Aquatics Technician II: Zebrafish Breeding & Embryo Care

HHMI; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 51,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

HHMI's Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, seeks an Aquatics Technician to maintain zebrafish and Danionella colonies and support whole‑brain vertebrate neuroscience research. Under minimal supervision, you will perform embryo care, crosses, microinjections, screenings, and recordkeeping, collaborating with Aquatics staff and researchers.

Qualifications include a life sciences degree and hands-on aquatic husbandry experience, plus proficiency with microscopes, embryos, and data

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related field.
• Two years of Aquatic husbandry or lab animal care experience, preferably in a research setting.
• Ability to perform moderate technical procedures including microscope use, embryo injection, fin clipping, embryo screening, and cross setup/breakdown.
• Experience with reproductive techniques such as microinjection or IVF is a plus.
• Experience with database systems for animal recordkeeping.
• Self‑motivated, able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Strong collaboration and communication in a fast-changing team environment.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical procedures to maintain the zebrafish and danionella colonies, including embryo care, setting up and breaking down crosses, and breeding coordination through establishment of a stable transgenic line.
• Perform reproductive techniques, including embryo microinjections, IVF, recovery of cryopreserved sperm, and female ova expression.
• Conduct whole animal screening, including fluorescent and/or phenotype screening, dye screening, embryo screening, fin clipping (larval, juvenile, and adult), and sperm collection for PCR.
• Track each stage of the microinjection process and provide clear handoffs to Aquatics staff and researchers as embryos progress through early development.
• Maintain transgenic colony records on related data systems, including crossing events, genotyping results, screening observations, injection outcomes, AI‑supported screening data, and live‑feed culture records that support colony nutrition.
• Communicate with researchers on breeding colony status, microinjection progress, and other updates as needed.

Skills

Aquatic husbandry

Embryo injection

Fin clipping

Embryo screening

Cross setup/breakdown

Microscope use

Database systems

Microsoft Office

Independent worker

Collaborative team player

Excellent communication

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Tools

Microscope

Job description

HHMI's Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, Virginia, seeks an Aquatics Technician to maintain zebrafish and Danionella colonies and support whole‑brain vertebrate neuroscience research. Under minimal supervision, you will perform embryo care, crosses, microinjections, screenings, and recordkeeping, collaborating with Aquatics staff and researchers.

Qualifications include a life sciences degree and hands-on aquatic husbandry experience, plus proficiency with microscopes, embryos, and data