GRAF Research Coordinator

Biological Sciences Division at the University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago's Animal Resources Center (ARC) in Chicago seeks a GRAF Research Coordinator to manage rodent colonies, support PI projects, and perform routine data collection and analysis for clinical research. Responsibilities include breeding, experimental procedures, and health monitoring within specialized isolators.

The role involves training, compliance with institutional and federal policies, and occasional weekend coverage.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.
• Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Responsibilities

• Maintain breeding and experimental mouse colonies within flexible film isolators.
• Prepare materials for experimental procedures with germ free and ex-germ free animals.
• Perform interventions and assist PI group with experiments in the facility.
• Conduct weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups and monitoring.
• Perform health checks and health observations.
• Assist with training PI group and other research personnel.
• Assist with advanced procedures including anesthesia and surgery.

Skills

Mouse colony management

Animal care

Laboratory data collection

Gavaging and injections

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field

Bachelor’s degree in field relevant to animal research

Tools

Excel

Word

AALAS certification

Job description

About The Department

Department BSD ARC - GRAF

About The Department

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago supports animal research by ensuring humane care and proper use of all laboratory animals. It oversees all research animals on campus, manages six facilities and a business office, and includes husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, and finance/administration. ARC is part of the Office of Shared Research Facilities, which also manages BSD core facilities.

Job Summary

The job performs routine laboratory data collection and analysis to support clinical research, and assists in specialty research involving animals, MRI technologies, histology, among others.

The GRAF Research Coordinator’s main duty is providing rodent colony breeding/production and technical support for research projects for Principal Investigators (PI) including maintaining mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, setting up and performing experiments. Under indirect supervision, this position performs moderately complex animal-related duties and tasks such as gavage, injections, breeding schemes, tissue harvest, etc. Collects, maintains and analyzes data. In addition, the GRAF Research Coordinator helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. This position may coordinate the work of research support staff and students and may provide PI training. Shared weekend rotation for animal health check coverage with a large group of staff.

Responsibilities

• Maintain breeding and experimental mouse colonies within flexible film isolators (includes tag, tail, wean and colony status records).
• Prepare materials for experimental procedures with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals.
• Perform experimental interventions with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals and assist Principal Investigator group to perform experiments within the facility.
• Perform weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups and monitoring.
• Perform health checks and health observations.
• Assist with training PI group and other research personnel working in the GRAF.
• Assist with advanced procedures which may include anesthesia and surgery.
• Assist with facility maintenance, isolator tasks, and facility operations (equipment and supply preparation) and administrative support to the Technical Director of the GRAF.
• Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results. Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.
• Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures. Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Education:

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to animal research being conducted.

Experience:

• Experience in scientific animal research setting or experience in a Gnotobiotics facility.
• Previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research.
• Prior experience working with mouse colony management.

Licenses And Certifications:

• AALAS certification or eligibility for certification at LAT level or higher.

Preferred Competencies

• Computer knowledge and skills such as Word, Excel and other basic programs.
• Excellent written/verbal skills, must be detailed oriented.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance.
• Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team, ability to communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University, ability to prioritize.
• Ability to work weekends and holidays on a rotational basis.
• Decision making and problem-solving skills and capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.

Working Conditions

• Involves a combination of mobility between facilities, work in a biological safety cabinet, and time spent in stationary positions, including standing or sitting while performing assigned duties, as well as periods of seated, computer-based work.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$24.04 - $33.65

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑based basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

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