The Jackson Laboratory has an opportunity available as a Research Technologist in the Trowbridge laboratory. With input and guidance from the Laboratory Manager and oversight as needed, the incumbent manages all mouse strains making key decisions regarding: breeding management, biosampling, aging and sexing mice, and disposition of sick or injured or mice. The incumbent will be responsible for key experimental aspects including but not limited to: producing experimental cohorts needed, feeding special grain to different cohorts, weighing mice, scheduling phenotyping and harvesting of tissues. Meticulous attention to detail and accurate record keeping are required.

Incumbents are required to work flexible shifts that may include evenings, week-ends and/or holidays depending on the demands of the research and/or laboratory operations.

• Consistently manages breeder rotation as required per strain and appropriately identifies and selects replacement breeder mice.
• Accurately maintains strain information (including genotypes) and experimental data in applicable databases
• Precise and legible cage card maintenance
• Performs tail biosampling technique for genotyping of applicable strains
• Promptly interprets genotyping results for colony maintenance
• Implements the breeding scheme of new strains as determined by the Laboratory Manager
• Analyzes reproductive performance data

Key Responsibilities & Essential Functions:

• Colony Management
  • Clear and frequent reporting of colony status including but not limited to colony productivity, cohort production and experimental progress to Laboratory Manager
  • Maintains appropriate breeding scheme(s) as required per strain
  • Plans and executes expansion of number of breeders for larger cohorts of mice needed
  • Consistently manages breeder rotation as required per strain and appropriately identifies and selects replacement breeder mice
  • Accurately maintains strain information (including genotypes) and experimental data in applicable databases
  • Precise and legible cage card maintenance
  • Performs tail biosampling technique for genotyping of applicable strains
  • Promptly interprets genotyping results for colony maintenance
  • Implements the breeding scheme of new strains as determined by the Laboratory Manager
  • Analyzes reproductive performance data
• Experimental Support & Special Projects
  • Masters biomethods techniques and efficiently performs the following:
  • Retro-orbital bleed biomethod techniques
  • Animal euthanasia in accordance with established laboratory procedures for humanely euthanizing mice in barrier facilities
  • Animal restraint
  • Ear notch identification
  • Tail tipping biosample collection
  • Ability to efficiently conduct longitudinal data collection for mouse studies – including body weight, biosampling, etc.
  • Perform Qiagen and crude lysis DNA preparation of mouse tail biopsies.
  • Genotyping by standard PCR - set up reactions, pour and run gels, record data, and file results.
  • Run ELISAs on mouse serum.
  • Prepare tissues for downstream procedures including flow cytometry, histology, RNA or protein extraction.
  • Ability to master new experimental techniques and Biomethods as needed.
• Regular, reliable and consistent attendance
• Ability to meet flexible and changing demands including some hours on weekends and holidays. Ability to work flexible schedule depending on research/operational needs
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Knowledge of mouse genetics as acquired by a degree in the biological sciences or 1 – 2 years work experience in which animal husbandry and colony management were job responsibilities.
• Successful completion of Lab Animal Science or equivalent experience.
• Successful completion of the Laboratory’s Genetics course or equivalent college accredited coursework.

Pay Range: $19.54-26.86 per hour based on experience.