Special Services Program Sr. Technician

Department
 

BSD ARC - Strategic Operations

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
 

The job provides clinical research laboratories with technical support. Works within defined processes and procedures to assist in specialty research potentially involving animals, MRI technologies, and histology. Completes work with a limited degree of supervision. Principal contribution is providing technical/procedural knowledge relevant to the daily operations of the Special Services Program. Under limited direction from the Special Services Program Supervisor, performs basic technical and/or research-related projects for investigators who use research animals. Ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Participates in new procedures within the unit as required. Interacts with graduate students, post-docs, fellows and other Principal Investigator (PI) laboratory staff. Provides PI training and supports the unit administratively when needed.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic experimental procedures with research animals in conjunction with investigative staff, performs medical treatment and assists principal investigator group with performing experiments within the animal facilities.     

• Performs techniques pertinent to animal research such as but not limited to: breeding schemes, sample collection, ear tagging, tail snips, weaning, etc.

• Assists with the upkeep of special supplies and equipment (inventory and ordering) used by the unit and provides administrative support to the unit.

• Participates in the weekly collection and shipment of Transnetyx samples.

• Develops standard operating procedures for new technologies introduced into the unit in conjunction with the program manager.

• Under a limited degree of supervision, provides technical support to clinical research studies.

• Works within defined processes and procedures to handle and process research samples and specimens. Prepares samples and specimens for testing and examination. Assists in analyzing samples and specimens.

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

• Maintains data security by monitoring access to electronic files, rooms, and cabinets where data is stored. Collaborates with the director, administrator and operational staff to maintain and improve efficient systems for proposal preparation, staff training, and project management. Provides expertise to produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.

• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to the research being conducted OR Associates Degree with previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.

Experience:

• Experience in a scientific animal research setting.
• Technical experience working with rodent colonies.

Licenses and Certifications:

• AALAS certification at the LAT level or higher.

Preferred Competencies

• 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 interact with all levels of staff within the division.
• 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.

Working Conditions

• Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing at hoods in facility, laboratory and office environment.

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
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> 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.

Department
 

BSD ARC - Strategic Operations

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
 

The job provides clinical research laboratories with technical support. Works within defined processes and procedures to assist in specialty research potentially involving animals, MRI technologies, and histology. Completes work with a limited degree of supervision. Principal contribution is providing technical/procedural knowledge relevant to the daily operations of the Special Services Program. Under limited direction from the Special Services Program Supervisor, performs basic technical and/or research-related projects for investigators who use research animals. Ensures compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives, and mandates. Participates in new procedures within the unit as required. Interacts with graduate students, post-docs, fellows and other Principal Investigator (PI) laboratory staff. Provides PI training and supports the unit administratively when needed.

Responsibilities

• Performs basic experimental procedures with research animals in conjunction with investigative staff, performs medical treatment and assists principal investigator group with performing experiments within the animal facilities.     

• Performs techniques pertinent to animal research such as but not limited to: breeding schemes, sample collection, ear tagging, tail snips, weaning, etc.

• Assists with the upkeep of special supplies and equipment (inventory and ordering) used by the unit and provides administrative support to the unit.

• Participates in the weekly collection and shipment of Transnetyx samples.

• Develops standard operating procedures for new technologies introduced into the unit in conjunction with the program manager.

• Under a limited degree of supervision, provides technical support to clinical research studies.

• Works within defined processes and procedures to handle and process research samples and specimens. Prepares samples and specimens for testing and examination. Assists in analyzing samples and specimens.

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

• Maintains data security by monitoring access to electronic files, rooms, and cabinets where data is stored. Collaborates with the director, administrator and operational staff to maintain and improve efficient systems for proposal preparation, staff training, and project management. Provides expertise to produce documentation of the questionnaire development process, data collection methods, sampling designs, and decisions related to sample statistical weighting.

• 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 5-7 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

---
Certifications:

---

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to the research being conducted OR Associates Degree with previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.

Experience:

• Experience in a scientific animal research setting.
• Technical experience working with rodent colonies.

Licenses and Certifications:

• AALAS certification at the LAT level or higher.

Preferred Competencies

• 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 interact with all levels of staff within the division.
• 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.

Working Conditions

• Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing at hoods in facility, laboratory and office environment.

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
 

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required
 

No

Posting Statement
 

Applicant Inquiry Form. <span>Applicant Inquiry Form</span> 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.