Animal Research Technician III

Alakaina Family of Companies - Fort Sam Houston, TX

- Mid Level

Fort Sam Houston, TX

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations

About the position

The Alaka`ina Foundation Family of Companies (FOCs) is looking for an Animal Research Technician III to provide research support administration services for our government customer in Fort Sam Houston, Texas. This position involves a variety of responsibilities related to animal research, including performing surgeries, collecting physiological data, and maintaining laboratory protocols.

Responsibilities

• Assist and/or perform acute and recovery surgeries in small animals using sterile techniques
• Collect physiological data (e.g. blood pressure, heart rate, muscle strength)
• Perform cut downs for the placement of arterial and venous catheters in small animals
• Set-up, maintain and calibrate electronic physiological devices with PC based data acquisition and control systems
• Provide daily assessments on small and large animals and administer analgesics
• Euthanize animals, dissect, and harvest tissues and process them for histology, specified bioassays, and storage
• Perform routine molecular biology assays (e.g., RT-PCR, Western Blot)
• Perform microscopic analysis using multiple microscopy techniques such as fluorescence and confocal microscopy
• Maintain and organize digital archive of photomicrographs
• Perform general microbiological and cell culture methods
• Perform data collection, management, and analysis for preparation for publication
• Maintain laboratory notebooks
• Track and maintain inventory of tissue samples
• Maintain organization of laboratory areas, and maintain and order all pertinent supplies related to protocols
• Assist in submitting manuscripts, posters and abstracts to relevant journals and meetings
• Order and provide animal handling of small animals including surgical preparation
• Plan, organize, and accomplish assignments
• Provide data analysis; assist with publications, and presentations in line with research efforts
• Conduct animal laboratory research in reference to established SEP/protocol/proposal while adhering to federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations
• Assist with developing, writing, and maintenance of SOPs and protocols along with correspondence with the IRB to ensure compliance with all regulations
• Coordinate work to ensure smooth operation, proper delivery of services, and effective customer support
• Comply with all Department of Defense, U.S. Army, USAISR and other Governmental regulatory requirements with special emphasis on safety and security
• Maintain SOPs for review and approval by Capability Area Manager and monitor compliance with DoD/Army safety procedures and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA), Clinical Laboratory Improvement Program (CLIP), and the College of American Pathologist (CAP) regulations
• Other duties as assigned by Supervisor

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in biology, physiology, chemistry, or related field is required; however, animal research experience will be taken into consideration in lieu of a degree on a case-by-case basis
• Five (5) years' Experience working with small animals such as rodents, rabbits, and mice

Nice-to-haves

• Trauma related biomedical research in a DoD environment highly desired
• Some experience with benchwork is desired
• Any certification(s) through AALAS (i.e. - ALAT, LAT, and/or LATG) are a huge plus

Benefits

• Competitive salaries
• 401K plan with company match
• Medical, dental, disability, and life insurance coverage
• Tuition reimbursement
• Paid time off
• 11 paid holidays