RESEARCH TECHNICIANIII

Job Summary 

The Achanta laboratory in the Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology is looking for a part-time Research Technician III.  The laboratory is interested in cardiopulmonary diseases and translational pain studies. This temporary position is renewable contingent on funding situation and may be terminated at any time. This position is not eligible for benefits offered by Duke University.  

Special conditions of employment 

Working schedule 

• Some of the animal studies may require overnight work at a frequency of once every 15 days. In such situations, the candidate can take one day off within that month/pay period.  

• Occasionally we will start studies early in the morning and end the study after hours. The candidate can adjust work hours accordingly in discussion with the investigator. 

• The work location will be on the Duke main campus and at Duke Farm. Some of the work including data analysis, writing animal protocols, and writing manuscripts may be carried out remotely.  

Occupational Health and Safety 

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed. Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required prior to working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:  

• TB testing and clearance (optional, unless required by EOHW); 

• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination); 

• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years); 

• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination); 

• Periodic physical examinations including respiratory fit tests; 

• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards. 

Hazard exposure 

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure to any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training. Lifting of animals on to the weighing scale or examination table is required. 

Work Performed 

• The incumbent will perform animal related activities as approved by the Duke IACUC 

• Surgical and Clinical duties under the direction of the principal investigator (PI) 

• Assists in and performs a variety of complex technical activities involved in the care and use of research animals 

• Monitors health status surveillance for all species; serves as liaison to the investigator in providing health care to the animals; administers daily treatments and medications for animals as instructed or required; assists in or provides routine and emergency medical treatment direction of the PI and Duke Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) veterinary team; 

• Performs routine health surveillance, diagnostic testing, and sample collection 

• Anesthetizes animals and assists in animal surgery as required; administers routine, post-operative, and daily treatments to animals as instructed, prescribed, and/or required; 

• Assists in diagnostic procedures including, but not limited to, imaging (X-Ray/C-arm, ultrasound, CT scans, MRIs, and others), endoscopies, biopsies, electrocardiogram, and others; 

• Collects or assists in collection of blood, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and other biological samples; submits samples to  veterinary diagnostic laboratory (VDL); perform routine hematologic, clinical chemistry, and parasitological tests as needed and in collecting and submitting biological specimens to VDL or external laboratories for analysis; 

• Assists with implementing activities to meet the behavioral and enrichment needs of various species including, but not limited to, behavioral assessments, socialization, operant training,  and others as assigned; 

• Monitors and evaluates potential problems relating to the welfare of animals; notifies PI and and/or takes action to correct changes in environmental conditions that affect the well-being of the animals; 

• Determines animal food needs and formulates and administers special diets to ensure adequate vitamins and trace mineral elements as needed or directed; 

• Assists in and performs necropsies, tissue collection, trimming, and processing; 

• Assists and performs humane euthanasia as needed or directed, in accordance with all applicable Duke and AVMA Guidelines; 

• Determines, sets up, and maintains instruments, material, and apparatus and operates complex clinical, surgical, and laboratory equipment required for veterinary interventions; After the study, cleans the surgical instruments, equipment used, clean/mop floor, pack surgical instruments and sterilize (autoclave/or gas sterilize).   

• Optional: get Duke Research Animal Coordinator Certification from the Duke Office of Animal Welfare Assurance. 

• The position is “Essential” as defined by Duke University Severe Weather Policy. Therefore, the incumbent is expected to monitor and give medications on weeknights, weekends, and holidays. The schedule can be arranged in discussion with the PI and work schedule can be adjusted accordingly. 

• Performs other duties related to the care of animals as assigned by the investigator. 

Scientific technical services 

• Coordinates and performs advanced technical animal procedures for researchers including (but not limited to) injections, blood collections, gavages, restraining, antibody production, surgical, anesthetic, and post-op support and care; interacts with researchers in scheduling and performing duties; maintains records and writes reports in accordance with general laboratory procedures.  

• Schedules and attends pre-study meetings with DLAR veterinarians and their team members. Provides feedback with protocol amendments/changes, etc. 

• Aids in managing and maintaining the organization, scheduling, development, documentation, etc. for a given project. Regularly assesses the progression of the project. Consistently meets service expectations in terms of timeliness and customer appreciation; 

• Orders supplies, drugs, and controlled substances.  

• Ensures that the laboratory remains complaint with Institutional Policies related to all animal activities. This includes IACUC, OLAW, USDA, and AAALAC Intl. policies; 

Record keeping 

• Maintains appropriate documentation for all duties in accordance with all applicable departmental, institutional, local, state, and federal SOPs, guidelines, policies, and regulations, and based on contemporary professional standards; 

• Maintains accurate clinical, surgical, anesthetic, and other records and logs in the animal medical files both electronically on LabArchives and paperwork. 

Training 

• Provide guidance and mentorship to various undergraduate students, externs/interns hosted by the laboratory 

• Performs other duties related to training as assigned by a Supervisor or the Veterinary Team. 

Administrative duties 

• Communicates diligently with the PI, DLAR Veterinary Team, and other scientific and DLAR staff on the health status of animals.  

• Files and maintains medical, procedural, diagnostic, and lab reports; 

• Assists with documentation for maintaining regulatory compliance; 

• Performs other administrative duties as assigned by the PI. 

Professional Conduct and Behavior 

• Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties, prompt attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback. 

• Our laboratory has zero tolerance for aggression. 

• Maintains professional standards and adheres to all federal, state, and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while when performing job duties; 

• Fosters teamwork and collegiality between the various collaborative groups and the scientific community. 

Others 

• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the PI. 

Skills 

• Optimizing mechanical ventilation; Clinical observations & evaluations of animal health status; assist in surgery; anesthetize and intubate dogs/swine/sheep/cattle/rabbits/cats; administer daily treatments and medications; basic animal restraint techniques; basic diagnostic lab techniques; basic radiographic positioning techniques; participate in enrichment plan; large animal technical skills; health evaluation and treatments; ability to follow and enhance enrichment plan for laboratory animals.  

Minimum Qualifications 

Education 

Work generally requires skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, psychology or other science related scientific field program. 

We are flexible with educations qualifications and encouraging potential candidates to submit their applications based on the combination of education and experiences.  

- DVM, DDS, MBBS, MD or equivalent medical degrees  

- Bachelors in animal sciences with a minimum of 3 years of working experience in laboratory research 

- Masters in animal research/biomedical research  

Experience  

Work requires two years of research experience. A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience. 

• Although we welcome applications with work experience or no experience. Preference will be given candidates with prior working experience.  

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.