Director of Wits Research Animal facility (WRAF) at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        

The University is looking for a new Director for the Wits Research Animal facility (WRAF), to take up the post at the earliest possible date.

The purpose of the WRAF is to house and care for animals, which are used by the University in its duties of teaching and research. A wide range of species is catered for, but numerically rodents and lagomorphs are by far the most numerous. The WRAF is housed in spacious premises in the University’s Medical School and has a sub-unit on the East-Braamfontein campus. The use of animals, captive and free-ranging, for teaching and research purposes is strictly regulated by the University’s Animal Ethics Committees.

The Director has a staff of about 16 reporting to him or her, including a veterinarian, veterinary nurses, animal technicians and attendants.

We are looking for a South African Veterinary Council (SAVC) registered veterinarian who has, most or all, of the following experiences and attributes:

• Familiarity with an academic research environment;
• Experience of managing an internationally recognized animal research facility;
• First-hand experience of the use of animals in teaching and research, preferably including the conducting of his or her own research;
• Experience of working with a wide range of animal species;
• An innovative mindset when dealing with unforeseen experimental problems or outcomes;
• Experience of the management of personnel and budgets;
• An ability to interact amicably with a range of persons, including academic, administrative and maintenance staff, members of the public and animal rights groups.