Zebrafish Facility Technician I - Developmental Biology

About the role

Maintains zebrafish facility operations by following standard protocols to ensure optimal fish health and equipment functionality. Responsibilities include monitoring environmental conditions, recording water quality parameters, feeding fish, maintaining nursery systems, sanitizing tanks, and operating cleaning equipment.

Responsibilities

• Records daily light, temperature and humidity controls.
• Records water quality which includes pH, conductivity, ammonia levels, and nitrate levels.
• Performs feedings of the adult and baby fish.
• Maintains and harvests saltwater rotifers and stocks young zebrafish larvae on nursery system.
• Labels fish tanks.
• Washes and cleans/sterilizes tanks and other equipment.
• Operates cleaning equipment including washer and autoclave.
• Receives and stores materials and supplies.
• Maintains close surveillance of fish health, reporting signs of illness/problems to facility supervisor.
• Participates in training, continuing education.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Requires extensive safety training.
• Alternative work schedules.
• On-Call.
• Requires protective devices.
• Exposure to animals.

Education

• Required Qualifications: High school diploma or equivalent high school certification.

Skills

• Animal Care.
• Animal Handling.
• Aquaculture.
• Communication.
• Detail-Oriented.
• Interpersonal Communication.
• Laboratory Techniques.
• Skill Development.
• Water Quality Monitoring.

Benefits

• Personal: Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness: Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• Family: 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.