Lab Animal Technician Asst I

University of Rochester•Hutchison, KY

1d•$17 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive. This is a fundamental task in the lab which uses these ants as primary study organisms; it takes a considerable amount of time, requires consistency and attention to detail.

Requirements

BS/BA preferred
Prior exposure to insects, enough to know the candidate is not entomophobic preferred

Nice To Haves

Prior knowledge of care for invertebrates preferred

Responsibilities

Technician will handle the feeding, tagging, and maintenance of >100 colonies of ants.
Will involve reception of feeder insects (crickets), feeding and spot-cleaning of all colonies 2-3x per week, and preparation of new nests for routine nest changes.
Insect feeding and cage cleaning.
3x weekly feeding of stock colonies, removal of refuse, inspection of colony health.
Includes feeding caterpillars (April-September).
Sugar cubes twice a month throughout the year.
New insect cage preparation.
Involves fixing old cages, reinforcing new ones during April-October.
Throughout the year, preparing individual containers (deli cups) for individual wasps
Reception and maintenance of feeder insects (caterpillars).
Involves unpacking and feeding of newly arrived feeder caterpillars stocks (April- September)
Marking of newly eclosed insects for all studies in the lab.
Paint marking of new wasps on a weekly basis (April- October).
Washing of small insect containers, glassware and other dishes.
Weekly washing of cage water vials and glassware and autoclaving of cleaned glassware when appropriate.
Ordering, reception and putting away of lab deliveries.