Job Information
The University of Chicago GRAF Research Specialist - JR29030-3800 in Chicago, Illinois
This job was posted by https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov : For more information, please see: https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/jobs/12566998 Department
BSD ARC - GRAF
About the Department
The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus.
Job Summary
Principal contribution is providing technical support for research projects occurring in the Gnotobiotics Facility (GRAF), including work on weekends. 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.
Responsibilities
- Maintain breeding and experimentalmouse 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 \'associated\' animals.
- Perform experimental interventions with germ free and ex-germ free \'associated\' animals and assist.
- Principal Investigator group to perform experiments within the facility.
- Perform weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups.
- 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, health checks and upkeep (equipment and supplies) and administrative support to the Director of 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.
Minimum Qualifications
Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through
Certifications:
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Preferred Qualifications
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 reg latory 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.
Working Conditions
- Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing at hoods and sitting at isolators in facility, laboratory and office environment.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.
Application Documents
- Resume (required)
- Cover Letter (preferred)
When applying, the document(s)