Breeding Colony Tech I

Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/10

Job Summary:

Performs daily activities required to maintain genetically engineered mouse colonies in a centralized breeding core for the Center for Comparative Medicine. Duties include establishing breeding units, weaning, sample collection and maintenance of breeding records.

Specific Responsibilities:

Performs daily maintenance of transgenic breeding colonies:

• Assess cages for new litters, mortalities, and required weaning.
• Wean pups.
• Establish breeding cages.
• Perform animal identification.
• Collect and submit tissue samples for genotyping (tail biopsies, ear punch biopsies, or other as required).
• Perform euthanasia of animals.
• Report animal health issues to veterinary staff.
• Transfer and receive animals to/from investigators.
• Communicate with laboratory personnel to ensure that service requests are completed in a timely manner..

Maintain accurate colony records using cage cards, colony management software (Transnetyx Colony) and vivarium census software (AOPS).

• Maintain records of all breeding and holding cages.
• Record all births and deaths.
• Record all weanings.
• Record genotyping sampling and identification.
• Transfer and receive animals to/from investigators.
• Communicate with researchers to ensure colony health and information is accurate.

Provide support for veterinary and rodent technical services programs:

• May assist veterinary staff with rodent treatments, including administration of oral, topical, and/or injectable medications.
• May assist with some rodent technical services based on training and skillset under the direction of Lead or Supervisor.

Training

• Attend CCM-sponsored training sessions and participate in hands-on technical skills training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications: (Education, experience, and any other certifications or clearances)

• A high school diploma or its equivalent is required along with a minimum of 2 years of experience as an animal care or research technician working with rodents in a laboratory animal facility or equivalent work or educational experience.
• AALAS certified ALAT or equivalent combination of relevant work or education experience (e.g., AA, AS, BS).

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of e-mail software
• Attention to detail

Preferred Qualifications: (Education and experience)

• Prior experience performing rodent ear tagging, ear notching and tail biopsies.).

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Experience working with large mouse colonies (>100 cages).

Target hiring range for this position will be between $21.00 to $26.00 per hour. Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

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We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you're interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

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