Veterinary Research Assistant or Specialist

The University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine 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 selected candidate will fill only one of these positions commensurate with education and experience. 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.

Interested candidates may be considered for either the Veterinary Research Assistant or the Veterinary Research Specialist position provided that the candidate meets the minimum requirements for the position.

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, 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).

This position works a partially remote or fully remote schedule. Employees of UMB must be residents of Maryland, the District of Columbia, or one of the states that are contiguous to Maryland: Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

Primary Duties - 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.

Primary Duties - 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 - 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.

Experience: Two (2) years of relevant experience in a veterinary practice or research environment preferred. Previous experience handling swine and/or rabbits and/or working with preclinical toxicology in a regulated environment (GLP) is preferred.

Certification/Licensure: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) or Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) preferred. Registered as a Veterinary Technician in the state of Maryland and/or additional American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certifications are preferred.

Other: May consider a combination of directly related experience and education.

Minimum Qualifications - 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. Five (5) years of relevant experience including two (2) years of experience working in a relevant research specialization or a Bachelor's degree in a related field and three (3) years of relevant experience preferred. Two (2) years of relevant experience in a veterinary practice or research environment preferred. Previous experience handling swine and/or rabbits is preferred and/or working with preclinical toxicology in a regulated environment (GLP) is preferred.

Certification/Licensure: Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATg), Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT), or Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) certifications preferred.

Other: May consider a combination of directly related experience and education.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of appropriate handling of all species of laboratory animals position requirements.
• Ability to understand and utilize scientific/medical terminology and research theory in both oral and written communications.
• Skill in animal husbandry care and handling with variety of species, including rodents.
• Ability to perform position in compliance with all requirements, regulations, and laws.
• Ability to maintain high standards with the work being performed and maintain awareness with trends and influences.
• Assumes personal responsibility for all outcomes; makes effective and timely decisions; and learns how to effectively use technology.
• Skill in statistical interpretation and data analysis using statistical software as well as spreadsheet and database software applications.
• Ability to use measurable and verifiable information for making decisions or judgments.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbal and written thoughts, ideas, and facts. Interprets and understands written information and is able to listen attentively to verbal and non-verbal cues that lead to a deeper understanding.
• Ability to network and provide information to key groups and individuals.

Based on the status of this position, selected candidates are not eligible to participate in the Bargaining unit (Union).

Salary Range:

Assistant - $46,000 - $50,000

Specialist - $54,000 - $60,000

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.