Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is dedicated to recruiting the best scientists across various disciplines, including cancer biology, neurobiology, immunobiology, and biology of development, regeneration, and aging. Leveraging the Prebys Center, the Institute’s unique state-of-the-art drug discovery and chemical biology center with a wealth of in-house data, we emphasize translating our basic research findings towards improving interventions against human diseases.

Under direct supervision from the Animal Facility Manager, the Husbandry Tech I will be responsible for both cage room and husbandry activities related to the care of laboratory research mice.
This position involves a range of tasks and functions that are typically essential to continue critical vivarium operations. This opening is Part-time and specific for our weekend shift, Sat and Sun, with an additional weekday or holiday; regularly working 16-24 hours per week.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Cage Room Duties ~25%

• Refills water bottles; operates the automatic bottle filler machine
• Removes and disposes of soiled bedding in used rodent cages
• Organizes the cleaned caging and accessories
• Adds nesting material to bedding filled cages
• Performs other cleaning duties in vivarium support areas such as mopping floors, cleaning windows and counters
• Restocks supplies as needed in cage washrooms and support areas
• Participates in required EH&S and Animal Resources training courses
• May perform euthanasia on rodents
• Prepares cleaning solutions and labels stock solutions with preparation date
• Receives and rotates animal feed and bedding; labels feed barrels with the feed type, feed mill date, bag opened and expiration date

Husbandry Duties ~75%

• Performs the weekend animal health checks (Sat and Sun) and some holidays.
• Reports findings of observed animal health conditions to the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) assigned to the room and to the research contact, via text or email.
• Completes animal status forms with findings of newborn litters; sick or dead mice.
• Checks all cages for adequate food and water levels; and replenishes feed and changes out the water bottle when the volume is low
• Changes cages with excess moisture due to a flooded or leaky water bottle
• Changes cages when scheduled by the manager
• Checks animal ventilated racks for proper air flow
• Maintains animal room activity logs and husbandry records for work performed
• Cleans cage changing hoods or biosafety cabinets after every use.
• Sweep and mop floors after husbandry duties (cage changing).
• Restock room supplies and maintains common use storage and procedure support areas
• Contact Managers for all emergencies, such as power outages, floods, and animal welfare concerns

Education and/or Experience:

• High School diploma
• Employees will be trained on the job

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)
• Ability to work in environment which contains animal dander and dust particles
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists and hands; regular bending and lifting, sitting and standing on hard floor surfaces and pushing and pulling of carts loaded with caging and accessories
• Ability to lift and stack feed and bedding bags up to 40 pounds
• Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles, heat resistant autoclave gloves, nitrile or chemical resistant gloves, apron, and back support belt
• Ability to work Sat and Sun on a regular basis.
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess good time management and organizational skills
• Adhere to department and institute safety and occupational health policies and procedures while demonstrating competency in safety protocols
• Maintain compliance with all training requirements
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook (email)

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• No, this position does not have any formal supervisory responsibilities

Compensation:

• The expected compensation for this position is $20-22/hour commensurate with experience.

Sanford Burnham Prebys celebrates the rich diversity of our scientists, students and staff, who hail from more than 30 countries. Our diverse and inclusive environment catalyzes innovation and fuels discovery, enhancing the value and impact of our research.

We welcome talented individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If you need an accommodation seeking employment with Sanford Burnham Prebys, please email accommodations@sbpdiscovery.org. Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.