DESCRIPTION

The position requires an individual with experience in the handling and manipulation of rodents, specifically mice, data analysis, use of computer spreadsheets, use of databases, and communication skills.
The individual will be expected to perform duties related to the mating (setting up breeding configurations as directed by the investigator and assists in record keeping on numbers of live births), breeding (assists in recordkeeping of breeding fecundity, assists in recordkeeping and observations of new mothers, assists in recordkeeping on live births, and assists in recordkeeping on pups), weaning [assists in recordkeeping of number of pups weaned and applies ear identification tags, and applies other identification methods (ear punch, tail tattoo)], and sample collection (proper labeling of tissue vials for tissue collection and obtaining tissue samples from mice to be genotyped by research staff) from mice and rats.
The individual must conduct an “eyes on” inventory of all animals housed in the breeding colony on a weekly basis. The individual will respond to “do-it” lists which are requests from investigators that deal with the animals they own in the breeding colony. The individual may be required to communicate with the investigator who owns the animals on a regular basis regarding inventory (weekly), live births (as they occur), weanings (as they occur), and tissue samples (as collected).
During daily checks of all animal cages, if sick animals are found, the individual will communicate the condition of these animals to the veterinary technician and to the Mutant Mouse Breeding Colony Coordinator and to the investigator/owner. The individual will work closely with the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility Coordinator in all tasks so that the coordinator is informed of all activities. The individual will meet regularly with the coordinator and the Clinical Veterinarian to discuss issues with the breeding colony.
The individual must be attentive to details and be able to work independently.
This position differs from an Animal Health Technician in that the duties of this position will be focused on the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility within Animal Resources.
Regular attendance is required for the performance of this job. Individual will maintain a customer-oriented awareness in acknowledging and responding to needs as they occur to ensure that customer satisfaction is met at all times.
Normal work hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; overtime may be required. Lunch/breaks are dictated by workflow.

QUALIFICATIONS

The applicant must meet one of the following:

• Bachelor degree in a science related field from an accredited university. Good computer skills, organizational skills, and ability to prioritize. Driving may be required.
• Associate degree in a science field from an accredited university and 1 year working in a research setting with rodents. Good computer skills, organizations skills, and ability to prioritize. Driving may be required.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Degrees in a science related field preferred. Experience in animal breeding operations or experience in maintaining an animal breeding colony. Experience with Excel spreadsheets, animal restraint, animal manipulation, and animal anesthesia (volatile and injectable).

85% Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility Technician

• Performs daily observations of all mice housed within the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility, particularly new mothers/litters.
• Performs a weekly “eyes-on” inventory of animals housed within the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility.
• Assist in the transfer of the inventory information onto colony spread sheets. Each investigator who maintains animals in the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility has a separate record. Each record contains all of the strains being bred (all breeding animals and all offspring).
• Maintains accurate records including morbidity, mortality, live births, weanling, deaths, number of animals weaned for all strains.
• Conducts the activity of transferring mice from the breeding colony to the investigator. This entails the proper identification of the animals to be transferred, removal of the animals from the breeding colony, placement of animals to be taken by the husbandry staff to the proper holding room. This should be done in a timely manner consistent with Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility standard operating procedures.
• Prepares all instruments, paperwork, and collection tubes associated with weaning and tissue sample/collection procedures in advance.
• Weans all pups between 18-23 days old according to standard operating procedures.
• Ear tags all pups between 18-23 days old according to standard operating procedures.
• Performs ear punching, and tail tattooing as means of identification to all pups as they are weaned as required by the investigator.
• Adheres to established sample collection standard operating procedures to maximize sterility and cleanliness during any and all procedures associated with sample collection procedures.
• Collects tissue samples (tail snips, ear snips, or blood) from all animals to be genotyped (sample to be determined by investigator who will be performing the biochemical assays to determine genotype). All samples to be placed in the appropriately labeled test tubes or sample storage device and maintained according to investigator standards until retrieved by the investigator.
• Notify investigators when tissue samples are ready for pickup.
• Maintains a record of all tissue samples that correctly identifies the animal with the tissue obtained.
• Assists in the maintenance of all records for requests for animal transfers, animal pairings, and breeding records, in a system in which the information is readily retrievable. This is a paper filing system that contains all investigator correspondence. This system is purged at a six-month interval.
• Assists in the maintenance of electronic records of the above.
• Assists in the maintenance of records of all communications with each investigator.
• Provides feedback and information to the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility Coordinator on a daily basis.
• Responds to investigator’s request via the “do-it list” procedure whereby an investigator makes a written request for an action (additional tissue sample) within a timely manner (usually 24 hrs. or less).
• Assists with animal husbandry tasks if the animal husbandry staff is short-handed or in response to special requests.

10% Duties as back-up to the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility Coordinator when the coordinator is absent

• Initiates all recordkeeping necessary for the smooth function of the Mutant Mouse Breeding Facility. This includes e-communications with investigators or written “do-it lists” (requests) from investigators for (but not limited to the following): breeding set-ups, transfers of animals from the breeding facility to investigator holding rooms, tissue samples, notification of readiness of tail samples, or any other requests.
• Maintains a filing system of all such requests and correspondence so that, in the absence of the Coordinator, any other individual can research any request from the records.
• Maintains a database that depicts all births, weanings, and deaths. Each investigator has the capability to access this information on his/her strains at all times.