Senior Animal Specialist - Center for Discoverr & Innovation

About the role

The Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) was established by Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) as an academic basic and translational research enterprise to rapidly translate science innovation to the clinic and improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease and other acute and chronic diseases. Since its inception in 2019, CDI has grown to 39 labs, over 200 scientists and allied personnel, supported by 78 NIH and DoD grants and more than 87 other grants and contracts. Areas of expertise include genomics, epigenetics, drug resistance, stem cell biology, drug discovery, diagnostics and biomarker development, rheumatology and pharmacology. The Senior Animal Technician Specialist will conduct highly specialized and technically complex experiments using small animal models (rodents and rabbits) of infection with various BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 pathogens, provide technical support for BSL‑3 labs, and work in ABSL‑2 and ABSL‑3 facilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform various research and technical operations relative to ongoing projects involving bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens (evaluation of therapeutics, development of novel diagnostics, studies in pathogenesis and virulence).
• Prepare BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 pathogen cultures.
• Assist in analysis of host immune response using flow cytometry and other immunological methods.
• Perform laboratory analytical assays such as real‑time PCR, ELISA and western blots.
• Set up, maintain, sterilize, and decontaminate devices for aerosol infection, homogenizers, and other equipment.
• Autoclave waste materials and clean biosafety cabinets and equipment.
• Train new personnel to work under high‑level biocontainment (includes basic laboratory bench work and animal studies).
• Ensure staff are trained and evaluated on their knowledge of and adherence to compliance policies and procedures specific to their jobs.
• Understand and adhere to HMH CDI compliance standards.
• Keep abreast of all pertinent federal and state regulations, laws and policies as they exist and as they change.
• Conduct infections via aerosol, intranasal, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intradermal and subcutaneous routes; administer intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections of therapeutics and/or anesthesia to rodents and other small animals.
• Perform necropsy to isolate organs, evaluate tissue burdens, and isolate single‑cell suspensions from infected tissue.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science.
• Experience in infectious diseases.
• Comprehensive knowledge in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
• Excellent organization and record‑keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are critical.
• All candidates must enroll and receive clearance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) Security Risk Assessment.
• Must retain clearance to work with HHS Tier 1 Select Agents and be enrolled in the Select Agent Program Personnel Reliability Program.

Qualifications

• CDC approved for work with select agents.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience working with animal infection models under Biosafety Level 3 containment.
• Preferred licensure/certification: American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Management Certification.

Benefits

In addition to compensation for full‑time and part‑time (20+ hours/week) positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

Pay

Minimum rate of $24.34 hourly. HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market‑competitive total rewards package. The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non‑discriminatory factors, including but not limited to labor market data. Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness. Experience, years of relevant work experience, education and certifications level, skills demonstrated, geographic location, internal equity, budget and grant funding may impact the pay that can be offered. Some jobs may also be eligible for performance‑based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.