Lab & Research Specialist
Benefits of working at VCU
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit,retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.
Job Code
34051
Recruitment Pool
All Applicants
Posting Number
req5905
Unit
VP Research MBU
Department
Research and Innovation
Department Website Link
https://research.vcu.edu/
Location
VCU
Address
907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA
Duties & Responsibilities
VIRGINIA COMMONWEALTH UNIVERSITY
Welcome to Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) ...
a world unlike any other! At VCU we combine learning, research, creativity, service and discovery with a commitment to inclusive excellence. Ranked by U.S. News as one of the 30 "most innovative" public universities in the country, VCU is a premier, urban, public research university home to multiple nationally ranked programs.
VCU's Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation's (OVPRI) mission is to foster transformative research, discovery and innovation at Virginia Commonwealth University through excellence in service.
Through our passion for discovery and willingness to take on challenges, we continue to advance the work that matters most and position the university as a national leader in research, innovation, creativity and scholarship.Our commitment has resulted in record levels of sponsored research and has placed VCU among the nation's premier public research universities.OVPRI link https://research.vcu.edu/
Summary:
The Cancer Mouse Models Core (CMMC) is a shared research resources at VCU and the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, which provide expertise and services related to mouse models of cancer and genetically modified mice. Xenograft mouse models are essential tools in cancer research. The purpose of the CMMC is to make these technologies readily available and cost-effective for VCU investigators.
We are seeking a full-time technician. The primary responsibilities in the CMMC will include: 1) receiving patient cancer specimens and performing injections in mice to develop Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) and build our PDX repository; 2) maintaining and managing the NSG mouse colony in the Massey barrier vivarium; 3) providing high-level care and monitoring of animals housed in the ultra-barrier to prevent infections; 4) performing animal imaging; 5) performing animal surgeries and drug delivery; and 6) training users and customers in various animal procedures and equipment operation.
A high level of autonomy in carrying out these duties will be expected. Under the supervision of the core director and laboratory manager, this technician will be responsible for serving our clients by following our standard procedures and policies.
Typical Duties

• Receiving orders
• Maintaining NSG colony
• Collecting samples for genotyping mouse models
• Sending samples for analysis
• Tracking colony management on-line/computer assisted
• Receiving patient tissue
• Developing, expanding and banking patient derived xenograft models
• Animal monitoring and care
• Imaging
• Animal surgery and drug delivery
• Communicating with clients about technicalissues and service needs
• Billing and ordering
• General lab maintenance

Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Animal research lab experience is preferred;familiarity with mouse anatomy and basic genetics is a plus. BS degree is preferred.
Minimum Qualifications
The candidate should have the ability to apply knowledge of basic animal techniques and lab safety, be able to follow directions and defined procedures, perform a variety of routine tasks, and be able to work well with other core members as a team player. Verbal and written communication skills are required in order to interact with other core members and clients to discuss technical issues related to the services and the lab. The candidate must follow the VCU policies for the job code. Ability to work in a diverse environment required.
FLSA
University Employee
Job FTE
100%
Exemption Status
Non-Exempt
Restricted Position
Yes
E-Class
UF - University Employee FT
Job Category
University Employee
ORP Eligible
No
Salary Range
$50,000-$60,000
Compensation Type
Salaried
Target Hire Date
8/5/2024
Contact Information for Candidates
Documents Needed to Apply
resume