Laboratory Research Tech (Animal)

Quadrant, Inc.; Maryland; On-site; USD 75,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Quadrant, Inc. is seeking a Laboratory Research Tech to support animal research at the Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience conducting behavioral training, maintaining laboratory equipment, and executing animal use protocols. This position requires a Bachelor's degree in Biological sciences and an active DoD SEC Security Clearance.

Benefits

Healthcare benefits

Qualifications

• 1+ years in animal or husbandry research preferred.
• Active DoD Interim SECRET Security Clearance required.
• Experience conducting operant in vivo behavioral training/testing.

Responsibilities

• Support animal research under active protocols including feeding and behavioral training.
• Conduct inspections of laboratory spaces and analyze experimental data.
• Assist in surgical procedures and development of research protocols.

Skills

Animal handling

Behavioral training

Research Protocols

Pharmacology knowledge

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor of Arts/Science in Biological sciences

Job description

Laboratory Research Tech (Animal)

Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD

Pay From: $75,000 per year



MUST:

Laboratory Research Tech

Active DoD Interim SECRET Security Clearance is required

1+ years in animal or husbandry research or experience handling NHPs preferred

Direct experience conducting operant in vivo behavioral training/testing

Knowledge of pharmacology and neuroscience as applied to medical defense research

Experience working in a research laboratory

Experience executing animal use protocols.

Excellent adaptability to new research team/project assignment per organizational needs

Direct experience conducting operant in vivo behavioral training/testing

Bachelor of Arts/Science from an accredited university/college in Biological sciences or similar field. 2+ years of experience.



DUTIES:

The Laboratory Research Tech will complete various tasks supporting animal research under active protocols.

Conduct animal movement, transportation, feeding, behavioral training, surgery, surgical support, veterinary technical support, bio-sampling (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, etc.), and all experimentation.

Draft reports, figures, and slide summaries of experimental methods and results, and other written work, as needed.

Maintain specialized laboratory equipment, such as experimental and behavioral equipment, outside of traditional medical maintenance services.

Conduct biochemical, pharmacological, physiological, and behavioral components of experimental investigations in collaboration with the PI.

Clean and troubleshoot laboratory hardware and software necessary to conduct physiological and behavioral assessments.

Conduct and coordinate inspections of laboratory spaces, supplies, and equipment necessary to conduct research.

Compile and analyze experimental data with custom-written software and with commercially available spreadsheet, graphics, and statistical analysis programs.

Aseptic maintenance of surgically placed vascular access ports in animals; and perform daily flush and visual inspection of central lines for proper placement, signs of distress and infection IAW local SOP and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) guidelines.

Perform or assist personnel with surgical procedures on animals, to include vascular access port placement and/or implantation of physiologic monitoring telemetry devices; post-surgical recovery and evaluation.

Assist in the development of research protocols, amendments and experimental design; conduct research in accordance with all safety, surety, security standards, IACUC policies and governing SOPs; prepare and maintain a clean, safe work environment of laboratory and animal space to include proper disposal of potentially hazardous animal and laboratory waste products; humanely euthanize surviving animals; communicate dynamic protocol requirements to team members, collaborators, and support personnel.

Perform necropsy and harvest tissue from deceased experimental animals and properly dispose of animal carcasses.

Perform solubility studies of various threat agents and therapeutic compounds of interest; assess animal health and behavior for safety and efficacy of novel candidate therapeutic compounds following administration by intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intravenous routes; record findings in laboratory notebooks during or immediately following the experiments.

Implement an enrichment plan consistent with institutional standards and in support of protocol needs; assess social environment and hierarchy to maximize beneficial social partnership/pairing of animals; and oversee implementation and administration of birth control methods as appropriate; pair/separate animals as dictated by governmental need and research protocols, or experimental and feed schedules.

Conduct an animal training program to assess behavioral competence and compliance, to include pole and collar/chair training, bio-sampling, squeeze and restraint training, and injection tolerance; conduct operant behavioral panel testing to include calibration, maintenance, parameter optimization, and sanitization.

Modify or update existing assessment hardware for use in new neurobehavioral assessments; train personnel on the calibration, maintenance, parameter optimization, and sanitization of the modified hardware.

Perform or assist personnel with surgical procedures on animal cadavers to include perfusion and/or implantation of monitoring devices (e.g., telemetry); adhere to local SOP and IACUC guidelines for cadaveric surgery; post-surgical evaluation.

Quadrant is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a protected veteran, or status as an individual with a disability. "Healthcare benefits are offered to all eligible employees according to compliance mandated by the Affordable Care Act".