Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant
Johns Hopkins - Baltimore, MD
posted 3 months ago
About the position
The Johns Hopkins University Department of Biology is seeking to hire a part-time Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant who will ensure technical and aquatic animal husbandry services at the JHU Department of Biology. The primary responsibilities of this role include the provision of animal husbandry to aquatic species, specifically zebrafish, which may be utilized in biomedical research. The assistant will also provide welfare and technical assistance in support of various research initiatives. This position requires the individual to work independently on routine tasks, perform sanitation and husbandry functions, and conduct work in accordance with several policies, including those set by the Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) and the standard operating procedures for the animal facility. The Aquatic Animal Facility Assistant must be available to work on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday mornings from 8 AM to 12 PM, with routine work hours dictated by the institutional research schedule. The role also requires availability to work on University Holidays, with holiday work scheduled on a rotating basis. The assistant will lead husbandry staff, such as student workers, in feeding and daily maintenance protocols to ensure consistency in care. Reliability in attendance is crucial to ensure that the animals receive the appropriate level of care. In addition to feeding and observing aquatic species, the assistant will monitor environmental conditions, such as water quality and pH levels, in accordance with established SOPs. They will also ensure that all procedures and practices involving animal care are appropriate for maintaining ACUC accreditation. The assistant may assist in experimental planning and logistics, participate in ongoing employee training programs, and adhere to equipment sanitation and sterilization schedules. Accurate maintenance of records, logbooks, and databases is also a key responsibility. The successful candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, demonstrate effective communication in English, and exhibit good leadership and team-building abilities. Other duties may include cleaning aquarium tanks, handling animals safely, and coordinating the use of aquatic procedure areas.
Responsibilities
- Provide animal husbandry to aquatic species (zebrafish) and perform husbandry room activities including feeding.
- Observe and report any abnormalities in animals, equipment, or facilities to the floor supervisor, investigators, or building managers.
- Perform husbandry and environmental monitoring (e.g., water quality, pH, conductivity) in accordance with established SOPs.
- Ensure compliance with animal care procedures to maintain ACUC accreditation of the facilities.
- Assist in experimental planning and logistics when requested, including sperm freezing and breeding programs.
- Participate in ongoing employee training programs.
- Maintain records, logbooks, databases, and other project records appropriately.
- Recommend changes in operational procedures to increase efficiency or effectiveness.
- Clean dirty aquarium tanks and deliver tanks for cage wash activities.
- Safely handle and restrain animals for observation or minor procedures.
Requirements
- High School Diploma or graduation equivalent.
- Associate's Degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, or Biology preferred.
- One year of related experience in animal husbandry or a similar field.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with facility users.
- Effective communication skills in English, both oral and written.
- Demonstrated leadership, team building, and management skills.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with aquatic species, particularly zebrafish.
- Knowledge of animal care and husbandry practices.
- Familiarity with environmental monitoring techniques for aquatic systems.
Benefits
- Part-time position with flexible scheduling options.
- Opportunity to gain experience in a research environment.
- Potential for additional weekday coverage if needed.
