Research Professional - Preclinical Research, Preclinical Research Center

Position: Research Professional 1 - Preclinical Research, Preclinical Research Center
About the Job

At PCRC, the needs of the animals are first and foremost. Each animal receives the best care

possible for his or her physical, psychological and social well-being. The animals are treated

with respect, compassion and empathy.

The PCRC is seeking a self-starting employee, who is a team player committed to performing

high-quality animal clinical care and research in a fast-paced research laboratory setting. This

position will be a part of a team that is committed to caring for the animals that make it possible

to advance groundbreaking research in transplantation, COVID-19, diabetes, obesity, and

regenerative medicine to the clinic, while simultaneously conducting the fully-funded (NIH, JDRF

[Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation] and Industry) research of PCRC. Specifically,

PCRC's research is focused on studying the effects of improving the welfare of animals used in

biomedical models, thus enhancing the translational value of animal models used in biomedical

research.

As such, the employee must have interest in cooperative handling, enrichment, and

animal husbandry (behavioral management) with rodents, pigs, and nonhuman primates. The

translational and high regulatory research completed at PCRC requires attention to detail and

the ability to follow precise written protocols that adhere to GLP regulations.

The employee will learn how to provide and be responsible for daily behavioral management,

care, enrichment, and nurturing to animals by preparing food, cleaning enclosures,

and maintaining the Center facility.

They will receive training, in becoming proficient in transfer, handling, specialized

individual care, and will begin to acquire skills in Colony Management.

Additionally, the employee will perform research and related tasks in animal husbandry in

evaluating the influence on animal welfare and scientific outcomes. The Center has a unique

focus on primates, so while employees will be working with a variety of animals, they should

have a strong interest in working with monkeys as this is an entry-level position in primate care,

behavioral management and research.

The employee will participate in center support by training new volunteers, keeping detailed

records and reporting on the status of the animals, making updates and revisions to SOPs, and

handle specimens or equipment while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment.

When not occupied with routine tasks, the employee is expected to participate in other lab tasks

as assigned to advance the team's work.

Specific duties include:

Research & Lab Support - 50%

* Perform NIH, JDRF and business & industry funded research focused on the role of

husbandry as it relates to animal welfare, scientific outcomes, and support of the

Program Director's scientific welfare philosophy

* Under the direction of senior staff, perform daily observation/assessment of animals (ie.

Fecal scoring, health indicators such as appetite, social compatibility with other animal

subjects, weight fluctuations, Lixit training for hydration assessment, activity level, overall

health status) to generate data points to use in metabolic research in order to minimize

disruptions during treatment sessions

* Record data, make assessments, and perform basic data analysis in order to inform

future actions/decisions pertaining to animal enrichment

* Perform instrument calibration and point of care assays

* Identify the enrichment needs of individual animals and their phase within a study in

order to prepare and maintain specialty housing setups for metabolic or infectious

disease, paying particular attention to each individual animal and their requirements

* Performs record-keeping tasks, including recording of body weight measurements,

animal observations (fecal scoring 1-4, enrichment identification and rotation, etc),

procedures completed, temperament and sociality assessments

* Assist with animal handling for cooperation with care and research task performance

* Maintain meticulous records and collect research data in accordance with GLP

guidelines

* Maintains a clean environment and ensures that areas are adequately ordered, stocked

and that equipment is in working order

* Assist with development of protocol for process improvement and animal welfare

projects

* Assist with training and educational programs and tours

* Responsible for safe keeping of sensitive and confidential material

* Establish and maintain a working knowledge of the principles behind daily work

* Participate in Center meetings/rounds

* Assemble instrument and packs as needed

* Clean lab, instruments, and equipment

* Other duties as assigned-will develop cross-functional skills by assisting all areas of lab

Behavioral Management and Specialized Husbandry - 50%

* Identify the specific factors/conditions of animal subjects (ie. Age, physical condition, etc)

in order to maintain species appropriate housing, social grouping, nutrition and care

* Identify specific needs and history of animal subjects in order to prepare appropriate

nutritionally balanced food and…