Animal Husbandry & Performance Technologist

at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine, United States

Job Description

The Animal Husbandry and Performance Team is seeking a motivated, detail oriented full time AHAP Technologist to join our team at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine.

The successful candidate will be working with a dynamic mouse production team to develop and characterize mouse strains through projects and studies within a collaborative environment.
This position is a wonderful opportunity for experienced animal care or in -vivo technicians to expand their skills.

Key Responsibilities:
Working independently, the AHAP Technologist will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of assigned projects. This will include implementation and execution of a variety of ongoing large-scale husbandry experiments, strain characterization studies, model development & refinement projects, and the management of mouse colonies for animal husbandry and diagnostic purposes.
Set up and operate a variety of basic laboratory and specialized electronic equipment including (but not limited to): electronic balances, centrifuges, pipettes, glucometers, body composition determination equipment (DEXA), Beckman & Advia analyzers, telemetry equipment, video monitoring equipment, environmental monitoring equipment, data loggers, open field/exploratory hole board equipment, blood pressure equipment, computers, external hard drives, infrared lighting, and digital cameras.
Extensive animal handling & biological sample collection. Perform various diagnostic interventions without supervision, including careful animal observations, accurate weighing of animals & tissues, manual palpation, individual identification of animals (e.g., ear notching, ear tags, microchip), blood collection via several methods (including but not limited to sub-mandibular, tail-tip excision, and terminal cardiac methods), collection of tail tip samples for genotyping, administration of compounds via various routes (including but not limited to oral gavage, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and sub-cutaneous), intravascular perfusion of various tissues as required, and collection of tissues as required (including but not limited to liver, kidneys, pancreas, adrenal gland, stomach, ovaries, fat pads, and brain)
Will knowledgeable of the theoretical basis of the studies the group is working on, and should have the technical competence and judgment to carry out all required laboratory procedures without supervision.
The AHAP Technologist is responsible for rigorous data collection, organization, and management, as well as assisting in advanced data analysis of study results & compilation of study reports.
The AHAP Technologist will maintain many different strains of mice for special purposes such as: aging studies, special & timed pregnant mating, and various other experimental studies. This includes coordinating ordering of animals as needed, performing complex husbandry and technical procedures, and colony management.
Maintain complex breeding colonies which also include genotyping animals for their appropriate use as both breeding and testing.
Coordinate a wide variety of laboratory procedures, tests, and assays including (but not limited to): clinical biochemistry, hematology, tissue fixation and trimming, histopathology, ELISA, and flow cytometry. Responsible for the prioritization, coordination, and execution of the tests, from ordering the necessary supplies and/or mice to the handling of any resultant data. Trouble-shoot problems with these tests/assays, investigate the possible technical reasons for test/assay failures, and take appropriate corrective action towards proper test/assay completion

The wage range is $21.60 - $31.33 per hour. Pay will be determined based upon qualifications and experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of animal biology as would normally be acquired through completion of a BS/BA degree in Biology, Zoology, Animal Sciences or a closely related discipline, or 5 years of equivalent animal experience and course work in mouse husbandry, colony management & genetics.
Completion of JAX Genetics I and II or ability to test out for both levels or successful completion of college level accredited Genetics course.
Experience with laboratory animals to include basic husbandry practices, handling, and use for experimentation is essential. Have (or able to gain) proficiency with biomethods including dosing (i.e., IP, IM, PO, SC and IV), blood collection (i.e., submandibular and cardiac), tissue collection, and basic surgical skills and aseptic techniques.
The ability to accurately record, document, and analyze data is essential;
Demonstrated, excellent skills in utilizing and manipulating data using spreadsheet-based programs such as Microsoft Excel is required
Ability to be flexible and... For full info follow application link.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.