Animal Biologist - Small Animal

ACI Federal is seeking a Animal Biologist Small Animal to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the Clinical Center (CC) located in Bethesda, MD.

Overall Position Summary and Objectives

​The purpose of this position is to perform and train veterinary procedures to laboratory and research scientists and fellows and assist in therapeutic ultrasound procedures in experimental animals including mice, and rats; operating computer and laboratory equipment; aid in the development of Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) protocols; participate in the planning of and performs research studies; ordering and maintaining the necessary supplies for laboratory imaging use; demonstrate the proper use and methods associated with MRI scanners and associated software and develop new methods and procedures or substantially modify existing guideline to resolve technical problems.

Deliverables:

• ​Clean Equipment - Daily
• Meet with lab members to present updates - Weekly
• Attend lab meetings - Weekly
• Maintain files on studies being performed in the lab - Bi-Weekly
• Prepare data and images for use in research presentations and publications - Bi-Weekly

Work Details:

• Study the principles of living systems, with particular focus on the effects on animal biology, veterinary medicine, imaging techniques and ancillary laboratory equipment and up to date with the current Animal Care and Use Committee (ACUC) for appropriate care of animals. Maintain and update animal protocols for new and existing techniques. 1
• Prepares animals for experimental imaging and therapeutic studies including anesthesia, shave, Nair, injection catheters, physiological monitoring, retro-orbital infusion, intraarterial infusion, intracardiac injection, subcutaneous tumor implantation, intraperitoneal injection, surgical techniques, necropsies, blood and tissue sample collection, and proper disposal of animal carcasses. 2
• Carry out molecular biological experiments, including cell culture, tissue homogenization, protein and RNA extraction techniques, multiplex enzyme-linker immunosorbent assay, Western blotting, RT-PCR, tissue handling and flow cytometry. 3
• Perform a variety of specialized tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, staining and immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence techniques and perform analysis of animal tissues; prepare frozen slices and paraffin section, appropriately stained to demonstrate normal and abnormal structures and performs light and confocal microscopy. 4
• Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases; collect, quantitative analysis; data analysis, figure preparation, and image acquisition; maintain complete and detailed records of all experiments and interpret data. 5
• Studies the basic principles of animal life and the effects of varying environmental factors.
• Conducts research and performs experiments on the selection and breeding of animals.
• Maintain spreadsheet of experiment animal records and clinical care/observations.
• Maintains animal colonies.
• Handle, dissect and euthanize animals.
• Performs simple surgeries on animals.
• Handle experimental animals including tail vein injections, administration of anesthesia and monitoring of animal viral signs.
• Prepares and analyzes animal tissues.
• Perform experiments and maintain primary tissues and cells in culture, utilizing sterile techniques.
• Performs molecular biology techniques.
• Performs immunohistochemistry on animal tissues.
• Work with staff to process tissue for immunohistochemistry.
• Analyzes experimental data.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5 represents priority rankings, where 1 is highest priority and 5 is lowest priority of those ranked

Minimum Education

Bachelor

Additional Qualifications:
Field of Study

• Biology
• Molecular Biology
• Physiology
• Pharmacology
• Biomedical Engineering
• Nuclear, Industrial Radiology, and Biological Technologies

Software

• Knowledge of computers including an understanding of computer hardware, knowledge of a variety of operating systems.

Skills

• Knowledge of magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) safety standards, Therapeutic Ultrasound, imaging physics, devices, and techniques that effect imaging technique

Apply now!