IACUC Chair Message from the VPR

After many years of dedicated service as IACUC Chair, Paul Murphy, Ph.D., will be stepping down from the role. Dr. Murphy's leadership has been instrumental in maintaining a high-quality and compliant animal care and use program at the University of Kentucky, and we are deeply grateful for his commitment to the university and its research mission. Please join me in thanking him for his outstanding contributions.

With this transition, the Office of the Vice President for Research invites applications for the role of IACUC Chair. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Research Integrity, the Chair provides essential leadership in the oversight of animal care and use in research, teaching and testing at the university. The Chair plays a key role in ensuring that our practices align with federal regulations, institutional policies and AAALAC standards, while supporting the research community in the responsible and ethical use of animal models.

As we look ahead, the IACUC will be developing an updated vision for its operations — one that strengthens our commitment to excellence, supports investigators and enhances the effectiveness of our program. The next Chair will help shape this direction in collaboration with the Office of Research Integrity, Attending Veterinarian, DLAR leadership and partners across campus.

Faculty interested in being considered for this important role are encouraged to review this position description (below) and submit a brief statement of interest and CV to VPR@uky.edu by March 27, 2026. 

Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chair

Summary:
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) Chair, reporting to the University’s Associate Vice President for Research Integrity, provides leadership and oversight of IACUC functions related to animal care and use at the University of Kentucky (UK). A major area of responsibility includes playing a central role in ensuring the ethical and responsible care and use of animals in research, teaching and testing endeavors in congruence with the applicable federal laws and guidelines as well as institutional and AAALAC accreditation standards. Implicit in this role is a continual assessment of operational practices with the intent of facilitating the research endeavors of UK faculty using animal models while upholding high standards of animal care and use and ensuring all parties (IACUC members and investigators alike) understand the objectives and standards and work to apply them in a consistent and reasonable manner. 

Duties:
The IACUC Chair leads the IACUC in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Chair ensures that the committee effectively and efficiently conducts protocol review, program review, facility inspections and oversight of animal welfare concerns in accordance with institutional policies and applicable regulations, guidelines and AAALAC accreditation standards.

• Oversight of Animal Use (via the review and approval of all activities involving animals) which includes:
  • Evaluating proposed procedures
  • Assessing potential pain or distress
  • Ensuring appropriate anesthesia, analgesia and humane endpoints
  • Confirming scientific justification for animal use
  • Applying the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3Rs)
  • Ensuring personnel training
• Program and Facility Oversight which includes:
  • Conducting semiannual program reviews
  • Performing facility inspections
  • Identifying deficiencies and ensuring corrective action
  • Monitoring ongoing activities (post-approval monitoring, as applicable)
  • Ensuring appropriate records are maintained and regulatory reports are filed 
• Ensuring Institutional Accountability which includes: 
  • Ensuring institutional compliance with applicable regulations, guidelines and AAALAC accreditation standards
  • Addressing animal welfare concerns 
  • Working with the Institutional Official (IO) and IO delegates, Attending Veterinarian, and DLAR Director as part of the collaborative leadership of the animal care and use program 

Qualifications:

• Current employment as a tenured faculty at the University of Kentucky.
• Demonstrated current success in extramurally funded research with animal models
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues across campus units on research-related activities 
• Demonstrated experience sufficient to guide deliberations and ensure appropriate oversight
• Ability to promote the consistent application of policies, guidelines and procedures
• Ability to demonstrate objectivity and align people around shared goals, foster trust and work collegially
• Possession of strong interpersonal, communication and team-building skills 

Apply:
Application deadline is 3/27/26. All applicants should send a cover letter detailing their interest and qualifications and updated CV to vpr@uky.edu. Please use subject line: IACUC Chair.