Vivarium Manager/Animal Care Specialist
Location
Collegeville, PA | United States
Job description
Department
Academic Affairs
Overview
The Vivarium Manager/Animal Care Specialist will manage the day-to-day operation of our 1500 square foot state-of-the-art Animal Facility, maintain the health and well-being of the animals in the facility, and work with the IACUC to ensure that Ursinus College complies with all federal guidelines. Our animal facility currently houses several hundred mice and approximately 100 amphibians. The facility has the capacity to add rats and other aquatic animals in the future. The Animal Vivarium serves students and faculty in the Biology, Neuroscience, Psychology and Health Sciences departments.
Responsibilities
- Ensure that all federal guidelines for animal care and use are followed.
- Serve as the administrator for the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and maintain all IACUC record-keeping.
- Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for animal research program.
- Order food, bedding, and general supplies for vertebrates and invertebrates.
- Manage animal vivarium budget and prepare regular reports.
- Assist faculty in preparation of animal care protocol applications to IACUC.
- Perform routine animal care activities such as ensuring food and water availability and changing bedding of animals, cleaning animal cages.
- Check the health of animals and ensure proper husbandry and sanitation.
- Coordinate animal care and participate in Post Approval Monitoring (PAM) in conjunction with the veterinarian.
- Perform general maintenance and annual cleaning of the animal rack system and other vivarium equipment including cage-washer.
- Maintain the zebrafish aquaria and amphibian habitats.
- Maintain all records for animal feeding and watering schedules.
- Maintain a log of animal room temperature, humidity, and operational status of the air filtering system.
- Make certain that light, temperature, water quality, and other experimental regimes are maintained (instructions to be provided by research faculty)
- Coordinates all biohazard waste disposal.
- Train and supervise student researchers and student workers.
- Oversee and participate in animal care over summer, fall, winter, and spring breaks.
Requirements and Qualifications
- Associate degree required. Bachelors degree preferred
- Research animal experience preferred
- Prior experience with animal care and handling is required
- Excellent communication skills
- Ability to work as part of a team
Application
Interested candidates should apply here. Once you create an applicant account, you will be prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database.
Ursinus is an AA/EO employer. Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.
Job tags
Salary
