Rodent Research Technician - Level 2

Transpharmation is a dynamic preclinical contract research organization that specializes in high-quality, translational drug discovery services. The company provides a friendly and team-oriented work atmosphere as well as competitive wages and benefits.

The Research Technician II (“RT II”) will have a solid understanding of each individual’s roles and responsibilities within the company and within research studies. The RT II will have a clear understanding of and be able to perform a majority of the procedures at Transpharmation Canada within the Rodent Department. The RT II will demonstrate a clear understanding of the complexities of a research trial and be able to efficiently follow study protocols, with continued guidance from the Study Coordinator/Study Director/Scientific Director.

Key Activities

Assist and perform assigned in vivo study procedures in the Rodent Department.

Act as study personnel in OECD GLP studies.

Record and document experimental details with a high level of integrity, ethics and accuracy in adherence with Good Documentation Practice.

Assist in the preparation of data summary reports, study related data entry, Quality Control.

Perform study-related husbandry duties to ensure proper animal care practices are adhered to and are according to CCAC guidelines and facility SOPs.

Work within a team to ensure that projects are successfully conducted and completed to a high level of quality and scientific competence.

Participate in the maintenance of an adequate inventory of supplies.

Assist the Rodent Department Manager in the maintenance and operation of animal facility and husbandry in accordance with CCAC guidelines, Animals for Research Act and facility SOPs.

Participate in internal working groups (eg. animal care committee, health and safety, etc).

Demonstrate and/or train processes and techniques to new employees and visitors.

Other duties as assigned.

Duties Associated with the Rodent Wing
General Techniques

Operate centrifuges and perform advanced blood separation

Drug administrations (SC, IM, IP, IV, PO, interdermal, etc.)

Survival blood collection (saphenous, tail snip, submandibular, catheter, etc.)

Terminal blood collection, tissue/organ extraction and weighing

Anaesthesia/Analgesia in support of surgery and animal welfare

Euthanasia

Restrain animals for procedures as needed

Seizure Testing

MES

6

Hz

Corneal Kindling

Pain Testing

Von Frey

Acetone drop

Tail flick

Formalin

Behavioral Testing

Prepare rooms for testing

Possess ability to operate test apparatus for behavioral and cognitive testing (LMA, rotarod, grip strength, core body temperature, watermaze, etc.)

Daily observations (health observations)

Operant testing (as applicable):

Possess ability to independently run operant training and testing, as assigned and scheduled by Study Coordinator

Data Management:

Ability to create basic graphs from experimental results

Understand basic data analysis (means, standard error, median, interquartile)

Any other duties as deemed necessary.

Interaction
This position requires coordination of resources (i.e. equipment, supplies) with other Research Technicians, Animal Care Technicians and Study Coordinators. It also requires the ability to learn new skills and procedures as well as teach skills efficiently and to a high level of integrity.

Communication
Communications are with the Rodent Department Manager and/or Supervisor and other facility staff and employees within the organization. Collaboration, execution, and reporting of the quality assurance program. Verbal communication is required to request and receive instructions for work, to report on activities, results, challenges, and to participate in planning and scheduling of work and equipment use. Written communication is required for accurate and detailed recording of procedures, for reporting results and for completing documentation.

Reading and comprehension of written protocols and manuals is essential.

Working Conditions
Environment
There will be occasional periods of several hours per day exposed to noxious odours from diagnostic materials and/or samples. There will also be the occasional need to work with chemicals in a controlled environment.

Risk to…