Study Support Technician - Behavior & Experimental

About the role:

The Behavior Study Support Technician (SSTI) position will provide services related to rodent husbandry, behavior, and experimental procedures to support scientific research at Janelia. Under general supervision, the position will be focused on ensuring the highest degree of animal care and welfare while supporting and working with Janelia researchers conducting science in a dynamic team-oriented environment.

Please note: this position requires a fixed schedule of either Sunday through Thursday or Tuesday through Saturday.

About Department:

The Behavior/Experimental Support Team at Janelia offers a wide array of services, including behavioral training, model development, specialized husbandry support, and the care of essential experimental animals within the food and water restriction program. Our mission encompasses optimizing scientific productivity for researchers while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare are upheld across all our endeavors.

What we provide:

• A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits.

• An opportunity to broaden research experience in a collaborative environment.

• A team that believes in continuous learning and cultivates an environment of collaboration.

• Professional development opportunities through internal and external conferences and workshops.

What you'll do:

• Ensure a high-level of care to rodents in non-standard housing environments.

• Conducts basic to mid-level support on weekdays and weekends related to the care of water and food restricted rodents (e.g., daily health checks, clean cages, database entry, etc.)

• Receive, examine, and properly house incoming animal shipments.

• Clean and sanitize animal holding or procedure rooms.

• Assist team with stocking and room organization.

• Provide basic support for behavioral projects, such as handling and rig acclimation.

• Monitor animals before, during, and after experimental procedures.

• May collect and record data related to behavioral studies, Vivarium-led projects, and other procedures performed to support researchers' studies.

• May assist other team members and supervisor with training relating to restrictions or other experimental support.

What you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in life science or any other related field (alternative combinations of education and experience will be considered; such as High School diploma and 4 years of experience working with vertebrate animal species).

• ALAT certified with AALAS within one year.

• Six months of experience working with vertebrate animal species.

• Experience in a basic or applied science research setting preferred. This could include academic, industry, or non-profit.

• Ability to identify changes in animal's behavior and health and provide basic prescribed treatments.

• Enthusiastic, self-motivated, and quick learning individual.

• Excellent skills in Microsoft Office and/or Google Docs

• Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative, rapidly changing environment to accomplish mutual goals.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication, written and verbal, skills to deal effectively with research scientists, laboratory technical staff, administrative staff, and management, outside contractors, and vendors.

Physical Requirements:

The following is the minimum physical requirements.

• Regularly required to sit, stand, move from one area to another, and reach with arms and hands.

• Regularly lifts, moves, and/or carries objects weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Occasionally stoops and bends.

• Regularly required to type at a computer.

• Work is performed in a research animal facility where personnel are exposed to laboratory animal caging, sounds, and smells of various species including, but not limited to mice, rats, and aquatic species.

• Personnel may be exposed to wet, above average temperatures, and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, biohazard materials and risk of electrical shock.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and occasionally high.

Please Note:

This job description sets forth the job's principal duties, responsibilities, and requirements; it should not be construed as an exhaustive statement, however. Unless they begin with the word "may," the Essential Duties and Responsibilities described above are "essential functions" of the job, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

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Compensation and Benefits

Our employees are compensated from a total rewards perspective in many ways for their contributions to our mission, including competitive pay, exceptional health benefits, retirement plans, time off, and a range of recognition and wellness programs. Visit our Benefits at HHMI site to learn more.

Compensation Range

Pay Type:

HHMI's salary structure is developed based on relevant job market data. HHMI considers a candidate's education, previous experiences, knowledge, skills and abilities, as well as internal equity when making job offers. Typically, a new hire for this position in this location is compensated between the minimum and the midpoint of the salary range.

HHMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer