Lab Technician

Overall Position Summary and Objectives

The Lab technician will support project development of vaccines against HERV-K envelope to treat amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Transgenic mice expressing HERV-K envelope under a neuronal promoter will be immunized with the vaccine compounds before the appearance of clinical symptoms, to test the prevention capability of the vaccines.

Deliverables:

• Perform subcutaneous mice injections, collection blood, serum, plasma samples shipping - Daily
• Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly

Work Details:

• Track and maintain database for all research activities; update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases; and record procedures performed in laboratory notebook. 1
• Collect blood and tissue samples from animals. 2
• Prepare animals for experiments. 3
• Ensure the humane treatment of animals in the laboratory. 4
• Provide technical guidance and assistance for researchers interested in well-established protocols. 5
• Provides laboratory experience needed to maintain experimental animal colonies and collect sequential colony census.
• Conduct small animal husbandry, animal handling, and specific procedures.
• Interpret genotyping results and maintain genotyping records.
• Perform genotyping PCR to maintain transgenic mouse colonies used in projects, including images of genotyping PCR gels and tabulation of genotyping results.
• Perform animal handling and specific procedures.
• Perform laboratory task in support of neurological studies in small animals.
• Manage multiple animal studies running concurrently in different phases.
• Perform laboratory and animal technical duties to include, but not limited to: weighing animals and feed, blood withdrawals, performing injections, operating behavioral equipment.
• Maintain animal colonies and organization of animal inventory; monitor procedures; maintain the amounts of animals used and animal procurement.
• Harvest and collect animal embryos, tissues, and organs.
• Prepares / monitors caging environments and animal health.
• Report any animal health, care, and/or well-being concerns to the appropriate facility management staff and facility veterinarians.
• Collaborates with veterinarians in the performance of animal surgeries.
• Prepare animals for surgery and ensure proper disposal of animal carcasses.
• Handle, dissect and euthanize animals.
• Maintains detailed and accurate records.
• Collect both in vivo and ex vivo data; collect and maintain data using various systems.
• Prepare reports for collected data which include representative data, conditions of data collection.
• Maintain integrity of the research process by following good laboratory practices including: detailed record keeping of methods, routine animal observations, data collections.
• Assists with organizing the shipment of mice to and from facility.
• Work with staff on organizing the animal shipment to and from the facility.
• Order and receive small animal shipments.
• Maintains records of animal protocols.
• Perform and maintain records of molecular biology protocols.
• Maintains laboratory stock of reagents and materials.
• Perform routine laboratory maintenance including laboratory stock of reagents and materials.
• Check current inventory in the laboratory and order appropriate animals, media, buffers, reagents, tissue samples and other required materials.
• Performs experimental procedures as well as standardized and specialized tests, exams and vaccinations.
• Conduct in vivo drug studies in animal models.
• Trains other in proper animal handing and surgical procedures.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Minimum Education

High School

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses

• Animal work
• Work with transgenic mice
• Biological samples shipping

Field of Study

• Biology

Software

• Microsoft
• Power point
• Excel

Skills

• Mice injection
• Injection vaccine to the mice
• Mice handling
• Collection mice blood, serum, plasma

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $40.00 - $45.00 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: On the road