Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: EXS/7

Job Summary:

Oversees the daily operations of the Center for Comparative Medicine's managed rodent breeding service.  Provides direction and guidance to breeding colony technicians to ensure rodent breeding colonies are maintained as specified by the customers (i.e., investigators).  Serves as the primary contact between the breeding service and the investigators. 

Please note: Must be able to lift 20 to 25 lbs. Must be able to work staggered shift schedule, overtime, weekends and holidays as required. Must be able to read, write and comprehend English in order to read signage and to read and update animal records.  Work space may be small, non-private, and close to other work stations where noise level can be high.  This Position requires the individual to be available to work on either the Chicago or Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Manages and oversees the daily operations of the CCM Breeding Colony.
  • Ensures that the Breeding Colony Technicians perform daily mouse colony maintenance and husbandry.
  • Ensures compliance with all applicable CCM SOPs by the technicians.
  • Schedules technicians and assigns responsibility for specific colonies to technicians.
  • Trains technicians.
  • Fills in for technicians during absences to ensure continuity of animal care.
  • Oversees animal transfers to and from investigators/Chicago campus.
  • Oversees submission of tissue samples (tail biopsies, ear punch biopsies, or other as requried) for genotyping to investigators or Transnetyx as specified by the investigator.
• Administrates the rodent inventory database management software 
  • Sets up new laboratories, personnel, and colonies in the software.
  • Ensures that accurate colony records are maintained by the technicians.
  • Trains new laboratories and personnel on the use of the software.
• Communicates with Investigators
  • Communicates with investigators and meets as required to understand research requirements, breeding schemes, and colony specific phenotypes. Becomes familiar with relevant Animal Study Protocols when necessary.
• Assists the Senior Clinical Veterinarian (with regards to the breeding colony)
  • Interviews and recommends new hires.
  • Manages annual performance evaluation process ensuring that all breeding colony technicians receive reviews and that documentation regarding performance is properly maintained in a timely manner.
  • Writes, develops, and implements SOPs relevant to the breeding service.
• Provides support for Veterinary Clinical and Rodent Technical Services:
  • Assists with clinical care as directed by the veterinarian.
  • Services as the Evanston contact for and provides rodent technical services to investigators.
  • Participates in the training of animal care staff and laboratory personnel.

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Completion of a 4 year degree in animal science, biology, veterinary science, zoology or related field; OR an associates degree (e.g., veterinary technology) and two years of relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as an animal care or research technician working with rodents in a laboratory animal facility.
• Certified by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science at the LATg level at the time of employment, OR equivalent education and experience such as managing a breeding colony in a research setting.
• Working knowledge of genetics and experience with mutant mouse colonies.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Lab Animal Care
• Organization and Multitasking
• Efficiency/dependability
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to type and have advanced knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, database and e-mail software

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior supervisory experience.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience managing large mouse colonies (>200 cages).

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Customer focus

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate lifes challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If youre interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.

#LI-EN1

About Northwestern University

Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.

Connections working at Northwestern University