Rodent Research Associate

IND (Neurodegenerative Diseases)

Full Time

66437BR

Job Summary

This position is critical for the proper operation and research mission of the UCSF’s Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) Animal Facility.  The purpose of this position is to provide support with the neurological assessment of our experimental animals, medical care of the animals,and to keep good documentation of this care.  The person in this position will work closely with our other technicians and the facility veterinarians in making sure that experimental and humane endpoints are properly reached and the best animal care is provided to all animals in the colony. Collaborate with IND scientific investigators, animal facility veterinarians, and other animal facility research associates academically to refine and innovate animal experimental procedures, manipulations, assessments, and research methods and biomethodology.  

This person will work closely with our other technicians in managing clinical case records for animals needing medical treatment, undergoing surgery or undergoing experimental procedures.  This person will be involved in all aspects of the animal care and use program at the animal facility.  This includes:  overseeing daily monitoring of all animals in the colony, assisting and/or leading daily neurological diagnoses of animals (training will be provided), preparing reports for leadership, importation and exportation of animal and working closely with the veterinarians to make sure that husbandry and experimental practices are executed efficiently and in accordance with all institutional rules and pertinent state and federal regulations.

The person in this position, in coordination with our other technicians, will be instrumental at leading our staff members at executing successful surgical and experimental procedures.  On occasion, this person will attend appropriate LARC (centralized animal program) and IACUC meetings as determined by the facility veterinarians.

The person in this position will have a wide range of administrative support duties.  This person will assist our technicians and our facility veterinarians in: 1.  Guaranteeing that all animal IACUC protocols remain up-to-date and are easy to use and understand by the animal care staff and investigators, 2.  Preparing animal-use reports for the facility veterinarians and IND leadership, 3.  Maintaining a well-stocked supply of surgical, medical equipment, and veterinary medicines, 4.  Assisting with the pertinent documentation relating to animal procedures as determined by the facility veterinarians, 5. Documenting all husbandry parameters (humidity, temperature, cage and room changes, etc.) that are relevant for successful inspections by our accrediting agencies, including AAALAC, USDA, CDC, and NIH, and 6.  Guaranteeing that all Animal Facility Standard Operating Procedures are up-to-date. 7. Guaranteeing experiments are concluded with correct samples collected.

Department Description

The Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (IND) at UCSF is pursuing a cutting-edge blend of basic science and clinical medicine to provide outstanding care to those suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Founded in 1999, the IND is committed to creating therapeutics that will halt diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and dementia resulting from traumatic brain injuries. The IND is poised to make serious contributions to this struggle at the frontier of neuroscience and medicine. The mission of the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases is to discover causes and develop cures for these illnesses with an innovative program of basic research and clinical medicine.

Required Qualifications

•    BA/BS with a degree in a related science and two or more years of recent, directly related work experience, utilizing the techniques or methods required by the position and demonstrating technical expertise in these areas; and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
•    Must care about laboratory animals, finding cures for neurodegenerative diseases and assisting our group in achieving our collective goals
•    Able to effectively and efficiently work well with other team-members in a high-throughput, dynamic, and physically-demanding environment
•    Able to effectively follow Standard Operating Procedures as it relates to Environmental Health and Safety procedures (i.e. proper use of Personal Protective Equipment)
•    Excellent organization, problem-solving, and verbal/written communication skills
•    Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve desired goals
•    Able to keep clear, complete and accurate records
•    Proficient in using mac and pc operating systems as well as Microsoft Office.

Preferred Qualifications

•    Familiarity with biomedical research and animal models of disease
•    AALAS certification
•    Formal training genetics, and breeding

About UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a leading university dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care. It is the only campus in the 10-campus UC system dedicated exclusively to the health sciences. We bring together the world’s leading experts in nearly every area of health. We are home to five Nobel laureates who have advanced the understanding of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, aging and stem cells.

Pride Values

UCSF is a diverse community made of people with many skills and talents. We seek candidates whose work experience or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to professionalism, respect, integrity, diversity and excellence – also known as our PRIDE values.

In addition to our PRIDE values, UCSF is committed to equity – both in how we deliver care as well as our workforce. We are committed to building a broadly diverse community, nurturing a culture that is welcoming and supportive, and engaging diverse ideas for the provision of culturally competent education, discovery, and patient care. Additional information about UCSF is available at diversity.ucsf.edu

Join us to find a rewarding career contributing to improving healthcare worldwide.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Job Code and Payroll Title

009611 SRA 3

Job Category

Research and Scientific

Bargaining Unit

University Professional Technical Employees – Research Support Professionals Unit (UPTE-RX)

Additional Shift Details

Four days from M-F and one weekend day 7:00am to 3:30pm.