Director of Vivarium Operations

About the Role

We are building a new state-of-the-art vivarium in the East Bay to support our neuroscience programs, including a substantial optogenetics and advanced imaging portfolio. This role spans two phases: spin-up and operations.

• In the spin-up phase, you will help shape facility design and commissioning, build permits and regulatory registrations, qualify vendors, develop SOPs, and hire and train the team.
• Once running, you will own the vivarium day-to-day, including full staff leadership, husbandry oversight, vendor and budget management, and continuous inspection readiness.

Responsibilities

• Build the regulatory infrastructure from the ground up: site permits, USDA APHIS Class R registration, PHS Assurance through OLAW, the path to AAALAC accreditation, and the IACUC infrastructure, working with the attending veterinarian and outside regulatory consultants.
• Lead the vivarium build-out: partner with architects, engineers, and construction teams to ensure facility systems and equipment meet program requirements, source and qualify vendors for caging, feed, bedding, enrichment, supplies, and waste handling, and plan and execute commissioning.
• Own the operational readiness plan: sequence permits, staffing, training, equipment, and SOPs against the construction schedule to drive timely occupancy.
• Develop the SOP library covering husbandry, sanitation, biosecurity, environmental monitoring, emergency response, and occupational health.
• Hire, train, and lead a multi-level animal care organization of 20+ staff, including supervisors, building team structure and career paths as the program scales.
• Oversee daily husbandry, sanitation, environmental monitoring, and animal health programs in coordination with the attending veterinarian.
• Own the facility budget, ordering, inventory, colony tracking, breeding records, and census reporting.
• Maintain all permits, registrations, and accreditations, and run the occupational health and safety program to ensure continuous inspection readiness for IACUC, USDA, and AAALAC.
• Coordinate with PIs and research staff on protocol scheduling, procedure room access, and training, and build reporting for scientific and executive leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of progressive experience in vivarium or laboratory animal facility operations, including 6+ years in a facility leadership role.
• Background in animal science, biology, veterinary technology, or a related life science, or equivalent experience.
• Track record of standing up or significantly reorganizing a vivarium program, including direct experience with a new facility startup, major expansion, or renovation.
• Experience hiring, developing, and managing a large, multi-level animal care organization of 20+ staff, including supervisors.
• Hands-on knowledge of rodent husbandry, breeding, and colony management.
• Deep working knowledge of the regulatory landscape: USDA APHIS, PHS Policy and OLAW, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, AAALAC standards, and IACUC processes.
• AALAS LATG certification, or LAT certification with LATG in progress.
• Strong project and operations management skills, with the ability to manage multiple timelines (construction milestones, permit timelines, vendor quotes, SOP reviews, staffing plans) simultaneously.
• Excellent communication skills with researchers, vendors, regulators, and senior leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience securing USDA, OLAW, or AAALAC registrations for a brand-new program from the ground up.
• Experience working with architects, engineers, and commissioning agents during vivarium design or construction.
• Familiarity with optogenetics and in vivo imaging workflows, including laser safety, light-tight rooms, care of animals with chronic optical or electrode implants, and support for two-photon or holographic stimulation experiments.
• Experience with non-rodent species or NHP facilities.
• Familiarity with vivarium management or colony tracking software.
• Experience growing an organization from a small founding team into a larger, structured department.
• Experience managing a facility operating budget and capital equipment planning.
• CMAR certification.
• Experience presenting facility operations and readiness updates to executive leadership.

Benefits

Astera Neuro provides a comprehensive benefits package and total compensation that is competitive and commensurate with the level of experience and qualifications.

Pay

Compensation Range: $240K - $330K