Description
Design and lead veterinary medical research to understand, prevent, and treat animal diseases; develop vaccines, diagnostics, and therapies; analyze health data; ensure animal welfare and regulatory compliance; and translate findings to clinical practice, public health, and industry.
- • Design and conduct experimental studies on animal diseases, health, and physiology.
- • Collect and analyze biological samples (tissues, blood, feces, urine, fluids) for research and diagnostics.
- • Operate and interpret laboratory and imaging equipment (e.g., radiography, ultrasound, PCR, sequencing).
- • Develop, test, and evaluate vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostic assays.
- • Plan and execute preclinical studies to determine safety, efficacy, and dosing of drug therapies or surgical techniques.
- • Perform necropsies and postmortem analyses to determine causes of morbidity and mortality.
- • Establish and oversee biosecurity, quarantine, and testing procedures to prevent disease transmission.
- • Design and manage animal models and clinical studies in compliance with IACUC and applicable regulations.
- • Ensure humane animal care, use, and euthanasia according to approved protocols and welfare standards.
- • Conduct epidemiological surveillance and risk assessments for zoonotic and production animal diseases.
- • Analyze data, interpret findings, and prepare technical reports, manuscripts, and regulatory submissions.
- • Educate and advise veterinarians, producers, agencies, and the public on animal health and zoonoses.
- • Train and supervise laboratory personnel, technicians, and animal care staff.
- • Collaborate with cross-functional teams in academia, industry, or government on R&D initiatives.
- • Develop and validate nutrition or reproduction research programs to improve animal health and productivity.
- • Inspect and test livestock, wildlife, or companion animals as part of research or surveillance studies.
- • Maintain accurate research records, inventories, and quality systems (GLP/GMP as applicable).
- • Present findings at conferences and pursue continuing education.
- • Manage laboratory operations, budgets, grants, and compliance documentation.
- • Specialize in disciplines such as pathology, microbiology, immunology, epidemiology, surgery, or internal medicine research.
- • Advise stakeholders on biosecurity, sanitation, husbandry, and evidence-based interventions.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
