Assistant Technical Director

Department

BSD SRF - ISAIRR

About the Department

iSAIRR is an integrated infrastructure that offers a broad spectrum of imaging modalities, techniques, and services for in vivo imaging of small animals and ex vivo imaging of tissue/organ specimens. Our goal is to provide University of Chicago investigators and external users with state of the art, quantitative multi-modality imaging technologies to advance in-vivo molecular and physiological research of a broad range of disease and cancer models, and to accelerate pre-clinical development of novel therapeutics and diagnostic tools. Currently, iSAIRR sub-cores feature magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy (MRIS); optical imaging (bioluminescence and fluorescence); positron emission tomography, single photon emission computed tomography, and computed tomography (PET/SPECT/CT).

Job Summary

The job manages scientific research projects or scientific research facilities. Uses considerable on-the-job experience to ensure compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies. Works independently to write articles, reports and manuscripts, and presents research findings at meetings and/or conferences.

The Assistant Technical Director for the core assists the Technical Director with the overall daily management of the unit and its sub-cores, including planning/scheduling of research projects. Responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory practices and requirements. Analyze and develop solutions to issues with equipment and general core functionality. Perform advanced research procedures independently and without supervision. This position requires high level of planning, interaction with other iSAIRR’s staff, investigators as well as supporting the core, the Technical Director and its sub-units administratively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee research projects schedules, contribute to updating and maintaining core regulatory protocols, develop and maintain updated written SOPs.

• Responsible for core (and sub-cores) monthly billing, supply management, equipment service, and software licenses. Support Technical Director with administrative responsibilities.

• Communicate with and plan support/repairs as needed with building maintenance and Plant.

• Monitor and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates.

• Provide veterinary support to all sub-units as needed to perform image acquisition: this includes animal set up for imaging, animal anesthesia, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous injection of radioactive contrast agents and other solutions, small animal tail vein catheter placement and other surgical procedures, tissue harvest and analysis, routine animal monitoring during and after imaging and routine animal care.

• Provide principal investigators with advice and assistance with experimental design. Perform laboratory techniques such as tissue culture and preparation of cell suspensions for inoculation, monitor tumor growth. Acquire new surgical techniques as needed to support iSAIRR users.

• Perform imaging on different modalities as needed and analyze, evaluate, and summarize data/results for presentations and meetings. Assist the Technical Director with preparation of reports, manuscripts and other documents. Work closely with Technical Director on administrative duties and act as resource and point of contact for users.

• Manage other core and sub-core staff schedules and assignments and overall unit operations. Responsible for all daily activities of research projects in iSAIRR and its sub-units.

• Uses subject matter and best practices knowledge to perform lab and/or research-related duties and tasks. Works independently to assist with project design.

• Solves complex problems relating to the administration of projects, including planning new procedures, adapting existing procedures to the needs of the project, and making significant contributions to methodology.

• Guides data collection, evaluation and analysis. Designs and manages databases. Writes reports, articles and manuscripts.

• Presents research findings at meetings and conferences, as well as to funding agencies. Conducts literature reviews. Develop and maintain liaisons and effective working relations with groups and individuals, agencies, and the public to encourage cooperation.

• 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 5-7 years of wo