Zebrafish Facility Assistant (PRN) - Developmental Biology

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 23,308 - 36,423; Full time

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking a Zebrafish Facility Assistant to support Zebrafish Technicians in maintaining facility operations and ensuring animal health.

You will monitor environmental conditions, assist with tank sanitation, and operate cleaning equipment as part of a structured duties plan. The role requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least 1 year of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Relevant Experience (1 Year) in zebrafish facility operations or related role.
• No specific certifications/licenses required.

Responsibilities

• Washes and cleans/sterilizes tanks and equipment; operates cleaning equipment (washer, autoclave).
• Maintains and harvests rotifers; stocks young zebrafish larvae on nursery system.
• Exchanges lids on tanks.
• Records daily light, temperature, and humidity controls.
• Records water quality parameters (pH, conductivity, temperature).
• Feeds adult and baby fish with robotic feeding system support.
• Labels fish tanks; tracks health signs and reports to supervisor.
• Participates in training and continuing education.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Animal Care

Animal Handling

Aquaculture

Communication

Detail-Oriented

Interpersonal Communication

Laboratory Techniques

Skill Development

Water Quality Monitoring

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Position Summary

Assists Zebrafish Technicians with maintaining zebrafish facility operations by following standard protocols to ensure optimal fish health and equipment functionality. Includes assistance with monitoring environmental conditions, sanitizing tanks, and operating cleaning equipment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Washes and cleans/sterilizes tanks and other equipment. Operates cleaning equipment including washer and autoclave.
• Maintains and harvests saltwater rotifers and stocks young zebrafish larvae on nursery system.
• Exchanges lids on tanks.
• Records daily light, temperature, and humidity controls.
• Records water quality which includes pH, conductivity, and temperature.
• Performs feedings of the adult and baby fish with support of robotic feeding system.
• Labels fish tanks.
• Maintains close surveillance of fish health, reporting signs of illness/problems to facility supervisor.
• Participates in training, continuing education.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Requires extensive safety training.
• Alternative work schedules.
• On-Call.
• Requires protective devices.
• Exposure to animals.

Physical Effort

• Frequent lifting 25 lbs. or more
• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching and stooping.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.

Equipment

• Office equipment.
• Lab/research equipment.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent high school certification or combination of education and/or experience.

Certifications / Licenses

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience

Relevant Experience (1 Year)

Skills

Not Applicable

Driver's License

A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Certifications / Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Preferred Skills

• Animal Care
• Animal Handling
• Aquaculture
• Communication
• Detail-Oriented
• Interpersonal Communication
• Laboratory Techniques
• Skill Development
• Water Quality Monitoring

Grade

R06-H

Salary Range

$16.92 - $26.44 / Hourly

EEO Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.