Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Veterinary Research Officer

💰 $95,000 - $160,000

Veterinary MedicineResearch & DevelopmentLife SciencesPharmaceuticalsAnimal Health

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly motivated and scientifically-driven Veterinary Research Officer to join our dynamic Research & Development team. This pivotal role serves as the cornerstone of our preclinical and clinical programs, providing essential veterinary and scientific expertise to drive the discovery and development of novel therapies for animal health. The ideal candidate will be a hands-on DVM with a passion for research, a commitment to animal welfare, and the ability to translate complex scientific concepts into actionable study designs. You will be instrumental in ensuring the scientific integrity, ethical conduct, and successful execution of research studies that shape the future of veterinary medicine.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Recent Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD) graduate with research experience
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow in a relevant life science field
  • Experienced Clinical Veterinarian with a strong interest in transitioning to research

Advancement To:

  • Senior Veterinary Research Officer / Senior Scientist
  • Principal Investigator / Study Director
  • Director of Veterinary Research or Clinical Development

Lateral Moves:

  • Medical Science Liaison (MSL)
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialist (Veterinary)
  • Technical Services Veterinarian

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Design, develop, and execute comprehensive preclinical and clinical research protocols to rigorously evaluate the safety, efficacy, and pharmacology of new veterinary therapeutics.
  • Provide expert veterinary medical oversight and hands-on clinical care for all animals participating in research studies, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare and compliance.
  • Act as the Study Director or Principal Investigator for in-vivo studies, assuming full responsibility for the technical conduct, data integrity, and scientific validity of the research.
  • Perform and oversee a wide range of in-vivo study procedures, including complex test article administration, biological sampling (blood, tissue), anesthesia, and advanced surgical procedures.
  • Meticulously collect, document, and analyze complex scientific data, leveraging statistical software to interpret study outcomes and generate robust conclusions.
  • Author, review, and finalize critical study-related documentation, including protocols, amendments, and final study reports, ensuring they meet stringent regulatory and quality standards.
  • Collaborate intensively with cross-functional teams, including pharmacology, toxicology, and regulatory affairs, to provide veterinary expertise and ensure seamless project progression.
  • Develop and validate novel and clinically relevant animal models of disease to support discovery programs and enhance the predictive value of our research.
  • Conduct detailed gross necropsies and tissue collections, and collaborate with pathologists to interpret histopathological findings and their impact on study endpoints.
  • Manage external research collaborations with Contract Research Organizations (CROs) and academic institutions, including site selection, study monitoring, and data validation.
  • Ensure all research activities are conducted in strict adherence to internal SOPs and external regulations, including Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
  • Prepare and deliver compelling scientific presentations of research findings to internal stakeholders, senior management, and at external scientific conferences.
  • Author and contribute to scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, as well as abstracts and posters for scientific meetings.
  • Provide critical veterinary and scientific input for the preparation of regulatory submission documents for agencies like the FDA-CVM or EMA.
  • Maintain a deep and current understanding of scientific literature, competitor activities, and emerging technologies within relevant therapeutic areas.

Secondary Functions

  • Train, mentor, and provide guidance to junior research associates and veterinary technicians on study-specific procedures, animal welfare, and data collection best practices.
  • Lead the development and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to animal care and use, experimental techniques, and data management.
  • Actively participate in Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) meetings, protocol review, and facility inspections.
  • Manage study budgets, timelines, and resource allocation to ensure projects are completed efficiently, on schedule, and within financial parameters.
  • Provide veterinary consultation and support for ad-hoc issues that may arise in toxicology, pharmacology, or manufacturing processes.
  • Engage with Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) and academic experts to foster a strong external network and stay at the forefront of veterinary science.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • In-Vivo Research Expertise: Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting in-vivo studies with a strong understanding of animal models of disease.
  • Veterinary Clinical Proficiency: Advanced skills in animal handling, clinical examination, administration of therapeutics, and biological sample collection across multiple species.
  • Surgical & Anesthetic Skills: Proficiency in performing aseptic surgical procedures and managing anesthesia and peri-operative care in a research setting.
  • Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of animal welfare regulations (AWA, The Guide) and experience working within GLP and/or GCP compliant environments.
  • Data Analysis & Statistics: Competency in using statistical software (e.g., GraphPad Prism, R, JMP, SAS) for data analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
  • Scientific Writing: Proven ability to author high-quality scientific documents, including study protocols, final reports, and manuscripts for publication.
  • Pathology Knowledge: Ability to perform detailed gross necropsy and accurately interpret histopathology reports in the context of study objectives.

Soft Skills

  • Critical Thinking & Problem-Solving: Exceptional ability to analyze complex problems, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and make sound, data-driven decisions.
  • Communication & Collaboration: Superior written and verbal communication skills with a natural ability to collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams and with external partners.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and highly organized approach to experimental execution, data collection, and documentation.
  • Scientific Integrity & Ethics: Unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards in research and a profound dedication to animal welfare.
  • Adaptability & Resilience: Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic research environment and effectively manage multiple projects and shifting priorities.
  • Leadership & Mentoring: Aptitude for guiding and developing junior team members, fostering a culture of scientific excellence and collaboration.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) from an AVMA-accredited institution.
  • Must hold an active license to practice veterinary medicine in at least one U.S. state.

Preferred Education:

  • An advanced academic degree (MS or PhD) in a relevant scientific discipline such as pharmacology, immunology, pathology, or molecular biology is highly desirable.
  • Board certification by an American College of Veterinary Medicine specialty (e.g., ACVP, ACVIM, ACVS, ACLAM).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Veterinary Medicine
  • Animal Science
  • Pharmacology / Toxicology
  • Immunology
  • Pathology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2-5+ years of post-DVM experience in a biomedical research environment (academia, government, or industry).

Preferred:

  • Experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry is strongly preferred.
  • Direct experience serving as a Study Director or Principal Investigator on GLP-regulated studies.
  • Expertise in a specific therapeutic area relevant to the company's portfolio (e.g., oncology, infectious disease, immunology, metabolic disease).
Explore More Careers