GRAF Research Coordinator

Department

BSD ARC - GRAF

About the Department

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago supports animal research by ensuring humane care and proper use of all laboratory animals. It oversees all research animals on campus, manages six facilities and a business office, and includes husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, and finance/administration. ARC is part of the Office of Shared Research Facilities, which also manages BSD core facilities.

Job Summary

The GRAF Research Coordinator’s main duty is providing rodent colony breeding/production and technical support for research projects for Principal Investigators (PI) including maintaining mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, setting up and performing experiments. Under indirect supervision, this position performs moderately complex animal-related duties and tasks such as gavage, injections, breeding schemes, tissue harvest, etc. Collects, maintains and analyzes data. In addition, the GRAF Research Coordinator helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. This position may coordinate the work of research support staff and students and may provide PI training.

Responsibilities

• 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 '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 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.

Minimum Qualifications

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:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to animal research being conducted is strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Experience in 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 such as Word, Excel and other basic programs.

• Excellent written/verbal skills, must be detailed oriented.

• 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 and problem-solving skills and capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.

Working Conditions

• Involves a combination of mobility between facilities, work in a biological safety cabinet, and time spent in stationary positions, including standing or sitting while performing assigned duties, as well as periods of seated, computer-based work.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds