Director, Transgenic and Knockout Mouse Core Facility Faculty - Cellular, Molecular and Genetic

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Summary:

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity employer.

Unit:School of Medicine

Department: Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine

Department Summary: The Department of Cellular, Molecular and Genetic Medicine is dedicated to unraveling the fundamental biology that supports health and drives disease. Our faculty, trainees and students tackle some of the most pressing challenges in biomedical science, from the molecular and genetic roots of disease to the complexities of whole-body physiology.
Our foundational studies are driving the frontiers of scientific discovery, pushing the boundaries of what we understand about biology, disease and the human body. From our labs in downtown Richmond to research collaborations around the world, our work is generating new knowledge, influencing the direction of biological science and redefining what is possible in biomedical research.
We are proud to be a community of passionate educators and mentors, deeply committed to empowering the next generation of scientists and leaders. With alumni enjoying successful careers across a broad spectrum of industries, our rigorous training programs offer students a transformative education that drives innovation today and creates lasting impact for tomorrow.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to lead animal model creation at a large (>$500M in research awards) Carnegie R1 research university. This is an exciting opportunity to work with a highly respected and experienced team with a long history of serving the university’s research community. The Director must possess comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of the Core’s operations. This role supports a diverse active user base across VCU—predominantly within the School of Medicine (SOM), but also servicing the School of Pharmacy, School of Dentistry, and others, as well as external investigators.

The Director ensures the seamless delivery of major core services, including breeding colony management (the facility's largest service line), cryopreservation, rederivation/IVF, and the production of new genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs).

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Core Oversight: Prioritize and supervise all daily technical functions, project timelines, and operational workflows within the Core; management of three direct reports
• Investigator Consultation: Meet with faculty and investigators to discuss new projects, design custom genetic strategies, and provide regular status updates on ongoing projects
• Institutional Grant Support: Provide customized letters of support for faculty grant submissions, assist investigators with budget preparation, and directly participate in grant and manuscript writing
• Importation & Logistics: Collaborate with the Division of Animal Resources (DAR) to manage mouse line importation and rederivation. Assist investigators with identification of existing mouse models and with the logistics for procurement from sources such as the Mutant Mouse Resource and Research Center (MMRRC) and various international sources of mouse lines
• Specialized Grant Leadership: Serve formally as the Director of the Mouse Core for key institutional research grants
• Technical Innovation: Keep the facility at the cutting edge of genome-editing capabilities by tracking emerging methodologies and staying active within professional networks such as the International Society for Transgenic Technologies (ISTT)
• I…