Life Science Technician I

This position is represented by SEIU Local 2007 and the collective bargaining agreement between the university and SEIU Local 2007 governs the terms and conditions of employment.

About Us:

The Veterinary Service Center (VSC) at Stanford University provides Laboratory Animal Care and operates within the Department of Comparative Medicine. We are fully accredited by the Association for Accreditation and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC). Our vision is to pioneer in laboratory animal care, driving research innovations from bench to bedside.

Position Summary:

Anticipated Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (6:45-3:15PM or 7:00-3:30PM).

The Veterinary Service Center within the Department of Comparative Medicine is seeking an Life Science Technician I (Business Title- Breeding Colony Technician). The technician will have the primary responsibility of maintaining and analyzing genotypic data, breeding and maintaining various strains of mice, keeping complete and accurate records of procedures, and will also observe animals and obtain biologic specimens.

Life Science Technician I positions involve relatively simple techniques performed independently according to specific and detailed instructions. The technician may also be learning some skilled techniques under close supervision as a part of the job. Simple procedures are defined as those which require limited training. They do not require highly delicate manipulation or precise observation. The characteristic duties typically require entry level technical skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) Certification as Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT), or Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT).
• Experience with rodent weaning and genotyping.
• Experience with lab animal inventory management systems.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (to the below under "Responsibilities"):

• Must be able to read, write, understand, communicate and follow written and oral instructions provided in English.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Applications, Google Sheets & Docs, and general database systems.
• Basic desktop computational skills and familiarity with handheld device (e.g. iPad).
• Must be able to follow detailed instructions and keep accurate records.
• Must be able to work with team members in a cooperative fashion and have good communications skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stand, walk, twist, bend, stoop, squat, grasp lightly, use fine manipulation, grasp forcefully, perform desk-based computer tasks, use telephone, write by hand.
• Must be able to stand and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
• Occasionally lift and handle materials up to 10 lbs.
• Rarely carry/pull and/or push up to 20 lbs.
• Must have correctible vision to perform duties of the job.
• Position may require repetitive motion.

Working Conditions:

• Work occurs in a secured facility, in an environment where animals are used for teaching and research.
• Work occurs in the vicinity of animals, chemicals, gasses, or hazardous materials.
• Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures including wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) if required. Expected to follow all safety requirements and procedures.
• Must be free of animal related allergies.
• Must be available to work occasional overtime as needed.
• The successful candidate will be required to complete an initial and annual Occupational Health Surveillance Questionnaire and may be required to undergo a physical examination and immunizations.

Work Standards:

• When conducting university business, must comply with the California Vehicle Code and Stanford University driving requirements.
• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations. Promote Culture of Safety:
• Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University''s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu, and the appropriate Collective Bargaining Agreement at https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/workplace-essentials/employee-labor-relations/labor-relations-collective-bargaining/seiu-higher

Core Duties:

• Very simple animal dissection such as removing a readily accessible organ, preparation before and assistance during surgery, administration of medication and post-surgery care.
• Histological procedures involving fixation of tissue and staining specimens with stains that do not require microscopic control in proceeding from step to step.
• Maintenance and transfer of established cell lines where the culture conditions are well defined.
• Biochemical assays (often colorimetric or spectrophotometric) of compounds or enzymatic activity using well-established procedures where the determination of any settings or adjustments is provided to the technician.
• Molecular biology assays (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing reactions) where the protocol is well established.
• Operation of instruments (e.g., spectrophotometer, fraction collector, scintillation counter, PCR machines, light microscope, cell counter) where the settings are simple or prescribed; techniques such as centrifugation (not involving density gradients) or limited black and white photography.
• Isolation, purification and maintenance of bacteria and basic manipulation of bacterial plasmids using well-established protocols; determination of the concentration of cells.
• Complete and accurate documentation of the work performed.

Minimum Education and Experience

One year's employment experience in laboratory work or a combination of equivalent education and relevant work experience/training (e.g., one year of college science).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Work requires the ability to follow detailed instructions and keep accurate records.

Core Duties:

• Very simple animal dissection such as removing a readily accessible organ, preparation before and assistance during surgery, administration of medication and post-surgery care.
• Histological procedures involving fixation of tissue and staining specimens with stains that do not require microscopic control in proceeding from step to step.
• Maintenance and transfer of established cell lines where the culture conditions are well defined.
• Biochemical assays (often colorimetric or spectrophotometric) of compounds or enzymatic activity using well-established procedures where the determination of any settings or adjustments is provided to the technician.
• Molecular biology assays (polymerase chain reaction, sequencing reactions) where the protocol is well established.
• Operation of instruments (e.g., spectrophotometer, fraction collector, scintillation counter, PCR machines, light microscope, cell counter) where the settings are simple or prescribed; techniques such as centrifugation (not involving density gradients) or limited black and white photography.
• Isolation, purification and maintenance of bacteria and basic manipulation of bacterial plasmids using well-established protocols; determination of the concentration of cells.
• Complete and accurate documentation of the work performed.

Minimum Education and Experience

One year's employment experience in laboratory work or a combination of equivalent education and relevant work experience/training (e.g., one year of college science).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Work requires the ability to follow detailed instructions and keep accurate records.