Lab Animal Tech Assistant

UMBC•Baltimore, MD

1d•$21 - $26•Onsite

About The Position

The Rita Rossi Colwell Center at the Aquaculture Research Center (ARC) houses research animals for the IMET Faculty. This position is crucial for supporting animal health and welfare and ongoing research projects. The role involves ensuring animals are properly fed, life support systems are functioning correctly, water quality parameters are maintained within established limits, and accurate records are kept. The position also requires maintaining a clean and organized facility, routine weekend work, and on-call duties.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED
Six months in a laboratory animal facility supporting a research project similar to the type being recruited for.
Experience in animal husbandry.
Acceptable documentation upon hire showing identity and U.S. citizenship or authorization to work.

Nice To Haves

B.S. degree preferably in Biology, Environmental Science, Aquaculture or related field.
Experience in aquaculture, aquatic animal husbandry, and aquarium maintenance.
Experience in an aquatic animal research operation.

Responsibilities

Understand and perform routine tasks in ARC, including feeding routines for fish and invertebrates.
Prepare batches of artificial saltwater.
Determine water quality, observe data, and make corrective actions.
Monitor controllers for dissolved oxygen, pH, ORP, salinity, conductivity, and temperature.
Clean floors, systems, countertops, spaces, and equipment to meet facility standards.
Care for and feed animals in the zebrafish room, including harvesting artemia, feeding zebrafish, and removing mortalities.
Observe organism feeding responses.
Perform routine maintenance and cleaning in the Zebrafish Room (e.g., scrubbing glass aquaria tanks, siphoning glass aquaria, cleaning tank covers, scrubbing rack tanks after removing fish, cleaning rack tank baffles, replacing tank screens with baffles, and mopping wet floors).
Maintain proper documentation on systems.
Review and update SOPs, as needed, in consultation with the IMET veterinarian and ARC Manager/Assistant Manager.
Assist researchers and the ARC Veterinarian with animal care relocation, weighing, and biopsies as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.