal of medical and biological waste, including the removal of animal carcasses, and assisting in maintaining the related documentation; 14) Exercising veterinary oversight of animal housing conditions: microclimate parameters, water quality, feed, bedding, environmental enrichment and stocking density; 15) Training and instructing researchers, veterinary attendants and other staff in animal handling, restraint and manipulation techniques, and in recognising signs of pain and distress; 16) Maintaining veterinary records (logs of clinical examinations, prescriptions and treatment, quarantine, mortality and euthanasia, and laboratory test results) and entering data into the Facility’s electronic record-keeping system in a timely manner; 17) Monitoring the accounting, storage and write-off of medicines, veterinary preparations and veterinary consumables, including those subject to strict quantitative (controlled) accounting; 18) Participating in the preparation of information for monthly, quarterly and annual reports on the Facility’s activities, and in preparing the Facility for internal and external audits, inspections and accreditation procedures.

Qualifications

Higher veterinary education. A certificate (document) confirming the right to carry out veterinary activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan is desirable. An academic degree and additional training in laboratory animal science (FELASA, LAS, ACLAM/ECLAM or equivalent) are an advantage. Priority specialisations: veterinary medicine / veterinary practice; veterinary science; veterinary safety; veterinary sanitation.

Experience as a veterinarian, including clinical practice. Experience working with laboratory animals (rodents, rabbits, etc.): housing, breeding, health monitoring and veterinary care. Experience in preclinical research and in working in a vivarium/barrier facility. Experience in preparing documentation for the Bioethics Committee (IACUC), participation in research projects and submission of grant applications is an advantage.

Knowledge of laboratory animal science, the housing, breeding and veterinary care of laboratory animals, preclinical research, bioethics and the humane treatment of animals to the extent required for the position. Knowledge of sanitaryepidemiological, biosafety and biosecurity requirements for work with laboratory animals and of biological waste management procedures. Knowledge of the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan on veterinary medicine and of the fundamentals of civil, corporate, financial, administrative and labour legislation. 3 Skills in clinical examination, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases of laboratory animals; proficiency in restraint, substance administration, biological sample collection, anaesthesia, analgesia and humane euthanasia techniques; animal health monitoring; knowledge of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and the 3R principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement); knowledge of international requirements for the care and use of laboratory animals (Directive 2010/63/EU, Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, FELASA recommendations, AAALAC International standards); skills in developing and implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs); skills in maintaining veterinary and record-keeping documentation.

Additional Information

Fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh is an advantage.

Responsibility and discipline; accuracy and attention to detail; stress tolerance; humane attitude towards animals and adherence to bioethical principles; ability to make decisions in non-standard and emergency situations; initiative; willingness to undertake regular training and learn new standards and rules.

Skills in maintaining veterinary and record-keeping documentation, including in electronic form; working with the Facility’s electronic record-keeping system and electronic logs, including timely data entry.