Animal facility manager, designated veterinarian and responsible for animal welfare

Overview

We’re building the future of medical dermatology by focusing on unmet patient needs and giving people the space to think independently, take ownership and make an impact that matters. Our purpose is simple: to transform patients’ lives by addressing real needs. We work with care, act with courage, keep things simple and focus our innovation where it makes a difference. Recognised as a Top Employer in Spain since 2008 and in Germany since 2025, we continue to invest in an environment where people can grow and move forward. If you care differently, you belong here.

Responsibilities

• Act as Designated Veterinarian in a multispecies environment (rodents, rabbits, pigs and zebrafish) in accordance with EU Directive 2010/63/EU and Real Decreto 53/2013.
• Act as Animal Welfare Officer for the above-mentioned species, in accordance with EU Directive 2010/63/EU and Real Decreto 53/2013.
• Perform animal facility management tasks, including the following responsibilities:
  • Supervise all Animal Facility’s activities in compliance with applicable regulations and protocols.
  • Management of animal breeding colonies.
  • Coordination of animal care/experimental staff.
  • Preparation of reports for both the heads of user departments and the competent authority.
  • Maintenance and updating of the corporate policy on the use of animals in the facility.
  • Participation in internal and external audits.
  • Development of work protocols for facilities, equipment, processes, and techniques.
  • Estimation of needs, resources, and materials for budget preparation.
  • Management of the procurement of animals and related materials.
  • Supervision of equipment maintenance and inspection.
  • Coordination of visits to the facilities (internal and/or external).
  • Liaison with other key departments: Maintenance, Engineering, Procurement, etc.
  • Effectively communicate within and across teams.
  • Attend courses, lectures and conferences to further own knowledge of research and laboratory animal science, consult with other researchers to exchange information.
  • Contribute to an enriching, positive and inclusive lab environment.

Other duties

• Member of the Animal Experimentation Ethics Committee.
• Participation, as the animal facility safety role, in meetings and initiatives related to occupational health and safety.
• Participation, as a member of the Biosafety Committee, in agreed meetings and initiatives.

Education & Experience

Qualification to perform functions d, e, and f according to EU Directive 63/2010, Real Decreto 53/2013, and EC566/2015. Master's degree in Laboratory Animal Science and Welfare. Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine. Registered veterinarian (or eligible to obtain official registration). Fluent in Spanish and English, both spoken and written. Diploma from ECLAM (European College of Laboratory Animal Medicine) is desirable but not required. 6–8+ years’ experience as a veterinarian in research animal centers. Experience in colony management, anesthesia, and surgery in different species. Experience with animal facility management software. Experience on Animal Experimentation Ethics Committees. Experience in pharmaceutical or biotechnology settings. Authorship of scientific publications on animal models and laboratory animal science.

Why work with Almirall?

We are a people-centric company where employees are at their best, patients and customer are at the heart of every decision, and our focus and agility allow us to deliver greater impact for all. For the 17th year in a row, we have been certified as Top Employer Spain, and also Top Employer Germany for the first time. This strengthens our commitment to create a unique work environment that helps our employees to develop their skills to fullest and grow both professionally and as individuals. We are delighted to have a great team that is proactive, innovative, and eager to transform the world of people with skin conditions. We are proud of each one of our employees, their development, and growth: they are the success of the company.

Our purpose

"Transform the patients' world by helping them realize their hopes & dreams for a healthy life".

Our values

• Care: we listen & empathize, we value diverse perspectives & backgrounds and we help each other succeed.
• Courage: we challenge the status quo, we take full ownership and we learn from our success & failures.
• Innovation: we put the patient and customer at the center, we create novel solutions and we empower entrepreneurial mindsets.
• Simplicity: we act decisively and avoid over-analysis, we understand why before we act and we are agile & keep things simple.

The Almirall Research team in Barcelona is strengthening its core experimental department and is seeking an Animal Facility Manager, who will also serve as Designated Veterinarian and Responsible for Animal Welfare. The Animal Facility Manager will lead the activities necessary to ensure the safety, health, and well-being of the animals used in biomedical research. This role also ensures that all the procedures and operations are carried out ethically and in full compliance with local and national regulations.