Laboratory Animal Technician - Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research

Laboratory Animal Technician

Job ID: req4099
Employee Type: nonexempt full-time
Division: Laboratory Animal Science Program
Facility: Frederick: Ft Detrick
Location: PO Box B, Frederick, MD 21702 USA

The Frederick National Laboratory is a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) sponsored by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and operated by Leidos Biomedical Research, Inc.  The lab addresses some of the most urgent and intractable problems in the biomedical sciences in cancer and AIDS, drug development and first-in-human clinical trials, applications of nanotechnology in medicine, and rapid response to emerging threats of infectious diseases.

Accountability, Compassion, Collaboration, Dedication, Integrity and Versatility; it's the FNL way.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Laboratory Animal Sciences Program (LASP) provides exceptional quality animal care and technical support services for animal research performed at the National Cancer Institute at the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research. LASP executes this mission by providing a broad spectrum of state-of-the-art technologies and services focused on the design, generation, characterization, and application of genetically engineered and biological animal models of human disease. The Gnotobiotic Facility (GF) team within the LASP assists research efforts focused on the role of microbiota in inflammation, pathogenesis, and anti-tumoral response.

KEY ROLES/RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Laboratory Animal Technician, you will be working closely with a diverse team in a fast-paced environment on multiple microbiome research projects simultaneously.  Responsibilities include the care and technical support of germ-free and gnotobiotic mice in specialized housing equipment including flexible isolators and Biocontainment racks. Technical support includes colony management tasks and assistance with experimental studies including tumorigenesis, cancer treatment and efficacy studies under the guidance of senior staff.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Feeding and housing laboratory animals.
• Operation and maintenance of flexible film isolators and biocontainment racks.
• Preparation of supplies.
• Performing rodent colony management tasks such as breeder setup, weaning, tagging, tailing and data entry into animal colony database (TOPAZ).
• Animal health monitoring phenotypes and recording of phenotypic changes.
• Sample collections for diagnostic testing.
• Collecting and recording tumor measurements and body weights utilizing electronic instruments and databases (Studylog).
• Working with potentially hazardous chemical, and biological materials.
• This is a change-in facility.
• Work schedule may include weekend and holiday hours.

**THIS POSITION IS CONTINGENT UPON FUNDING APPROVAL** 

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

To be considered for this position, you must minimally meet the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below:

• Possession of a high school diploma.
• In addition to the education requirement, a minimum of three (3) years of progressively responsible experience.
• Any combination of education and progressively responsible technical experience which qualifies the candidate to sit for the LAT Certification Exam within 12 months of hire –or- associate degree in Life Sciences of Veterinary Technology. Foreign degrees must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency.
  • Will encourage achievement of LAT Certification, however this is not a requirement.
• Experience in animal husbandry tasks.
• Experience in colony management associated tasks.
• Ability to work in a team and communicate with management in a demanding scientific environment
• Ability to keep detailed and accurate computer records and maintain/update data in computer-based applications/databases.
• Knowledge of Standard Operating Procedures for animal facilities and the basic requirements for maintaining laboratory animals and performing scientific procedures involving animal testing and data collection.
• Ability to lift to 50 lbs. and to wear respiratory protection equipment if necessary.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security clearance.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates with these desired skills will be given preferential consideration:

• Excellent observation and organization skills.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills.
• ALAT certification preferred.
• Computer/data entry skills.

JOB HAZARDS

• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to animal(s) and/or animal material(s).
• This position is subject to working with or have potential for exposure to infectious material, requiring medical clearance and immunizations.

Commitment to Diversity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration foremployment without regard to sex, race, color, ethnicity, age, national origin,citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition,genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry,domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

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