Technical Specialist, Vivarium

START Center for Cancer Research • San Antonio, TX

9d

About The Position

XenoSTART, the preclinical division of START is a translational research organization focused on creating relevant preclinical cancer models. Our xenograft models represent each cancer type and disease stage and are established from patients at our domestic and international cancer centers. The XenoSTART Patient-Derived Xenograft (XPDX) platform includes over 2,500 models annotated with each donor patient’s cancer treatment and outcome data and characterized using IHC, DNA/RNA sequencing, and relevant in vivo drug efficacy. Our XPDX models are clinically annotated and include patient treatment history and outcome and are characterized through genomic profiling, histologic analysis, and in vivo drug sensitivity to relevant standards of care. These models may be utilized in the following manner: In vivo PK/PD and efficacy studies In vivo efficacy panel screens (indication or target focused) In licensing of models for internal studies Custom model development Orthotopic and radiotherapy studies Ex vivo and organoid studies The Technical Specialist, Vivarium, serves as a functional subject matter expert within the In-Vivo Research Team, establishing and maintaining high levels of technical expertise in PDX model development and study execution. The Technical Specialist, Vivarium, will assist management in the onboarding and recurring training processes for employees. This role involves performing PDX studies from industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated studies, ensuring adherence to protocols and compliance with all regulatory and safety guidelines, and managing all procedures related to small animal handling, husbandry, surgery, sterile environments, drug preparation, and dosing. This position plays a key role in maintaining IACUC sponsor, and protocol compliance as well as animal welfare.

Requirements

• High school diploma/GED.
• 5-8 years of related PDX experience.
• Experience with animal handling, dosing, pathology and surgical procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite applications.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and ethical standards for animal research.
• Strong communication skills and ability to effectively communicate and present summaries of research results to team members.
• Strong organizational skills with great attention to details and ability to troubleshoot problems.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• 8-10 years of related PDX experience.
• Demonstrated experience in technical mentoring.
• Certifications through American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT or higher) preferred.
• Formal training in animal handling and in vivo research procedures.
• Familiarity with Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), and OSHA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert in In Vivo mice studies, process improvement initiatives, and ensure adherence to established standard of work.
• Design and execute in vivo mice studies including small animal handling, dosing, surgery, tumor implantation, euthanasia, sample collection/processing and data entry.
• Monitor animal health and maintain accurate records of experiments and results in compliance with institutional and regulatory guidelines.
• Ensure the health and welfare of animals to maintain compliance with A ssociation for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, International (AAALAC) and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) standards.
• Generate, analyze, interpret, and share experimental results and ensure that all protocols, data, and analyses are documented following data integrity principles and prepared and made available in a timely manner.
• Support the Manager, Vivarium and In Vivo Research team in managing, coordinating, and supporting the research efforts across multiple collaborative research programs
• Confirm all study-related documentation is current, accurate, and audit-ready.
• Identify and escalate quality or compliance concerns to the appropriate supervisor or project manager.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance provided
• Robust retirement planning: 401(k) plan available with employer matching
• Financial security: Life and disability insurance for added protection
• Flexible financial options: Health savings and flexible spending accounts offered
• Well-being and work-life balance: Paid time off, flexible schedule, and remote work choices provided

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED