Research Assistant III

at  Montana State University

Montana State University values a broad array of experiences and perspectives and is committed to continually supporting, promoting and building an inclusive and culturally RICH campus environment. Members of groups traditionally underrepresented in this field are encouraged to apply. MSU recognizes the importance of work-life integration and strives to be responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS – EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• One-year secondary education plus one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) livestock experience or an equal combination of education and experience.
• Experience in maintaining detailed records.
• Computer proficiency.
• The ability to maintain confidentiality of records and information.
• Demonstrated supervisory experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS – EXPERIENCE, EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Know how to tube feed animals, ability to recognize and relieve bloat in ruminants.
• Ability to operate an endoscope.
• Demonstrated experience handling bio-hazard waste.
• Demonstrated experience safely operating commercial-type sterilizer and knowledge of general sterilization and decontamination techniques and procedures.
• Ability to recognize common diseases of livestock and general knowledge of antibiotics
• Able to administer oral, SQ, IM and IV medications and maintain IV lines.
• Experience in preparing animals for surgery and operation of gas anesthetic machines, and monitor anesthesia for an animal.
• Demonstrated experience in completing technical/medical procedures such as catheterization of veins and lymph vessels, euthanasia, etc.
• Experience operating both steam/high-pressure and gas commercial/research sterilizers and the decontamination processes. Knowledge of laboratory safety practices, record keeping, biological indicator validation.

POSITION SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Will be on-call for after hour emergencies with students when facility director and facility manager are unavailable.
• Have ability to cover weekend and holiday shifts; will cover student call offs if necessary.
• Will have exposure to zoonotic pathogens.
  This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Feeding livestock.
• Assess the health of the livestock including while under active research projects and all responses seen in an animal from specific research procedures.
• Maintain detailed livestock records for each animal.
• Supervise up to 5 student employees in animal care duties and preparation room responsibilities. Train student employee staff in all job responsibilities.
• Assist with research procedures and the aseptic collection of blood and tissues; operation of endoscopes, completing technical/medical procedures such as catheterization of veins, euthanasia.
• Operating gravity displacement sterilizers, gas autoclaves, and vaporized hydrogen peroxide generators to sterilize supplies, decontaminating bio-hazard waste, and decontaminating livestock areas.
• Thorough understanding of biosafety levels and biohazard procedures and the ability to train employees on biohazard procedures.
• Familiarity with breeding livestock including synchronization processes.
• Lambing and calving experience. The ability to work the necessary hours to successfully lamb or calve. i.e., nightshifts, weekends, holidays, etc.
• Teach standard lab safety work practices and ensure compliance with all SOPs.
• Operation of common farm equipment such as a skid steer, tractor, etc.
• Assist WIMU instructors as needed.
• Oversee student employee work hours.