Clinical Veterinarian

Clinical Veterinarian

An affiliate of Colossal is seeking an experienced Clinical Veterinarian to help build and lead clinical veterinary operations across a rapidly expanding portfolio of animal programs. This role is designed for a veterinarian who thrives in a start-up environment and is excited not only to deliver exceptional clinical care, but also to design, implement, and operationalize the systems, protocols, and facilities that underpin a world-class animal health program. The Clinical Veterinarian will provide comprehensive medical oversight across a portfolio that includes research animal colonies including rodent and small mammal species, and avian species, and will play a foundational role in shaping Colossal's long-term animal health infrastructure. This position requires strong expertise in laboratory animal medicine, avian clinical care, anesthesia, surgery, emergency response, preventative medicine, and clinical systems development, along with the ability to build scalable veterinary programs in a dynamic and evolving organization. This position reports directly to the Chief Animal Officer and is based in Dallas, TX. Relocation assistance is available.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Veterinary Care & Case Leadership

• Provide comprehensive medical care across a diverse portfolio of species, with particular emphasis on avian species, rodent colonies, and small mammal research animals.
• Perform physical examinations, diagnostic evaluations, and therapeutic interventions appropriate to avian and laboratory animal physiology.
• Develop case management plans for acute, chronic, and emergent conditions across taxa.
• Lead emergency and critical care response as needed, including field-based situations.
• Maintain accurate and compliant medical records within established record-keeping systems.
• Develop and oversee preventative medicine programs and whole-population health strategies, including colony health monitoring and sentinel programs.
• Provide medical oversight for rodent and small mammal colonies, including health surveillance, colony management, and genetic integrity support in coordination with research teams.

Anesthesia & Surgical Leadership

• Design and implement anesthetic protocols for avian species and research animals in both hospital and field environments, including avian-specific inhalant and injectable protocols.
• Perform and oversee sedation, induction, monitoring, and recovery with attention to the unique physiologic demands of avian patients.
• Operate and maintain modern anesthesia delivery and physiologic monitoring systems.
• Perform surgical procedures appropriate to program needs, including avian soft tissue procedures and research-related interventions.
• Establish anesthetic safety guidelines, drug formularies, and controlled substance management systems.
• Develop contingency protocols for complex or high-risk procedures.

Program & Protocol Development (Startup Environment)

• Designing and implementing clinical SOPs for:
• Preventative medicine and colony health programs
• Quarantine, biosecurity, and barrier housing standards
• Avian-specific anesthesia and surgical standards
• Controlled drug management
• Emergency response
• Necropsy and pathology workflows
• Establishing pharmaceutical inventory systems and DEA-compliant tracking protocols.
• Advising on veterinary hospital and clinical facility design, including IACUC-compliant research animal housing, avian holding areas, and equipment selection.
• Supporting construction planning and activation of new animal facilities.
• Creating scalable veterinary infrastructure to support program growth and species expansion.

Animal Welfare, Biosecurity & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead implementation of quarantine protocols and health certification processes, including avian import/export health requirements.
• Oversee IACUC protocol development, amendments, and regulatory submissions in coordination with research teams.
• Ensure compliance with USDA APHIS, IACUC, DEA, and applicable federal and state regulations governing both research animals and avian species.
• Develop and monitor biosecurity and zoonotic disease prevention protocols, including avian influenza preparedness and biosafety tier management.
• Partner with animal care teams on welfare assessments and behavioral health considerations.
• Support necropsy procedures and diagnostic sample management.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with the Chief Animal Officer on strategic planning and clinical priorities.
• Collaborate with animal husbandry, research, genetics, and facilities teams.
• Serve as the primary veterinary liaison for IACUC oversight and research compliance.
• Coordinate with external veterinary specialists and consultants as required.
• Contribute veterinary expertise to research initiatives requiring anesthesia, sampling, or surgical intervention.
• Help establish clinical best practices that align with both conservation and research objectives.

Emergency Preparedness & Field Operations

• Be available for regular coverage during all hours including weekends and holidays.
• Develop and implement emergency preparedness protocols.
• Support veterinary interventions in large-acreage and field environments.
• Lead clinical oversight during immobilizations and remote procedures.

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort building systems in a growth-stage organization.
• Demonstrated expertise in avian medicine and surgery across multiple avian taxa.
• Strong working knowledge of laboratory animal medicine across rodent, small mammal, and avian species, research compliance, and IACUC regulatory frameworks.
• Exceptional clinical judgment and attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and protocol development capabilities.
• Clear communicator able to collaborate across scientific and operational teams.
• High emotional intelligence and ability to work within interdisciplinary environments.
• Adaptable and resilient in fast-paced, mission-driven settings.
• DEA licensure (or ability to obtain).
• Strong emergency and critical care capabilities.
• Proven ability to operate independently and make sound clinical decisions in dynamic environments.
• Extensive domestic travel with some international travel (~30%).

Preferred Skills and Abilities:

• Board certification in Avian Practice (ABVP) or Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM), or advanced training in either specialty.
• Experience supporting novel, emerging, or complex species programs.
• Experience standing up or scaling a veterinary program from early-stage operations.
• Familiarity with ratite, psittacine, passerine, or other specialized avian groups relevant to conservation programs.
• Experience with avian reproductive medicine, including artificial insemination and egg management protocols.

Education and Experience:

• DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited institution.
• Minimum 10 years of clinical veterinary experience, with meaningful time in avian medicine and laboratory animal medicine, including hands-on experience with rodent and small mammal colonies.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced anesthesia and surgical techniques in avian and research animal species.

Pay Range

$150,000 - $200,000 USD