GRAF Animal Technologist

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

The job provides clinical research laboratories with technical support. Provides support for research involving animals. Handles and maintains the health of animals in the Gnotobiotics Research Animal Facility (GRAF). Observes, documents, and maintains records on animal behavior and welfare. Maintains equipment and supplies. May prepare reports on health and welfare. May direct the work of or train other animal technologists.

Responsibilities

• Performs animal health checks daily and cage change for experimental film isolators.

• Prepares stock materials for autoclave processing and sterilization cylinders for isolator stocking.

• Prepares weekly film isolator cultures.

• Re-wraps filters on sterilization cylinders, process BT-Sure indicators.

• Checks cultures daily, prepare Chlorine Dioxide, process autoclave cycles, assist with facility sanitation.

• Assists with experimental supply preparation.

• Assists research specialists with experimental interventions.

• Prepare study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.

• Prepares quality and safety control measures for the laboratory, such as checks of equipment, temperature control, and documentation of quality improvement projects.

• 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 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

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

Experience:

• Previous work experience in academic/biomedical research setting.   

• Previous work experience with animal research in an academic environment.

Licenses and Certifications:

• AALAS certification at any level.

Preferred Competencies

• 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 under pressure of scheduled assignments.

• Availability for weekend and holiday schedules.

• Computer knowledge and skills.

• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.

• Ability to work on more than one project at one time and meet deadlines.

Working Conditions

• Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing and sitting at isolators and Biological Safety Cabinets in the facility.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Requires sitting while using a biological safety cabinet.

• Requires sitting or standing for long periods of time while working in isolator housing environments.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)

• Cover Letter (preferred)

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

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FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

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Pay Range

$21.63 - $28.85

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, 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.

 

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.

 

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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