RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II - Breeding

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Job Summary

Perform a variety of technical duties involved in basic research through advanced breeding colony management.

Special Conditions of Employment

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;

• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun and Tue-Sat shifts;

• Must be able to work on rotating on call duties after hours and on weekends.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed.  Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;

• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);

• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);

• Periodic physical examinations including respiratory fit tests);

• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure of any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

Work Performed

Breeding Services

• Manages breeding colonies with the general goal to provide healthy, genetically well-defined mice that are suitable for research in an efficient and cost-effective manner and serves as liaison and expert in the field for rodent colony management:

• Researches mouse strains genotypes and phenotypes to develop the best strategies for setting up and monitoring breeding and optimize colony production.

• Develops timelines in regards to colony production for core investigators and delivers animal subjects to core investigators for experimental use based on their needs.

• Tracks pedigrees of strains and develops strategy for strict genetic quality control including managing and preventing genetic contamination and genetic drift.

• Manages weaning of colonies for research.

• Communicates with core investigators regarding their lines and study needs and informs on progress of breeding colony management.

• Communicates with Breeding Core manager regarding censuses, line specific concerns, and maintenance of lines.

• Researches white papers in regards to current techniques in breeding, cryopreservation, PCR, genotyping, phenotyping, superovulation, and collection of gametes from donor mice.

• Sets up instruments for PCR (thermal cycler, electrophoresis, gel camera) and associated media such as microscopy, sperm analysis (visual and computerized), operation and maintenance of liquid nitrogen freezers, anesthesia machines, instrument cleaning and sterilization tattoo machine.

• Performs tail biopsies, ear punch biopsies, ear punching/tagging, rodent tattooing, blood collection for genotyping, as well as organ and fecal collections for investigators.

• Maintains inventory of animals, ensures mouse order fulfillment and does forecasting for PIs.

• Performs on-call requirements as assigned which include weekend and holiday rotations.

Technical Services

• Assists in and performs a variety of complex technical activities involved in research support and in the care of research and production colonies.
• Determines and sets up instruments, materials, and apparatuses; operates laboratory equipment required for specific tests.
• Prepares culture media, chemicals, reagents, and solutions related to laboratory procedures.
• Maintains sufficient inventory of materials, supplies, and equipment for performance of duties; cleans and maintains laboratory equipment.

Training

• Conducts and helps maintain training program for DLAR and scientific staff.
• Reviews work of lower level laboratory personnel within designated areas and assists in training new personnel.
• Participates in outreach with research laboratories through brown bag seminars, Mouse IACUC Workshops, and others as needed.

Budget and Recharges

• Performs responsible tracking and submission of service requests invoices and recharges to the breeding core manager and others parties.

Record Keeping

• Maintains appropriate documentations for all duties in accordance with all applicable departmental, institutional, local, state and federal laws, regulations, policies, guidelines and SOPs, and based on contemporary professional standards.

Professional Conduct and Behavior

• Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties and rendering services to the scientific community, especially as they relate to customer service, attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback.
• Maintains professional standards and adheres to all federal, state and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while when performing job duties.
• Fosters teamwork and collegiality between the various groups of DLAR and scientific community.

Others

• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the supervisor based on operational needs.

Skills

DLAR Basic Skills:

• Clinical observations & evaluations of animal health status
• Assist in surgery
• Anesthetize, catheterize, and intubate a variety of animals
• Proficient at basic rodent technical skills (IP, SQ, IV injections, blood collection, etc.)
• Administer daily treatments and medications
• Basic animal restraint techniques
• Basic diagnostic lab techniques
• Basic radiograph techniques
• Participate in enrichment plan

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Work generally requires a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other directly related scientific field.

Experience

None required aboveeducation/training requirement. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Job Code: 00000951 RESEARCH TECHNICIAN II
Job Level: 08

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