HTRL Senior Research Specialist
The University of Chicago

Department

BSD ARC - HTRL

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

This position participates in scientific research projects. Ensures compliance of research activities with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. Analyzes possible solutions using standard procedures. Writes articles, reports and manuscripts. Assists in drafting presentations on research findings.

Provides support for research involving animals at the Howard T. Ricketts Laboratory (HTRL) animal facility. Handles and maintains the health of animals at ABSL1 and ABSL2-3/select agent levels. Observes, documents, and maintains records on animal behavior and welfare. Directly involved in colony management and may perform technical procedures/services for investigators upon request. Receives and houses animals, performs husbandry duties, maintains equipment and supply inventory, operates cage wash equipment. May prepare reports on health and welfare. May direct the work of or train other animal technologists assigned at the HTRL facility.

Responsibilities

• Performs animal health checks daily.
• Performs cage change in biocontainment units at ABSL1 and ABSL2-3/select agent.
• Performs technical procedures such as gavage, injection and biologic sample collections.
• Performs tagging and tissue biopsy for genotyping and maintains breeding schemes for animal colonies.
• Stocks materials/supplies, assists in maintaining facility sanitization.
• Operates tunnel and rack washers, autoclave and water bottle filling station within the facility.
• Processes BT-Sure indicators and performs other quality control procedures.
• May assist investigators with experimental techniques, observations and study documentation.
• Assists in training animal technologists or other research specialists assigned to HTRL facility.
• Supports data collection and analytical needs of research projects. Conducts literature reviews and helps write reports and manuscripts. Ensures project compliance with different policies, procedures, directives, and mandates.
• Takes responsibility for the following non-laboratory duties: transcribing and coding data; developing data collection instruments; presenting research; and recruiting and scheduling research subjects. Acquires higher-level skills and knowledge in the process.
• Takes responsibility for the following laboratory duties: recognizing abnormal results and varying conditions or procedures to correct problems; setting up and performing experiments. Analyze the meaning, significance, causes, and effects of the subject.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:
Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
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Work Experience:
Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
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Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in a field relevant to the research being conducted.

Experience:

• 2-4 years previous work experience in an academic or biomedical environment.
• 2-4 years of experience with direct work involving research animal models.
• Previous animal work at ABSL2 or ABSL3.

Certifications:

• AALAS certification at LAT level.

Technical Skills or Knowledge:

• Computer knowledge and skills.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance.

Preferred Competencies

• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• Work successfully as a member of a team, communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University.
• Work under pressure of scheduled assignments.
• Work on more than one project at one time and meet deadlines, prioritize.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.
• Detail-oriented and organized.
• Respect and maintain confidentiality.
• Analyze and solve problems.

Working Conditions

• Requires a fair amount of standing and performing work in a biological safety cabinet.
• Lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Laboratory and office environment.
• Availability for weekend and holiday schedules.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

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

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

FLSA Status

Exempt

Pay Frequency

Monthly

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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