Tyson Blanch

- Overall responsibility for the operation, management ,scientific standards and service delivery of the facility

- Management of budget, equipment maintenance & repairs and space allocation

- Develop a positive workplace philosophy of continuous improvement identifying operational weaknesses and implementing change with the collaboration of the Bioresources Facility staff and researchers

- Responsible for all aspects of human resource management ie staff performance management, appraisals, probation reviews, professional development, compliance with laws and regulations, policies and procedures

- Assess health status of animal imports, perform risk assessments and make decisions on whether animals should be accepted - to minimise risk whilst facilitating research

- Report, produce and oversee Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) protocols. Read, advise & sign off on all researcher AEC protocols

- Responsible for ensuring all bioresources facility

• staff and researchers strictly comply with all defined work procedures, animal ethics and regulatory policies and guidelines, security and safety requirements

-Executive lead for ANZLAA annual conference in 2024

-Budgeting and expenditure approval

-Community engagement and representation

• Governance and compliance management including but not limited to; ensuring facilities and activities undertaken within the facility meet guidelines and standards, ensuring animal activities have a high standard of hygiene, WH&S, husbandry and ensuring animal welfare is compliant with guidelines and statutory requirements
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders on compliance, operating procedures, risk assessments and policies
• Oversee the management of all animal research related policies as well as facility maintenance contracts
• Overall management and leadership of Bioresources facilities
• Administration and financial management including managing requirements in relation to administration and documentation of small animal research and animal care at the Westmead Bioresources Facility, managing and reporting in budget operations
• Staff management duties such as supervising/monitoring staff, researchers and students in relation to animal care
• Ensuring space allocation and bookings are prioritised with fairness and understand of individual research groups needs.

• Manage the day-to-day activities of a large animal research facility including 19 direct reports
• Work collaboratively to establish consistent standards and practices across research groups using the facility and with those external to the Institute
• Ensure compliance with health and safety, biosafety and training requirements
• Participate in regular laboratory and work-place inspections, and in obtaining and maintaining accreditation for the facility such as ISO9001, AAALAC and NATA, and implement change as required
• Manage inventories of animal facility equipment, including repair, replacement and general maintenance/servicing records
• Participate on working parties and committees such as Animal Ethics Committee, as appropriate
• Assist in providing data and figures for costing research grant proposals in line with Institute procedures
• Take all reasonable care to protect own health, safety and welfare at work and avoid affecting the health and safety of any other person at work.

• Manage all technical, administrative and research aspects of the university animal facilities including an external Approved Arrangement (AA) for importing and exporting live goods
• Train staff in and meet the strict legal requirements of a highly regulated research environment including ethics and animal welfare codes and acts
• Liaise effectively with various regulatory bodies including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) and the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)
• Point of call for Animal Welfare Officers (AWO) due to adverse events
• Provide scientific support to research staff and laboratory heads
• Develop and present seminars to research staff
• Provide feedback, suggestions and run weekly facility committee meetings
• Ensure communication and compliance with the NHRMC, state government, OGTR and DAWR controls
• Facilitate in training and inductions of all facility staff, government departments and visitors
• Develop rosters and manage a team of 36 staff including; senior academics, students and full-time and casual technicians
• Provide expertise training for staff in health and lifecycle of Zebrafish
• Build and maintain relationships with international and domestic suppliers of aquaculture systems
• Biosecurity risk management, operating procedures and training of staff
• Collaborate with animal facilities within Australia and internationally.

• All duties are as above
• The position was transitioned to the University of Melbourne.