Scientific Research In Vivo - Associate

Job Summary

The Operations Specialist – Animal Logistics is responsible for the management of oversight of animal colonies, which includes assignment of study reservations, monitoring of census levels, and coordination of routine animal monitoring.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responsible for the assignment of reservations against animals held in stock colony.
• Responsible for ensuring census levels are maintained at a suitable level which supports study demand.
• Communicates census needs or challenges with line management in a timely manner.
• Works creatively and collaboratively with stakeholders to ensure efficient and optimal use of stock animals.
• Keeps clear and precise records at all times to ensure that stock animals are used appropriately, especially with consideration of washout periods.
• Works to coordinate the acclimation/habituation of all animals for appropriate study use.
• Tracks use of stock animals such that they are used for an appropriate period of time and offers recommendations for retirement as necessary.
• High degree of computer competency (e.g., Smartsheet, PowerBI, Laboratory Information Management System).
• Responsible for all record keeping associated with stock animals.
• Ensures all records are maintained in a detailed and organized fashion such that they are inspection/client ready at any time.
• Ensures all stock animals are maintained for health and habituation needs to ensure prompt assignment to study.
• Is capable of collaborating with multiple stakeholders and troubleshoot through complex scheduling demands.
• Review documentation of functions performed as part of colony management.
• Act as a back up to for departmental scheduling, inclusive of training for staff
• Support inter-site scheduling needs.
• Coordinate and prepare animal arrival.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma, General Education Degree (G.E.D.), required. Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) or equivalent in biological science, preferred.
• Experience: Minimum 2 years of applicable CRO experience in in-vivo operations or census/inventory management.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be accepted as a satisfactory substitute for the specific education and experience listed above.
• Certification/Licensure: None, unless required by local government.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Ability to ensure that a safe working environment is maintained by observing all safety procedures and working methods by making proper use of protective clothing and equipment, and by reading, understanding, and following all safety documents issued or notified of.
• Ability to ensure the integrity of the studies and fulfill the regulatory agencies requirements by performing the activities according to the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Business Operating Procedures (BOP) and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) rules.
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include, but not limited to evenings, weekends, extended shifts, and/or extra shifts, sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work under specific time constraints.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Employees must be able to lift, move, manipulate, and/or hold heavy objects up to and including 50 pounds; this includes work materials, equipment, and/or animals.
• Must be able to perform laboratory procedures, which require, talking, hearing, standing, or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (PPE) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Work in a research environment, which requires use of sharp objects, working around mechanical parts, working with or near known or unknown toxic or caustic chemicals and/or biological hazards, exposure to fumes and airborne particles, working at noise levels ranging from moderate to loud.
• The employee regularly works with live animals with risk of exposure to allergens, zoonotic disease, and biohazards.
• The noise level in the work environment ranges from low to high depending upon the species housed.