Responsibilities:

• Reads and follows experimental protocols. As appropriate within assigned working area, works with more senior mentor with any questions, training, or other learning requirements to successfully complete assigned work.
• Able to work independently or with a more senior mentor, conducts, and evaluates experiments, assays, or other laboratory activities of low to moderate complexities.
• Calculates, compiles, and communicates data to the Core leadership or internal customer.
• Performs quality assurance on all assigned activities per procedures or SOPs.
• Performs intake functions for the laboratory such as logging of samples and service requests, and the dissemination of basic information to users (i.e., minimum requirements for services, costs, etc.).
• Records work accurately and completely.
• Maintains established laboratory inventories, ordering materials as necessary
• Prepares and operates equipment for experiments, assays, measurements, etc. 
• Assists in performing minor equipment repairs, according to manufacturer and Core guidelines. Cleans and performs general maintenance on equipment, according to established protocols.
• Supports the execution and facilitation of specialized services.
• Abides by all Institute, sponsor and federal rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific duties in the Gnotobiotics Facility / Hajjar Lab will include:

• Provides custodial care, fresh feed, and fresh water to gnotobiotic mice according to standard operating procedures, including preparation and autoclaving of supplies
• Maintains animal colonies, including animal procurement, colony/line maintenance, and cage inventory
• Performs established mouse microbial transplantation assays and tissue harvests
• Performs quality control procedures to monitor sterility
• Organizes and maintains detailed notes on all procedures and autoclave readouts

Education:

• Associate's degree in a  relevant scientific field required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related field of study strongly preferred.

Certifications:

• None required.

Complexity of Work:

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• Entry Level -  Two years' of relevant experience may substitute for Associate's degree.
• After selection and placement into this position, up to six months of on-the-job training required to become familiar with laboratory techniques, procedures and research protocols.
• Candidates with at least one year experience in a research or related laboratory environment preferred.
• Strong preference for candidates with at least one year of experience handling mice in the research environment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift and transport supplies, equipment, and/or animals weighing  up to 50 pounds; frequent standing, bending, and walking; must be able to tolerate unpleasant odors, sights, animal bites, and scratches
• May be required to stand for long periods of time
• Normal physical requirements include good near visual acuity and color acuity

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.
• Personal protective equipment in the Gnotobiotics facility requires employees to wear a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) which requires medical clearance.

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