Study Support Technician II – Technical (Aquatics)

Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI); United States; On-site; USD 49,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

HHMI’s Janelia Research Campus in Ashburn, VA seeks a specialized technician to support the Aquatics program in the Vivarium. You will perform technical procedures to maintain zebrafish and Danionella colonies, including embryo care, crosses, and breeding coordination for a stable transgenic line.

The role includes embryo microinjections, IVF, cryopreserved sperm recovery, and embryo screening. You will maintain transgenic colony records and communicate progress to researchers while

Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences or related field.
• Two years of Aquatic husbandry or lab animal care experience; transgenic colony management a plus.
• Proficient use of microscope, embryo injection, fin clipping, embryo screening, and cross setup/breakdown.
• Experience with reproductive techniques such as microinjection, IVF, or related molecular biology methods is a plus.
• Comfort using database systems for animal recordkeeping.

Responsibilities

• Maintain zebrafish and Danionella colonies, including embryo care and breeding coordination to establish a transgenic line.
• Perform reproductive techniques like embryo microinjections, IVF, and cryopreserved sperm recovery.
• Conduct whole-animal screening, including fluorescence/phenotype screening and embryo/dye/sperm-based checks.
• Track microinjection stages and handoff embryos to Aquatics staff as development progresses.
• Maintain colony records in data systems and communicate progress to researchers.

Skills

Aquatic husbandry

Transgenic colony mgmt

Microscope use

Embryo microinjections

IVF

Cross setup

Data recording

Embryo screening

MS Office

Research communication

Education

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences

Job description

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

About Janelia

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus is a pioneering research center in Ashburn, Virginia, where scientists pursue fundamental questions in the life sciences. Our integrated teams of biologists, computational scientists, and tool-builders innovate research practices and technologies to solve biology’s deepest mysteries. HHMI launched Janelia in 2006, establishing an intellectually enriching environment for scientists to do creative, collaborative, hands‑on work. We share our methods, results, and tools with the scientific community.

About the Role

This position provides specialized technical services within Janelia's Aquatics program of the Vivarium. These services focus on creating and maintaining genetically modified zebrafish and Danionella colonies in support of Janelia’s research program. Working under minimal supervision, provides expertise with hands‑on technical procedures to enable and streamline research.

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, and other Vivarium teams.

What You’ll Do

• 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.

What You Bring

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in life sciences or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of experience with Aquatic husbandry or laboratory animal care, preferably in a research setting; experience with transgenic colony management is a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to perform moderate technical procedures, such as proficient microscope use, embryo injection, fin clipping, embryo screening, and cross setup/breakdown.
• Experience with reproductive techniques such as microinjection, IVF, or related molecular biology methods is a plus.
• Comfort using database systems for animal recordkeeping.
• Enthusiastic and self‑motivated individual, with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision and learn tasks quickly.
• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office.
• 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.

Additional Information

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.

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.

Hiring Pay Range $49,344.34 - $61,680.42 Pay Type: Annual 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.

Equal Opportunity Employment

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer We use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires. Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is an independent, ever‑evolving philanthropy that supports basic biomedical scientists and educators with the potential for transformative impact. We make long‑term investments in people, not just projects, because we believe in the power of individuals to make breakthroughs over time.

Why HHMI

To move science forward we need a diverse collection of talents, expertise, and backgrounds in scientific research and science education, as well as communications, finance, human resources, information technology, investments, law, and operations. At HHMI, we encourage collaborative and results‑driven working styles and offer an adaptable environment where employees can do their best work. What makes us strong is the diversity of our perspectives. We work to promote a culture of inclusion in our work environments and across the greater scientific community. To find more information about us and the steps we’re taking to make HHMI a more inclusive organization, visit our About Us page.

Contact & Rights Information

Contact us at [e-mail] if you require an accommodation related to completing the job application. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Applicants have rights under federal employment laws. For more information about your rights as an applicant, please review these posters: Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Know Your Rights, and Employee Polygraph Protection Act (EPPA).