Department: Ctr for Comparative Medicine
Salary/Grade: NEX/10

Job Summary:

Performs daily activities required to maintain genetically engineered mouse colonies in a centralized breeding core for the Center for Comparative Medicine.  Duties include establishing breeding units, weaning, sample collection and maintenance of breeding records. 

Please note: Must be able to negotiate up to a 65 lb force (push/pull) on an occasional basis. Lifting is limited to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently.  Must be able to work staggered shift schedule, overtime, weekends, and holidays as required.

Must successfully maintain physical condition that will assure efficient performance of tasks, including successful completion of physical examination.  This position requires the individual to be available to work on both the Chicago and Evanston campuses as coverage needs dictate.

Must be enrolled in the universitys occupational health program which entails filling out a health questionnaire.  The health questionnarie is submitted to the universitys occupational health provider for review.  Must be willing to undergo job-related background check.

Specific Responsibilities:

�       Under the direction of the Breeding Colony Supervisor and Breeding Colony Technician IIs, performs daily mouse colony maintenance and husbandry according to CCM SOPs:

o    Assess cages daily for the birth of new litters, mortalities, and required weaning.

o    Wean pups as directed.

o    Establish breeding cages as directed.

o    When appropriately trained, perform animal identification as directed.

o    When appropropriately trained, collect tissue samples for genotyping (tail biopsies, ear punch biopsies, or other as required) as directed.

o    Perform euthanasia of animals as directed.

o    Report animal health issues to veterinary staff.

�       Maintain accurate colony records through the use of appropriate documentation on cage cards and by ensuring accuracy of the rodent inventory database management software (Mosaic Vivarium):

o    Maintain records of all breeding and holding cages.

o    Record all births and deaths.

o    Record all weanings.

�       Submit tissue samples (tail biopsies, ear punch biopsies, or other as required) for genotyping to investigators or Transnetyx as specified by the Colony Supervisor

Miscellaneous

�       Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

�       A high school diploma or its equivalent is required along with a minimum of 2 years of experience as an animal care or research technician working with rodents in a laboratory animal facility and certification at the ALAT level.

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

�       Lab Animal Care

�       Organization and Multitasking

�       Efficiency/dependability

�       Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, database and e-mail software

Preferred Qualifications:

�       Prior experience performing rodent ear tagging, ear notching and tail biopsies

�       Experience working with large mouse colonies (>100 cages).

�       Basic knowledge of genetics and experience with mutant mouse colonies.

�       Experience with mouse colony database software.

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.

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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.

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