Surgical Animal Technician

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About the Role:

We are seeking a highly motivated, innovative and experienced full-time Surgical Animal Technician to contribute to their Genetically Engineered Animal Models research and product development pipelines. Successful candidates will be part of an innovative team with the opportunity to apply their skills to the company's core vision. A positive attitude, proficient communication skills, along with the ability to learn quickly are required attributes. 
 

Suitable candidates must have experience with transgenic mice and/or other rodents such as rats, specifically with survival surgery and post-op care. They must have professional and scientific skills and knowledge in the specified areas and be willing to engage and stay abreast with current developments and trends arising in the field. Good knowledge of scientific principles, methods and processes (technical and/or theoretical) used to conduct systematic and objective inquiry, methods of data collection and analyses, and interpreting and reporting results are required, as well as the ability to operate instruments and equipment and proficiency in related information technology including husbandry software, etc. 

To be successful you will need:

Education and Experience

• BS in Veterinary Science, Animal Science, Zoology, Biology, Genetics, Biotechnology or related fields.
• Licensed Veterinary Technician NYS and/or Laboratory Animal Technician, AALAS certified preferred.
• 3+ years of closely related experience with animals, preferably in a laboratory research setting, or equivalent combination of education, skills, and experience.
• Basic scientific calculation (such as weight volume concentration, molar concentration, etc.).

Essential skills and experience

• Experience handling mice and rats is required.
• Experience with animal colony management.
• Experience with various injection methods in mice and rats preferred.
• Experience with performing mouse surgeries and post-op care.
• Experience with in vivo imaging techniques, preferably ultrasound.
• Familiarity with protocol submissions in compliance with IACUC requirements.
• Attention to detail with emphasis on animal age, ID, descendancy, genotype, etc.
• Experience analyzing and quantitating data from experiments is highly desired, but not required.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to interact with colleagues in productive ways to enhance the company's goals and core vision. Show respect and maintain a professional attitude to all lab members and outside collaborators.

Duties

• Administer medications and treatments to laboratory animals according to a prescribed protocol.
• Provide care to animals.
• Provide surgical support, including pre-, intra- and postoperative care.
• Conduct standard sterile operating room procedures ensuring all instruments and materials are appropriately prepared and available for use.
• Perform surgical procedures and tests, anesthesiology and imaging.
• Maintain records of anesthetics and post-operative rounds.
• Assist in ultrasound procedures, actively participate in cleaning, organizing, and re-stocking the Operating Room area and storage in the surgical suite.
• Assist with Operating Room and surgical suite equipment maintenance and operation.
• Remain compliant with requirements of all regulatory agencies.
• May coordinate imports and exports of rodent species including live animals and frozen embryos/gametes.
• Perform cryopreservation of in-house strains.
• May assist with billing and charges for services.
• Occasional weekend/evening and on call rotations required. May act as a backup for colleagues in their absence.
• Perform other related duties as needed.

Additional skills valuable to the company

• Working knowledge of RNA interference, shRNA and/or siRNA, as well as, gene editing techniques including homologous recombination and CRISPR, and their applications to study gene function.
• Experience with western blots.
• Cell and tissue culture including manipulation of various cell lines.
• Flow cytometry experience.