GRAF Senior Animal Technologist

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.

The Gnotobiotics Facility maintains germ‑free animal colonies in film isolators and supports BSD investigators by providing breeding, colony management, and experimental services through specialized gnotobiotics staff.

The GRAF Senior Animal Technologist provides hands‑on care and maintains the health of germ‑free animals in specialized film isolators. Responsibilities include observing, documenting, and maintaining records on animal behavior, breeding, and welfare. The role also provides technical support of experimental interventions as requested by GRAF research coordinators and may be involved in training or overseeing the work of other GRAF animal technologists.

• Perform animal health checks daily and cage change for experimental film isolators and specialized caging units.
• Maintain breeding colony support and document as prescribed by the investigator group to facilitate colony management.
• Assist with experimental supply preparation in the GRAF.
• Provide technical support interventions such as collection of animal weights, collection of experimental samples, or provision of experimental materials by parenteral routes.
• Check cultures daily, prepare Chlorine Dioxide, process autoclave cycles, assist with facility sanitation.
• Re-wrap filters on sterilization cylinders, process BT‑Sure indicators.
• Prepare stock materials for autoclave processing and sterilization cylinders for isolator stocking.
• Assist Technical Director in identifying pain points with workflow, deficiencies in training or recommendations for retraining of staff, identify needs and suggest methodology for training.
• Serve as a lead resource and mentor to the Animal Technologist team championing teamwork and technical excellence; assist the Technical Director with redistribution of work assignments as needed.
• Under a limited degree of supervision, provide technical support to clinical research studies.
• Assist with quality and safety control measures for the laboratory, such as checks of equipment, temperature control, and documentation of quality improvement projects.
• Perform other related work as needed.

Vocational training, apprenticeships, or the equivalent experience in a related field (a four‑year degree is not typically required).

5–7 years of work experience in a related job discipline, with knowledge and skills developed in that environment.

• College or university degree in a related field.
• Experience working with rodent colonies in an academic research environment.
• Computer knowledge and skills such as Word and Excel.
• Availability for weekend and holiday schedules as part of a shared rotation for animal surveillance.
• Good written, verbal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time.
• Attention to detail, organization, and respect for confidentiality.

• Involves mobility between work areas and periods of 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.

Research

Individual Contributor

40

No

Yes

No

Hourly

Non‑Exempt

$24.04 – $31.25

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.

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.