Research Engineering/Scientist Associate II – Zebrafish Research & Aquatics Specialist

The University of Texas at Austin•Austin, TX

30d•Onsite

About The Position

The Garner Lab (www.rikkigarnerlab.org) in the Department of Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin seeks a reliable and highly organized Zebrafish Research & Aquatics Specialist to support the operation of a research zebrafish facility. The successful candidate will take primary responsibility for routine zebrafish husbandry, colony organization, aquatics-system monitoring and maintenance, and support of zebrafish-based research.

Requirements

Master’s degree in a related field, or bachelor’s degree plus at least two years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated reliability, attention to detail, and ability to maintain accurate records and follow established procedures.
Ability to work independently and recognize and respond to problems in a timely manner.
Strong organizational and communication skills.
Ability and willingness to perform routine aquatics-facility work, including feeding animals, cleaning tanks and equipment, handling water and aquatic-system components, and performing scheduled weekend and holiday animal care as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with vertebrate animals.
Experience working with zebrafish is strongly preferred.
Experience with one or more of the following is particularly desirable: zebrafish husbandry and breeding; operation or maintenance of recirculating aquatic systems; water-quality monitoring; animal health monitoring; aquaculture or aquarium systems; facility maintenance and troubleshooting; zebrafish genotyping; laboratory inventory and ordering; or working under IACUC-approved animal protocols.
Mechanical aptitude and comfort troubleshooting pumps, filtration, plumbing, sensors, or other aquatics equipment are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Maintain the day-to-day health and operation of the laboratory zebrafish facility. Responsibilities include feeding, monitoring fish health and behavior, tank cleaning and sanitation, routine husbandry, water-quality monitoring, maintaining appropriate stocking densities, and performing regular checks of pumps, filtration, UV sterilization, temperature, conductivity, pH, and other aquatics systems.
Identify and respond promptly to animal-health or facility problems and perform or coordinate routine troubleshooting and maintenance.
Some scheduled weekend and holiday animal-care responsibilities will be required.
Maintain zebrafish lines and breeding records; set up crosses; collect embryos; assist with colony planning, genotyping, and organization of experimental animals.
Maintain accurate records of fish lines, breeding, health, and experimental use.
Work with the PI and other laboratory members to support zebrafish-based research and train new laboratory members in appropriate husbandry and fish-room procedures.
Maintain an organized and well-stocked aquatics facility, monitor inventory and order fish-room supplies before they are depleted, maintain equipment and maintenance records, and assist with development and implementation of standard operating procedures.
Ensure work is performed in accordance with laboratory safety requirements, IACUC protocols, and institutional animal-care procedures.