Description
The Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) provides oversight for the animal care and use program which includes training and continued oversight of activities involving animals. This Instructional Support Technician position consists of two primary functions. As training coordinator, this individual works closely with new Principal Investigators (PIs), research personnel, and animal care personnel to relay general facility operations and teach rodent bio-methodology, as needed. In the post-approval monitoring capacity, this individual ensures compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional regulations and policies by monitoring research personnel and Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) staff to improve program compliance and research outcomes.
As Training Coordinator, specific responsibilities include:
Schedule and conduct mandatory in-person training orientation sessions for new PIs and new research lab personnel. These sessions cover specific operations of Binghamton's lab animal program and facility workflows and are scheduled as needed.
Hold rodent hands-on trainings for individuals or small groups to support their research goals. These trainings include but are not limited to:
Animal handling and restraint techniques
Injection techniques
Blood withdrawals
Breeding colony management
Rodent surgery support and aseptic technique
Euthanasia with CO2
As Post-Approval Monitor, the individual strives to establish a collaborative and educational partnership with PIs, the research teams, and the animal care staff to promote and ensure protocol and Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) compliance. These opportunities are used to exchange information on updated lab animal program policies, guidelines and SOPs. Specific responsibilities include:
Monitor activities on IACUC protocols.
Assist in information gathering in response to findings of noncompliance; report and share information with the IACUC.
Shadow LAR staff members to ensure husbandry tasks are carried out per SOPs.
Conduct facility rounds to ensure proper procedures are performed in the interest of personnel safety and animal welfare.
This person will also partner with the veterinary staff and the IACUC to develop policies, guidelines, and SOPs for the animal care program.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree or LVT/RVT and ALAT Certification
At least five years of work experience in a laboratory animal research facility
At least three years of rodent bio-methodology experience
Working knowledge of animal research policies and regulations (i.e., The Guide, Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare, Animal Welfare Act, and NYS Department of Health Regulations for laboratory animal facilities)
Proficiency in understanding and adherence to compliance of laboratory animal regulations
Experience in preparing and conducting trainings
Effective oral and written communication skills and project reporting skills
Preferred:
Working knowledge of accreditation related to Laboratory Animal Resources as applied in a university setting
Experience in reviewing and research protocols and/or working with an IACUC
Ability to communicate with an ethnically and culturally diverse campus community
Ability to follow all university policies, procedures, and guidelines including but not limited to safety, civility, information security, unions, and non-discrimination policies and procedures.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. If you currently need sponsorship or will need it in the future to maintain employment authorization, you do not meet eligibility requirements. Additionally, please note that Binghamton University is not an E-Verify employer.
