Animal Research Teaching Specialist

WHY VITALIEF?
Vitalief was formed to help mitigate the human capital epidemic the clinical trial industry is facing today. We are expanding our footprint rapidly as a value-add, innovative Research and Clinical Trials Solutions Consulting Company. As a result, we are seeking talented and enthusiastic Clinical Research professionals to join our exceptional team (as full-time, fully benefited employees) to support our clients' successful planning and execution of research and clinical trials.
Reasons to work for Vitalief:

• You can actively contribute to our clients' mission of advancing scientific discoveries that have the potential to change patients' lives for the better.
• Our PEOPLE FIRST culture prioritizes personal and professional growth for all Vitalief employees.
• We give everyone a seat at the table - we encourage innovation.
• Life/work balance that includes 20 PTO (Paid Time Off) days plus 9 paid Holidays annually.
• Other benefits include: Company paid life insurance and short / long term disability coverage; 401K retirement program; Robust healthcare plans to choose from.

Salary Range: $65,000 to $70,000 annually
Work Location: Work is 100% on-site Newark, NJ.
Job Responsibilities:

• Under the direction of the Principal Investigators (PI) within the Cell Biology and Molecular Medicine department, this Specialist will order, breed and maintain animal colonies including mice, rats, and rabbits models for the study of cardiovascular disease and aging; order and handle large animals; pre- and post-op care for rabbits, woodchucks, and pigs; monitor anesthesia status during large animal surgery; maintain the IACUC data base; assist Principle Investigators to renewal IACUC protocol; perform various research relating to animal physiology studies.
• Maintains research mouse colonies (and data) involved in cardiovascular projects, including breeding, ear notching, tail clipping, DNA extraction, PCR / genotyping, training mice on the treadmill, feeding and weighing mice on special diets.
• Schedules large animal surgeries and experiments. Performs culture tests in the O.R and keeps track of controlled drugs.
• Performs physiology experiments on large animals (with additional training), including TTC, vascular stiffness measurement; and keeps detailed records of procedures and experiments.
• Performs physiology experiments on rodents, including exercise capacity test, glucose/insulin tolerance test, behavioral study tests; and keeps detailed records of procedures and experiments.
• Provides general administrative support to the research program run by the PI.

Required Skills:

• Master's Degree plus one (1) year experience; OR a Bachelor's Degree in a relevant science from an accredited college, plus two (2) years of related research experience.
• Must have at least two (2) years related experience in large animals handling and assisting large animal surgery.
• Must have experience with behavioral testing in rodents.
• Willing to work with animals, including rodents, rabbits, woodchucks, and pigs.
• Excellent knowledge and demonstrated expertise in use of document processing and data management software.
• Possess good organization and documentation skills and must demonstrate good communication skills in English.
• Ability to analyze research data using Students t-test (Excel) and ANOVA (Graphpad Prism).
• Comfortable working in a multicultural, multilingual environment.
• Ability to understand research hypotheses, scientific models, and proposed research methods sufficiently well to discuss with scientific staff and propose improvements.
• Comfortable working quickly and accurately in a stressful environment with multiple deadlines and varying priorities.
• Must be continuously accessible by email and must be able to work during evenings, weekends, and holidays to review drafts of research documents, respond to questions from trainees, and oversee ongoing grant, animal protocol and manuscript development.

• Available to work flexible hours, including overtime on short notice and possible weekends and holidays to meet strict deadlines.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: This position involves prolonged standing, walking and sitting, as well as use of research instruments. Some stooping, reaching, climbing and bending. Occasional lifting of 20 pounds to a height of 6½ feet. Hearing and speech capabilities necessary to communicate with other researchers and staff in person, on the telephone and by e-mail. Vision capable of viewing computer monitors, charts, forms, text and numbers for prolonged periods.
IMPORTANT NOTE:Vitalief partners with clients such as major medical centers and academic institutions that requires all on-site resources such as prospective Vitalief consultants to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated for Covid-19; inoculated annually for Influenza; and successfully pass a Mantoux Tuberculin Skin Test (TST) for Mycobacterium Tuberculosis.
#LI-DNI