GRAF Research Specialist

Overview

Department: BSD ARC - GRAF

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus, managing 6 facilities and a business office. The unit includes sections: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all BSD cores on campus.

Principal contribution is providing colony breeding/production and technical support for research projects occurring in the Gnotobiotics Facility (GRAF). Under indirect supervision, performs moderately complex laboratory and/or research-related duties and tasks. Collects, maintains and analyzes data. Helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. May orient or coordinate the work of research support staff and students.

Responsibilities include maintaining mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, setting up and performing experiments, interacting with graduate students, post-docs, fellows and other Principal Investigator (PI) laboratory staff. May provide PI training.

• Maintain breeding and experimental mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, (includes tag, tail, wean and colony status records).
• Prepare materials for experimental procedures with germ free and ex-germ free rom associated animals.
• Perform experimental interventions with germ free and ex-germ free rom associated animals and assist Principal Investigator group to perform experiments within the facility.
• Perform weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups and monitoring.
• Perform health checks and health observations.
• Assist with training PI group and other research personnel working in the GRAF.
• Assist with advanced procedures which may include anesthesia and surgery.
• Assist with facility maintenance, isolator tasks, and facility operations (equipment and supply preparation) and administrative support to the Technical Director of the GRAF.
• Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results. Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.
• Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures. Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications: ---

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to the research being conducted.

Experience:

• Two years of experience in a scientific animal research setting OR experience in a Gnotobiotics facility.
• Previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.
• Prior experience working with mouse colony management.

Licenses and

Certifications:

• AALAS certification or eligibility for certification at LAT level or higher.

Preferred

Competencies:

• Computer knowledge and skills.
• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance.
• Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team, ability to communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University, ability to prioritize.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays on a rotational basis.
• Decision making skills and ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.
• Must be detailed and organized and respect confidentiality.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.

• Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing or sitting at biological safety cabinets and isolators in facility or laboratory.
• Also entails sitting for…