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Senior Laboratory Animal Technician - Comparative Biology Unit, Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging

This is a grant funded position and is not eligible for severance pay. This full-time position will be Tuesday - Saturday.
 
The Comparative Biology Unit (CBU) is a 25,000-square-foot animal research facility that is fully accredited by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. The CBU has an all-inclusive clean-dirty corridor system, with anteroom extensions in some rooms. The unit offers a wide range of services, including: comprehensive animal care, transgenic rodent breeding services, veterinary surveillance, diet preparation and individualized animal dietary services, animal monitoring, surgery and necropsy. The CBU adheres to strict environmental control guidelines and complies with the Animal Welfare Act provisions; and animal welfare guidelines such as the NIH Guide of the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals standards. All animal studies are reviewed and approved by the institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.

The Animal Care Technician is responsible for:
performing those animal related responsibilities (feeding/diet assistance, experimental assistance, surgical assistance, animal health monitor and nursing, caretaking, environmental monitor, etc.) or as otherwise directed by the Manager of the Unit's centralized animal care program. The individual will perform various animal related procedures such as cage changes (including cleaning and preparing cages) ; routine and standard technical and nursing responsibilites such as feedings; room inspections; room cleanings/disinfections; pair feeds, diet preparation, animal weights, injections, bleeds, oral dosings, surgical assistance, and will be required to work directly with hazardous materials (e.g. radioactive materials, carcinogens, biohazards) in animals, as directed, in support of various animal related research projects. The individual will perform various therapeutic veterinary interventions at the direction of the Manager.
 

Qualifications

 Basic Requirements:
  • 3 years experience.
  • Certificate program in animal-related field.
  • LAT license.
  • Excel.
  • As appropriate, the individual will work with hazardous materials, such as radioactive materials (e.g. 3H, 14C), biological agents (e.g. viral and bacterial), carcinogens, etc. These responsibilities may involve administration of radionuclides, handling and processing of radioactive animals, cages and excreta, monitoring (e.g. wipe tests) and clean-up for potential contamination of related equipment and facilities. Working with and/or handling of animals (primarily mice and rats but could involve ferrets guinea pigs, rabbits or hamsters); lifting weights up to 40 pounds.
  • Must be able to read, write and understand verbal, as well as written instructions. Must be able to work under conditions of animal odors, heat and humidity from cage washing rooms, and biohazardous materials and chemicals used in research. Must be able to work with a variety of research animals, especially mice and rats. Upon proper training, must be able to euthanize animals.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • The individual must have strong interpersonal skills, be able to work independently and with a minimum of supervision. Ideally, the individual would have previous experience in a related medical, veterinary or scientific field. The position requires AALAS training, must be certified at the Technician level and should have a minimum of 3 years experience working with animals. The individual must have the following minimum experience/education:
  • For the LAT Exam, you must meet one of the following three requirement categories:
Education                                                       Work Experience

H.S. diploma or G.E.D.                   + 3 years
Any two-year A.A./A.S. Degree                     + 2.5 years
Any four-year B.A./B.S. or higher
(M.A./M.S./Ph.D./D.V.M., etc.) degree               + 2.0 years
ALAT certification plus H.S. diploma or       + 1 additional year after
G.E.D., or college or higher degree receiving ALAT certification
  • A working knowledge of animal related standards, guidelines and federal, local and state requirements is required and a working knowledge of the use of hazardous agents such as radionuclides, biological agents and carcinogens is highly desirable.
  • The candidate must successfully complete a pre-employment physical by the Tufts Occupational Health Physician and N95/PAPR fit test

Special Work Schedule Requirements:
WEEKEND AND ROTATIONAL HOLIDAY (TO ENSURE 365 COVERAGE OF CBU ANIMAL CARE) IS MANDATORY (AS DIRECTED BY THE MANAGER). THE EMPLOYEE WILL BE REQUIRED TO REPORT TO WORK AND PERFORM THEIR ASSIGNMENTS (AS DIRECTED BY THE MANAGER) SEVEN DAYS PER WEEK DURING PERIODS OF LOCAL, REGIONAL AND NATIONAL EMERGENCY, DISASTER, AND OR CRISIS.
 
 
An employee in this position must complete all appropriate background checks at the time of hire, promotion, or transfer.

Equal Opportunity Employer – minority/females/veterans/disability/sexual orientation/gender identity.