Scientist (Animal Care)

Position Objective: Provide services as a Scientist in support of the overall functions of the  TB Imaging Program (TBIP), Division of Intramural Research (DIR) within the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Monitor and recover anesthetized NHPs and rabbits for procedures, including PET/CT scans.
• Provide critical care and intervention of an anesthetized patient, knowing when there is an issue and how to correct it.
• Administer veterinary drugs and experimental drugs to patients during procedures.
• Perform direct animal care research veterinary research services, and adhere to all animal handling protcols and radiation-use monitoring.
• Perform blood draws, catheter placement, intubation, injections, BALs, and other technical needs in NHPs and rabbits
• Process bloods and tissues according to specific needs of multiple experiments
• Attachment of monitoring probes for respiratory gating, temperature, blood CO2 and oxygen concentration to animals and correct/replicable positioning of animals on the scanner bed.
• Perform maintenance of radioactivity usage and disposal records, understanding and adherence to NIH radiation usage policies/procedures and safety guidelines. Act as authorized user of radiation.
• Manipulate infectious and radioactive NHPs and rabbits in a safe and proficient manner in ABSL Lab environment.
• Clearly communicate any changes in animals’ health status to facility veterinarian and appropriate team members
• Provide feedback on methods and technical procedures to improve upon, where applicable.
• Assist in analysis of pathology samples both at gross and histologic/microscopic level.
• Perform experiments in the ABSL-3 environment and must follow all satefy protocols and regulations when working in the ABSL.
• Maintain records and files of the image analysis and prepare graphics for reports and publication

Basic Qualifications:

• BS degree or higher in veterinary field is required.
• 4 or more years of working experience in a lab setting is required.
• Prior NHP handling experience required.
• Training in surgery or extensive practice in necropsy procedures and excellent knowledge of primate anatomy.
• Must have experience doing technical manipulations such as placing IV catheters, endotracheal intubation, femoral bleeds, handling, and restraint, BAL’s, anesthesia induction, maintenance and recovery, necropsy or surgery.
• Demonstrates knowledge of maintaining accurate and detailed records.
• Demonstrates knowledge of proper laboratory disposal methods and safety procedures.
• In-person work in the ABSL-3 and ABSL-2 environment required. Occasional remote work with computer systems allowed, with POC permission.
• Working in a ABSL-3 suite with animal contact.
• Good ability to understand and troubleshoot complex equipment.
• Ability to work in a team under supervision in ABSL-3 laboratory environments following SOPs
• Must be able to pass extensive background check and Public Trust 5 clearance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) with additional certifications strongly preferred, (RLAT or RVT/LVT as examples).

• Knowledge and prior experience with non-human primates (NHP) in an ABSL-3 setting preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in a high stress environment with non-technical and technical staff.
• Detail-oriented and possess strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects

*This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by this position.  

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

GAP Solutions provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to apply for a job, email us at recruiting@gapsi.com. You will need to reference the requisition number of the position in which you are interested. Your message will be routed to the appropriate recruiter who will assist you. Please note, this email address is only to be used for those individuals who need an accommodation to apply for a job. Emails for any other reason or those that do not include a requisition number will not be returned.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

This position is contingent upon contract award.