GRAF Research Technical Assistant

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

Independently implements requests and transactions for the Gnotobiotics Research Animal Facility (GRAF) as delegated by the GRAF Director, Technical Director or RTA team lead. Provides routine laboratory duties and supports research projects under direct supervision. Assists members of the GRAF in preparing equipment for experiments, performs basic techniques, assists with building, sterilizing and recycling equipment and materials. Performs basic microbiology testing and other prescribed laboratory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Prepares bedding, food, water, and other stock materials.

• Prepares and processes autoclave cylinders with specified materials (bedding, food, water, experimental supplies).

• Prepares sterile materials in support of research activities including preparing, packaging and processing supplies.

• May assist with preparation of isolator sterility quality assurance materials, may assist technologists with research activities under direct supervision.

• May assist with ordering of unit supplies.

• Re-wraps filters on sterilization cylinders.

• Processes biological indicators for quality assurance.

• Prepares caging material for processing in autoclave.

• Assists with facility cleanliness and sanitization.

• Provides documentation of activities, assists with additional material preparation tasks as may be required.

• This job provides technical and administrative support in a laboratory environment performing basic laboratory techniques, research and analysis under direction.

• Provides routine or standardized laboratory duties by collecting data in support of research projects under direct supervision.

• Complies with institution, state and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).

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:

• High School Diploma.

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred.

Experience:

• Previous work experience in an academic environment, hospital surgical supply prep, biomedical or animal research setting, or a medical or veterinary care setting.

Preferred Competencies

• Must demonstrate ability to work on more than one project at one time and meet 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.

• Ability to interact with all levels of staff within the department.

• Some basic mechanical skills (use of screwdrivers, wrenches, industrial autoclave units).

Working Conditions

• Predominantly a standing and active position.

• Requires a fair amount of walking to different facilities on campus, also entails writing, typing, and computer skills.

• Ability to lift and carry (short distances) up to 50 pounds.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

4