Description

The Institute is building a large Aquatics Core Facility that maintains several thousand tanks of research fish for multiple principal investigators, requiring highly specialized aquatics husbandry and functions. In addition to this facility, many smaller facilities for zebrafish and other aquatic species are maintained independently on the University of Wisconsin-Madison campus. The senior aquatics specialist will initially function in a technician level capacity with the potential for a promotion to management and the associated responsibilities increasing as the facility grows and additional support staff are hired. The number of animals in the facility is expected to grow steadily as research programs expand.

Duties Include:

· Perform animal husbandry and basic needs of facility operations, may include weekends and holidays.

· Troubleshoot and triage emergency situations, this may include nights, weekends, and/or holidays.

· Work with Director to ensure services are provided for researchers and animals at a high level.

· Work with Director to develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures.

· Train new husbandry technicians, students and interns.

· Perform technical services including, but not limited to, invitro fertilizations, microinjections, sperm cryopreservation, etc.

· Manage the import and export of fish globally and ensure biosecurity measures are controlled.

· Maintain facility cleanliness and perform routine testing as required by protocol.

· Ensure facility equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operating correctly.

· Work with Director and veterinarians to identify and resolve any animal health concerns.

· Engage and consult with researchers to ensure research goals are being met by the most humane and ethical methods in accordance with approved protocols.

· Foster a collaborative and educational environment for students and interns.

· Other miscellaneous duties as required. 

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

Education and Experience:

· A bachelor’s degree in aquatic sciences, animal care, or a closely related field

· A minimum of 4-years of full-time experience working in aquaculture or fisheries position contributing to an understanding of aquaculture equipment operation, fish health, fish husbandry, and water chemistry.

· A master’s degree in a related field can substitute for 2-years of experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

· Specific experience with zebrafish husbandry and systems strongly desired.

· Strong ability to exercise independent judgment with minimal direction. 

· Ability to advise on experimental design and efficiency related to animal care and use. 

· Ability and willingness to train others.

· Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills. 

· Strong oral and written communication skills.

· Ability to work with others in a focused laboratory setting.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

· Work is normally performed in an animal vivarium and/or laboratory setting.

· Responsibilities require staff to be on their feet the majority of the time and will periodically need to lift items up to 50 lbs. Work will be performed in and around wet conditions that require extra attention to surroundings. 

· Duties may require working with or around malodorous smells, hazardous chemicals, and/or aquatic animal waste.