"Research Technician - Gnotobiotic Core"

Company: North Carolina State University

Job Location:

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Adjunct/Part-Time

Join the Pack! A community with nearly 8,000 faculty and staff, and 30,000 students. NC State is one of the largest employers in North Carolina, offering a large range of career opportunities. Visit us at https://jobs.hr.ncsu.edu/.

Department: 196001 - Department of Population Health and Pathobiology

Location: Raleigh, NC

Essential Job Duties:

We are seeking a highly motivated and meticulous Gnotobiotic Core Operations Assistant to join our research team. This vital position will work directly under the Core Manager, providing essential support for all duties related to the operation and maintenance of our Gnotobiotic Core, which specializes in housing and managing germ-free and gnotobiotic mouse colonies. The ideal candidate must be detail-oriented, reliable, and committed to maintaining the highest standards of sterile technique and animal welfare.

Key Responsibilities

The Assistant will be responsible for a variety of tasks crucial to the core's function, including:

Animal Husbandry and Colony Maintenance

• Routine Animal Care: Performing daily animal husbandry tasks for germ-free and gnotobiotic mice housed within flexible film isolators.
• Health Monitoring: Checking the health conditions and behaviors of the animals and promptly documenting any abnormal activities or observations.
• Sterile Techniques: Changing cages and refilling water bottles while strictly adhering to sterile protocols within the isolator environment.

Core Preparation and Sterilization

• Supply Preparation: Packaging animal food and filling large water bottles for sterilization via autoclaving.
• Equipment Sterilization: Preparing cylinders containing various supplies (cages, bedding, etc.) for autoclaving before they are introduced into the isolators.
• Supply Transfer: Assisting the Core Manager with the sterile introduction of supplies into the isolators.

Facilities and Inventory

• Isolator Integrity: Monitoring and ensuring the integrity of the flexible film isolators at all times.
• General Housekeeping: Maintaining cleanliness and organization both inside and outside the isolators.
• Inventory Management: Assisting the Core Manager with maintaining an accurate inventory of supplies and submitting orders as needed.
• Equipment Maintenance: Assisting the manager with assembling isolators from component parts and ensuring all parts are properly maintained in usable condition.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in animal care, laboratory, or research settings is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to follow strict protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• High level of attention to detail and precision.
• Ability to perform physical duties, including lifting and standing for extended periods.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for accurate documentation and reporting
• Able to lift up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.

Please note: This position is time-limited anticipated for one year with probable renewal and part-time working only 20 hours a week.

Other Work/Responsibilities:

• Required to wear a full-face respirator as needed.
• Other tasks and responsibilities may be assigned based on the needs of the organization and evolving priorities.

Minimum Experience/Education: Demonstrated possession of the competencies necessary to perform the work.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be able to communicate effectively with the manager and the director of the Gnotobiotic Core.
• Must be able to understand instructions and other communications regarding work assignments and other matters.
• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds with or without reasonable accommodations.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous work experience with handling and restraining rodents.

Required license or certification: N/A

Position Number: 00104308