GRAF Animal Technologist

About The Department

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at the University of Chicago supports animal research by ensuring humane care and proper use of all laboratory animals. It oversees all research animals on campus, manages six facilities and a business office, and includes husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, and finance/administration. ARC is part of the Office of Shared Research Facilities, which also manages BSD core facilities. The Gnotobiotics Facility maintains germ-free animal colonies in film isolators and supports BSD investigators by providing breeding, colony management, and experimental services through specialized gnotobiotics staff.

Job Summary

The job provides clinical research laboratories with technical support. Works within defined processes and procedures to assist in specialty research potentially involving animals, MRI technologies, and histology. Completes work with a moderate degree of supervision. The GRAF Animal Technologist supports investigators and research programs involving animal models. This position is responsible for the care, handling, and health maintenance of germ-free animals housed in specialized film isolators within the Gnotobiotics Research Animal Facility (GRAF).

Responsibilities

• Performs animal health checks daily and cage change for experimental film isolators.
• Affords assistance with experimental supply preparation.
• Affords assistance to research specialists with experimental interventions.
• Prepares weekly film isolator cultures.
• Prepares stock materials for autoclave processing and sterilization cylinders for isolator stocking.
• Rewraps filters on sterilization cylinders, process BT-Sure indicators.
• Checks cultures daily, prepares Chlorine Dioxide, processes autoclave cycles, assists with facility sanitation.
• Prepares study-related documentation, such as protocol worksheets, procedural manuals, adverse event reports, institutional review board documents, or progress reports.
• Prepares quality and safety control measures for the laboratory, such as checks of equipment, temperature control, and documentation of quality improvement projects.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education

• Minimum Qualifications: Vocational training, apprenticeships or the equivalent experience in related field (not typically required to have a four-year degree).
• Work Experience: Knowledge and skills developed through 2-5 years of work experience in a related job discipline.
• Preferred Qualifications: Experience working with rodent colonies in an academic research environment strongly preferred. AALAS certification at any level strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Computer knowledge and skills such as Word and Excel.
• Availability for weekend and holiday schedules as part of a shared rotation for animal surveillance.
• Good written, verbal and organizational skills.
• Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.
• Must be detailed and organized and respect confidentiality.