OPEN RANK: Veterinary Research Assistant or Specialist

**This is a FULL-TIME, CONTRACTUAL position**

The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine (UMSOM) has an exciting opportunity for a Veterinary Research Assistant OR Veterinary Research Specialist (Lab Animal Research Assistant or Lab Animal Research Specialist) for the Department of Radiation Oncology. The position will be filled as either an Assistant or Specialist, based on selected candidate's qualifications.

These veterinary research positions will be responsible for providing clinical care and treatment of laboratory animals in preclinical studies. Work is performed in accordance with department Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), animal welfare regulations, the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals, Public Health Services (PHS), Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines, and/or United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) 21CFR58 Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations.

BENEFITS (Contractual/C2 Employee):

UMB offers a comprehensive benefits package that prioritizes wellness, work/life balance, and professional development. Contingent Category II staff receive a generous leave package that includes over 2 weeks of vacation each year, paid holidays, personal leave, sick time, and time for community service; subsidized comprehensive health insurance and supplemental retirement options; professional learning and development programs; limited tuition remission for employees enrolled at UMB; life insurance and long-term disability; and flexible work schedules and teleworking options (if applicable per job).

UMB is Ranked Among the Best Employers for Diversity by Forbes 2022 & 2023.

PRIMARY DUTIES:

For Veterinary Research Assistant (Laboratory Animal Research Assistant):
- Perform or assist with specialized veterinary procedures such as physical examinations, treatments, surgery, intubation
 and anesthesia monitoring, euthanasia, and radiology/radiation delivery.
- Administer or assist in the administration of a health monitoring program including diagnostics.
- Assist in ensuring that post-operative care is performed as appropriate.
- Perform technical services for rodents (mice, rats), swine (minipigs, farm pigs), rabbits, and/or ferrets, as well as other
 species.
- Perform or assist with maintenance of animal health records, requisitions, USDA receipts and dispositions.
- Perform or assist in the training of animal care and research personnel.
- Perform routine laboratory maintenance and research activities per established department SOPs, study/IACUC
 protocols, and in compliance with GLP regulations. Activities may include but are not limited to: general housekeeping, daily observations of animal health, collection of cultures and biological specimens, administration of pharmaceuticals and nutrients, including anesthesia, and performing euthanasia.
- Perform some advanced laboratory research activities per established department SOPs, study/IACUC protocols,
 and in compliance with GLP regulations. Activities may include but are not limited to: serum chemistry white blood cell differentials; preparing cell samples for flow cytometry analysis and operation of flow cytometry; performing cell separations by density gradients; obtaining blood, bone marrow, and tissue samples; performing animal surgery and providing post-operative care.
- Maintain detailed, accurate, and legible records for all animal procedures performed and instrumentation employed to comply with the Guidelines of Good Laboratory Practice.
- Assist with literature research, editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication.
- Perform administrative duties such as: assisting in developing policies, studies, procedures and/or methods for laboratory experimentation; and ordering supplies.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.

For Veterinary Research Specialist (Laboratory Animal Research Specialist):
- Perform independent project(s) and participate in the design of research studies. Perform procedures utilizing specific skillsets or advanced treatments as dictated by the veterinarian in charge. Compile, analyze, and interpret research data using various relevant computer software applications.
- Independently perform day-to-day laboratory research activities such as: general housekeeping, daily observations of animal health; collection of cultures and biological specimens for diagnostic testing and monitoring of animal health; diagnostic molecular (ELISA), bacteriological, or biological assays; breeding colonization processes; irradiation of blood products; and executing biochemical or hematopoietic procedures such as: bone marrow aspirations, complete blood count, white cell differential, electrophoresis, blotting, chromatography, PCR and DNA extractions, etc.; and may require performing psychological enrichment of certain species.
- Perform laboratory animal support activities such as surgical, anesthesia, enrichment, diagnostics, good laboratory practice, internal-medical and biohazardous research and may contribute to the design of related activities.
- Administer day-to-day laboratory operations including monitoring and advise on the budget, ensuring quality control and safety compliance, developing policies and procedures, and ordering supplies including the identification of supply sources. Maintain proper operation of research equipment, ensuring proper operation records, cleaning, ordering of required components and explaining/resolving technical issues.
- Conduct library research and participates in editing and preparing manuscripts, scientific illustrations and computer graphics for publication. Contribute to the preparation of journal articles and grant proposals. Presents research findings.
- Prepare materials for research studies, including sample collection kits and research documents.
- Assist in the training of undergraduate and graduate students, post-doctoral, international fellows, and/or junior technical personnel in the performance of a variety of laboratory techniques.
- Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

For Veterinary Research Assistant (Laboratory Animal Research Assistant):
Education: Bachelor's degree in biology, agriculture, veterinary science, biochemistry, chemistry, or field of study related to the animal science. Graduation from a two-year American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Accredited Veterinary Technician program preferred.
Other: May consider a combination of directly related experience and education. 

For Veterinary Research Specialist (Laboratory Animal Research Specialist):
Education: Bachelor's degree in biology, agriculture, veterinary science, biochemistry, chemistry, or field of study related to the animal science. Graduation from a two-year American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Accredited Veterinary Technician program preferred.
Experience: Three (3) years of experience working with animals in a research laboratory setting or in an animal hospital is preferred, including two (2) years in the relevant research specialization in rodent/multi-species clinical.
Preferred Certification/Licensure: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). Registered as a Veterinary Technician in the state of Maryland and/or additional American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certifications.
Other: May consider a combination of directly related experience and education. 

Salary Range: $46,000 - $50,000 per year for Assistant/ $55,000 - $61,000 per year for Specialist

UMB is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law or policy. For assistance related to employment, please contact the Staffing department at [email protected] . 

If you anticipate needing a reasonable accommodation for a disability under the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA), during any part of the employment process, please submit a UMB Job Applicant Accommodation Request . You may also contact [email protected] . Please note that only inquiries concerning an ADA request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address.