Study Support Technician I – Aquatics (Temp-to-Hire) (Multiple Positions)

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Ashburn (VA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Collaborative environment

Continuous learning culture

Access to multiple labs and resources

Job summary

Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, VA is seeking Aquatics Technicians for a 3-month temporary role supporting larval zebrafish and Danionella care. Under minimal supervision, you will perform husbandry, maintain tanks, and assist with breeding units as described.

This position offers hands-on experience in a renowned neuroscience program, with opportunities to develop practical lab skills, work in a collaborative environment, and potentially extend based on business needs.

Qualifications

• College degree in life science or related field preferred.
• Six months of vertebrate animal experience preferred.
• Experience in a basic or applied science research setting is a plus.
• Ability to identify changes in animal health and provide basic treatments.

Responsibilities

• Perform animal husbandry and care for multiple aquatic species (feeding, tank cleaning, daily observations).
• Clean and sanitize animal holding or procedure rooms.
• Provide environmental enrichment appropriate to species.
• Assist with minor technical tasks (crossing, fin clips, injections, treatments) as directed.

Skills

Microsoft Office

Google Docs

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

College degree in life science

Job description

Primary Work Address: 19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20147

About Janelia

Janelia Research Campus is an HHMI research institute built to tackle scientific problems beyond what any single lab or company could sustain. Janelia's next decade centers on two big bets: mapping how a vertebrate brain produces complex behavior, and building “AI-in-the-Loop Discovery,” where scientists and AI work together to analyze data, design experiments, and drive discovery at a new scale.

Larval zebrafish and Danionella are key to the first bet. Zebrafish are where Janelia is building the whole‑brain imaging pipeline that a viable Danionella platform will depend on, and Danionella —transparent throughout its life— offers a path toward imaging the whole brain of an adult vertebrate during natural, complex behavior, something never before achieved. As this work scales, Janelia's AAALAC‑accredited Vivarium is growing its Aquatics program.

About the Role

This position provides standard animal husbandry and technical support services in the Aquatics department. Under minimal supervision, the role focuses on ensuring the highest standard of animal care and welfare while supporting Janelia researchers working with larval zebrafish and Danionella. We are hiring multiple Aquatics Technicians across both areas to support this growth. Please note, this is a 3‑month temporary position with the potential to be extended or become permanent based on business needs.

What We Provide

• An opportunity to broaden research experience in a collaborative environment supporting Janelia's whole‑brain vertebrate neuroscience program.
• A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment of collaboration.
• Collaboration with research labs and other shared resources, including Molecular Genomics, Viral Tools, Quantitative Genomics, Fly Facility, and other Vivarium teams.

What You’ll Do

• Perform animal husbandry and animal care support services to multiple aquatic species (e.g., providing feed, clean tanks, daily observations of each animal, and water filtration system maintenance).
• Clean and sanitize animal holding or procedure rooms.
• Provide environmental enrichment appropriate to the species housed.
• Provide other minor technical support for species housed (e.g., crossing, fin clips, performing injections, clinical treatments) as directed.
• Set up breeding units of zebrafish and Danionella as directed.
• Use databases for animal recordkeeping, including but not limited to animal housing and study support.
• Assist with receiving, stocking, and maintenance of all supply inventories.
• Maintain and record appropriate data for all duties completed.

What You Bring

• College degree in life science or a related field preferred.
• Six months of experience working with vertebrate animal species.
• Experience in a basic or applied science research setting preferred. This could include academic, industry, or non‑profit.
• Alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• Ability to identify changes in an animal's behavior or health and provide basic prescribed treatments.
• Enthusiastic and self‑motivated individual, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and learn tasks quickly.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office and/or Google Docs.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, rapidly changing team environment to accomplish mutual goals.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to deal effectively with research scientists, laboratory technical staff, administrative staff, management, outside contractors, and vendors.

Physical Requirements:

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet). Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job’s principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word 'may,' the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are ‘essential functions’ of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Hiring Pay Range

$20.00 - $ 22.47

Pay Type:

Hourly

The posted range reflects HHMI’s good faith estimate of the anticipated hiring salary range for this role at the time of posting. Actual hiring compensation is determined by a candidate’s qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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