In Vivo Training Senior Specialist, Rare Disease Translational Center

The Jackson Laboratory•Bar Harbor, ME

20h•Onsite

About The Position

The JAX Rare Disease Translational Center (RDTC) is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented full-time Senior Training Specialist for their In Vivo Technician group at The Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. This role is responsible for performing a variety of animal-related activities and trainings, including hands-on and didactic animal use training for RDTC in vivo technicians. It offers an opportunity for experienced associates to expand leadership skills and phenotyping capabilities in rare disease research. The JAX RDTC's mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community to improve human health, leveraging JAX’s unique research environment to translate biological discovery into clinical action. The center collaborates with foundations and researchers to understand disease mechanisms, identify therapeutic targets, and assess drug efficacy in mouse models. The position is a key contributor to program evolution, optimizing vivarium resources, piloting new workflows, and fostering continuous improvement within QC and training frameworks. Applicants with behavioral/phenotyping experience are prioritized.

Requirements

BS degree in applicable field of study and 3 years applicable work experience in a laboratory/animal care setting; or 5+ years applicable work experience in a laboratory/animal care setting.
Minimum of 4 years of experience in training biomethods techniques.
Must be able to train on all basic biomethods such as handling (i.e. restraint, ear notch, clinical observations, body weights, tail tipping), dosing (i.e. PO, SC, IP, IV), blood collection (i.e. cardiac, RO, submandibular, tail tip), and/or necropsies.
Competency in biomethods and/or collecting tissues that are appropriate for the RDTC research activities.
Must be able to develop new procedures in conjunction with the Associate Director, Pre-Clinical Operations and the veterinary staff.
Ability to coordinate and perform multiple tasks utilizing strong prioritization skills and advanced attention to detail, while understanding project principles and technical requirements.
Proven experience using multiple technical applications including word processing, database management, spreadsheets, graphics and presentation software, email and other office technologies.
Possess a strong attention to detail along with patience and flexibility to adjust teaching approaches and techniques that accommodate students with different capabilities, skill levels and levels of confidence.

Nice To Haves

Experience with online learning systems and general database applications is a plus.
Behavioral/phenotyping experience.

Responsibilities

Trains staff using multiple teaching styles and a hands-on approach to competency and proficiency levels of basic and advanced biomethods and/or necropsy skills.
Monitor and address individual performance of staff as measured by defined metrics and other relevant factors to ensure that each individual contributes fully to the team effort.
Documents when training of staff has occurred, when retraining will need to happen and proof that competency/proficiency was achieved by the staff member.
Ensure documentations are easily accessible by team members and available for audits.
Schedule training and testing of staff as needed.
Monitor and address individual performance of direct reports as measured by defined metrics and other relevant factors to ensure that each individual is developing to fully support the team.
Maintain detailed records of performance and share progress with individual direct reports routinely.
Develop appropriate recognition of staff achievements.
Implement corrective, early intervention measures for poor performance or underperformance.
Discipline staff as needed on a timely basis.
Resolve personnel problems within the team or with other managers within the group in a professional, consistent and timely manner which minimizes impact on customer experience and fosters strong team morale.
Performs basic/advanced biomethods such as handling, dosing, biosample collection and in life measurements as part of the Training Program.
Assists Study Directors and Project Managers to schedule appropriated trained staff for study tasks and reassign tasks when Technologist call out.
Serve as a key contributor to program evolution, driving the optimization of vivarium resources, piloting new workflows, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement within the QC and training frameworks.
Other duties as assigned.