Research Technician
Overview
Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.
Requirements
- Performing small animal surgeries as well as drug administration and in vivo imaging in accordance with SOP (training will be provided).
- Maintaining animal rooms and other facility areas in accordance with accepted standards of sanitation. Procedures involved include organization of supplies and routine disinfection of research equipment.
- Monitoring rodent colonies for sick, injured or dead animals. Recording and reporting such findings in accordance with SOP. Harvesting/processing tissues from mice in accordance with SOP. Administer special diets and medicated water to rodents as required.
- Operating and maintaining laboratory research equipment/supplies within vivarium including, but not limited to equipment/tool related to animal surgery and imaging.
- Technical duties may include but not limited to surgical manipulation, in vivo imaging, blood collection, drug dosing of rodents and euthanasia.
- Proper record keeping including room logs, health reports and autoclave records as required. This will include use of computerized data collections systems for cage census and health status.
- The ability to perform all duties while strictly adhering to established SOPs and in compliance with local, state, federal and institutional guidelines and regulations is a requirement. Basic computer skills are needed for computerized record keeping in accordance with established procedures.
A normal workday consists of prolonged standing, bending, stretching and repetitive motion. Normal hand and eye coordination is required for many tasks. Routine duties require lifting up to 50 pounds and moving heavy equipment, supplies, etc. Will be required to push/pull a loaded one-cubic-yard tilt truck or cage rack. A constant amount of ear strain will be associated with the operation of washroom equipment, mobile exhaust equipment, laminar flow workbenches, and biosafety cabinets.
Also requires handing, dumping and scraping soiled animal bedding from cages. Hazardous waste disposal may involve packaging animal carcasses, soiled bedding, chemically treated materials and trash from Biosafety Level 1/2/3 areas.
All aspects of this position expose personnel to animal fur and dander.
Disinfectants, detergents and soaps are used in daily sanitation assignments.
Personnel are required wear scrubs, disposable gowns, disposable or non-disposable N95 respirators and latex or nitrite gloves while working in animal rooms and/or cage wash areas.