Core Facility Research Specialist 2 - Research Lab

University of Miami•Miami, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Core Facility Research Specialist 2 executes complex research protocols in the performance of research activities within revenue generating Shared Resource (SR) core facilities. The incumbent functions as a liaison between the SR Director, the Research Lab Supervisor and Research staff for laboratory and equipment maintenance, compliance, ordering, and maintaining inventory records. The incumbent researches, beta tests and assists in development of new services, platforms or equipment that the core is evaluating as candidates for implementation and incorporation in the SR’s menu of services, and interacts with users (Investigators, Trainees and Staff) in a professional, customer-service oriented manner. The Core Facility Research Specialist in the Cancer Modeling Shared Resource at the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center will be responsible for providing animal care following standardized laboratory procedures in research settings under the direction of Dr. Bilbao. This individual will also provide support to research staff, by assisting with routine and specialized animal and laboratory procedures, demonstrating initiative and commitment to the upkeep of the facility, while recording data in a consistent, accurate, timely and legible manner. This person will also assist in the design and performance of scientific research.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in relevant field required
Minimum 1 year of relevant experience required
Learning Agility: Ability to learn new procedures, technologies, and protocols, and adapt to changing priorities and work demands.
Teamwork: Ability to work collaboratively with others and contribute to a team environment.
Technical Proficiency: Skilled in using office software, technology, and relevant computer applications.
Communication: Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills for interacting with colleagues and stakeholders.
Bachelor’s degree in related field, equivalent experience will also be considered. Any appropriate combination of relevant education, experience and/or certifications may be considered.
Mechanical ability and dexterity when performing the different animal-related techniques.
Skill in completing assignments accurately and with attention to detail.
Detail-oriented.
Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress.
Ability to maintain quality, safety, and/or infection control standards.
Ability to understand and follow specific instructions and procedures.
Ability to safely use cleaning equipment and supplies.
Computer literacy.
Knowledge of the use and maintenance of laboratory facilities and/or equipment.
Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, and techniques.
Ability to establish dosages and administer drugs to animals.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to animal husbandry.
Ability to establish and/or maintain veterinary/animal husbandry records.
Knowledge of supplies, equipment, and/or services ordering and inventory control.
Knowledge of laboratory operations and/or procedures.
Knowledge of sterile procedures.
Ability to perform routine maintenance and repairs on veterinary and/or animal husbandry facilities and equipment.
Strong desire to learn
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
He or she is expected to interact with a variety of staff (facility team, users, and other related facilities) in a professional, polite, and positive attitude.
Excellent English (both verbal and written) required.
Ability to work independently and in a collaborative environment.
Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.
Commitment to the University’s core values.
Ability to work in an interdisciplinary team under the direction of the Director of the Facility.
Ability to perform other duties as assigned.

Nice To Haves

American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level is preferred and will be strongly encouraged, or should be obtained within 12 months of hire.
Experience with rodents is highly desired.

Responsibilities

Assists in the operation of sophisticated scientific equipment.
Assists in the development of new core procedures.
Assists in ensuring the lab adheres to regulatory policies.
Reviews laboratory results and maintains records using appropriate lab notebook or database entry.
Follows SOPs (Standard Operating Protocols).
Assists in the development and testing of new procedures or applications.
Train other SR staff and users on procedures or applications.
Evaluates inventory of supplies and reagents, communicate order needs, place orders and verify receipts. Inventory and manage stock as received.
Assists in performing QA/QC and maintenance of laboratory equipment, including making minor repairs or communicating with service engineers as needed.
Possess the computational skills necessary to acquire proficiency in new software programs, cloud-based tools, online webforms and databases.
Displays excellent record-keeping skills for all laboratory work and client interactions.
Keeps abreast of current publications relative to methods, techniques, and developments within the area of research.
Ensure laboratory and animal rooms are kept clean and organized.
Maintain lab, storage areas, and treatment rooms daily including sweeping and mopping floors; sanitizes equipment and instruments according to established procedures.
Monitors inventory of equipment, animals and supplies and places orders in a timely fashion.
Receive and verify shipments against purchase orders, bills, and other documents; stores animal feed and other lab supplies in a neat and orderly manner; rotates feed as required to ensure freshness; monitors feed supplies to ensure adequate availability.
Provides food, water, and basic husbandry care for a small animal species.
Receives and prepares animals for examination and downstream procedures like modeling and imaging.
Participates in creating mouse models of disease (including injections, surgeries), non-invasive imaging of mice as well as behavioral monitoring and sample collection and analysis.
Observes health conditions and behaviors of animals and reports any disease or abnormal behavior.
Observes animals daily to assess health, environmental conditions, and social environment; monitors animals for impact of research and advises team members/veterinary staff of the same.
Schedules and performs laboratory work based on project priorities to meet deadlines including performing pre-surgical treatments under a researcher's direction, identification of the correct animal and administration of drugs at the proper dosages; preparing animal for surgical procedures according to established sterile standards, and assists in complex surgical procedures; maintaining and sterilizing equipment; supporting all aspects of colony management and associated technical procedures, like preparation and administration of compounds (intravenous, oral gavage, intraperitoneal), genotyping, as well as non-invasive imaging of mice; collecting biological samples (e.g., blood, tissues) and participate in their analysis.
Facilitates team workflows in collaboration with team members and researchers to ensure that tasks, priorities, and goals are completed and coordinated with management.
Help to develop, adapt and implement new animal-related procedures.
Downloads, enters experimental data and maintains quality assurance including maintenance of cage cards, animal histories, and other records as required, including the collection and analysis of data for experimental purposes and quality control.
Assists in maintaining laboratory documentation as required per established guidelines and industry standards.
Also contributes to report writing and graphical presentation of data when required.
Practices safety, environmental, and/or infection control methods like sterilizing laboratory equipment and when obtaining laboratory samples.
May train or guide the work of students and other employees.
Assist with lab management duties; ensure equipment is operated and maintained according to manufacturer's instructions; ensure supplies are adequate for the work to be performed.
Perform other duties as requested.