Lead Animal Technician, Neuroscience

Job Summary:

The lead research technician assists Neuroscience personnel in coordinating efforts on the day-to-day operations of active studies. They assist Study Directors (SDs) and Study Coordinators in accurately and efficiently conducting animal studies and supervise in-life study execution, clinical observations, and treatments to ensure compliance with policies and procedures. They also provide leadership, training, and technical oversight to more junior technicians.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Directly works with the in-vivo group to conduct required study activities.

• Assist SDs and Study Coordinators to ensure study protocol, schedules, formulations, and sample collections are correct and properly communicated to the research team.  

• Assists Study Coordinators with the creation or verification of cage cards, sample collection prep labels, and data files.

• Read and understand IACUC protocols, SOPs, and all study protocols, demonstrating familiarity with critical timepoints

• Assists in disease induction procedures.

• Administer doses of compounds to rats and mice via common dosing routes, including but not limited to oral, intravenous, subcutaneous, and intraperitoneal.

• Perform data collections, including weighing, clinical observations, health assessments, post operative monitoring, and disease progression scoring.

• Perform blood collections from rats and mice via tail vein, retro-orbital, and terminal blood draws and process these samples via centrifugation for plasma and/or serum.

• Perform behavioral testing (e.g. Cognitive, Motor, Mood, Von Frey, etc.) and in vitro work.  Train other technicians in these areas as needed.

• Review facility schedules, dose formulation calculations, cage cards, spreadsheets, and study protocols for consistency and accuracy before the first dose event

• Review live phase data on all active studies for consistency and accuracy

• Assist in formulating experimental compounds for administration.

• Maintain study-related forms (e.g. data sheets, health assessments, found dead forms, and moribund forms)

• Independently perform tissue collections and dosing after training with SD

• Assist with the preparation and execution of necropsies, tissue collection (terminal and interim) and surgeries for the Neuroscience department

• Keep laboratory clean and maintain inventory of all team supplies (e.g. media, plates, reagents, surgical tools, etc.) and study-specific test articles.

• Supports and participates in other duties and company initiatives as directed

• Various software applications sustained by a Windows platform. (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.)  

• Use of general laboratory equipment, including but not limited to balances, syringes and needles, blood collection tubes, centrifuges, pipettes, formalin collection jars, liquid nitrogen, -80 freezers, incubators, fluid/syringe pumps, chemical and clean hoods, PPE (lab coat, gloves, face mask or respirator, shoe covers, hair nets, eye protection), quarantine/isolation rooms, autoclaves, and necropsy hand tools.

• Other tasks as assigned

Education & Experience:

• M.S./B.S./B.A. in science (biology or equivalent; neuroscience preferred) with 1-3 years of direct animal behavioral work experience, or Associate degree with 4 years direct laboratory animal work experience, or 6 years of direct laboratory animal work experience without a college science degree, or equivalent combination of related education and required work experience will be considered with management approval.

• Animal laboratory research experience with mice and rats, including dosing, in-life sample collections, and necropsy collections.

• Preferred experience in neuroscience disease area research, including behavioral assessments, stereotaxic surgery in rodents, and neuroanatomy.

Skills & Abilities:   

• Demonstrates a working knowledge and awareness of general laboratory procedures. 

• Demonstrates an ability to follow detailed instructions, work independently, and work in a team environment.

• Demonstrates an ability to use computer software to compile and maintain study data and reports for study records and sample inventory.

• Demonstrates a positive attitude and respect for co-workers, managers, and other employees.   

• Exhibits a basic understanding of GLP, AAALAC, OLAW, USDA, OHS, PHS, The Guide, and IACUC regulations and standards with consistent application of these practices. 

• Exhibits accuracy performing laboratory operations.

• Exhibits an aptitude for quality, an eye for detail, the ability to follow written instructions and work with a minimum of supervision.  

• Exhibits good written and oral communication skills and suitable organization skills

• Maintains a commitment to adhere to all safety regulations and procedures.  

*This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience. This is a non-exempt role paying $25-$27/hour and can adjust along with the level of the role to match the person’s relevant experience and/or education level.

*This position could be offered at different levels for candidates who qualify with a combination of advanced levels of education and/or years of experience.  The salary range will adjust along with the level of the role to match the person’s relevant experience and/or education level.

At Inotiv, our work helps advance the development of new medicines and therapies that can improve people's lives. As a leading global contract research organization (CRO), we partner with researchers to tackle complex scientific challenges, drive innovation, and help build a healthier, safer world. Bringing together scientists, researchers, technical experts, and business professionals, we provide the expertise and collaboration needed to move research forward. Our people make this work possible, and we value the knowledge, ideas, and contributions each person brings to the team. Whether you are starting your career or bringing years of experience, Inotiv offers opportunities to learn, grow, and play a meaningful role in advancing treatments for patients around the world.

Salary will be commensurate with experience and responsibilities. Benefits include health and dental coverage, short- and long-term disability, paid time off, paid parental leave, 401K, and more!

Inotiv is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide a fair and equal employment opportunity to all persons, regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. This policy governs all aspects of employment, including selection, job assignment, compensation, discipline, termination and access to benefits and training.