GRAF Research Specialist

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 recently merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus.

Job Summary
 

Principal contribution is providing technical support for research projects occurring in the Gnotobiotics Facility (GRAF), including work on weekends. Under indirect supervision, performs moderately complex laboratory and/or research-related duties and tasks. Collects, maintains and analyzes data. Helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. May orient or coordinate the work of research support staff and students. Responsibilities include maintaining mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, setting up and performing experiments, interacting with graduate students, post-docs, fellows and other Principal Investigator (PI) laboratory staff. May provide PI training.

Responsibilities

• Maintains breeding and experimental mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, (includes tag, tail, wean and colony status records).

• Prepares materials for experimental procedures with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals.

• Performs experimental interventions with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals and assist.

• Principal Investigator group to perform experiments within the facility.

• Performs weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups.

• Assists with training PI group and other research personnel working in the GRAF.

• Assists with advanced procedures which may include anesthesia and surgery.

• Assists with facility maintenance, health checks and upkeep (equipment and supplies) and administrative support to the Director of GRAF.

• Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results. Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.

• Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures. Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory.

• 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 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 scientific field or in a field relevant to the research being conducted.

 

Experience:

• Two years of experience in a scientific animal research setting OR experience in a Gnotobiotics facility.

• Previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.

• Prior experience working with mouse colony management.

Licenses and Certifications:

• AALAS certification at LAT level or higher.

 

Preferred Competencies

• Computer knowledge and skills.

• Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills.

• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.

• 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.

• Decision making skills and ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines.

• High level of tact and discretionary judgment with regard to access of confidential material.

• 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 division.

Working Conditions

• Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities.

• Also entails standing at hoods and sitting at isolators in facility, laboratory and office environment.

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to work weekends and holidays on a rotational basis.

 

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

FLSA Status
 

Non-Exempt

Pay Frequency
 

Biweekly

Scheduled Weekly Hours
 

40

Benefits Eligible
 

Yes

Drug Test Required
 

No

Health Screen Required
 

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward .
The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected 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.

 

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.