Research Staff Assistant

• Job Type: Support Staff - Non-Union
• Bargaining Unit:
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• End Date if Temporary:
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Standard Work Schedule:
• Building: Jerome L. Greene Science Center
• Salary Range: 73,000-77,000

Position Summary

Columbia University's Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute unites world-class scientists across diverse academic disciplines to conduct groundbreaking research that transforms our understanding of the brain and its influence on the mind and behavior.

As a leading neuroscience institute, our mission is to decipher the mind and brain to better understand behavior. Our researchers are committed to foundational science, uncovering the principles that shape how the brain develops, functions, and recovers.

With more than 50 labs, the Zuckerman Institute serves as a hub for collaboration, bringing together Columbia’s top scholars to drive research in bold new directions. Located in Manhattanville, our state-of-the-art Jerome L. Greene Science Center provides an inspiring home for discovery in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

The Zuckerman Institute at Columbia University is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as a Research Staff Assistant working in our ICM Vivarium Facility located in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center. The Research Staff Assistant will report to the Operations Lead and will be responsible for providing husbandry support to the Institute.

The ICM / Vivarium Facility is a 7 day a week operation. Applicants must have weekend and evening availability. The Veterinary Technician is an essential personnel role.

Responsibilities

• Triage animal health on a daily basis; maintain vet services laboratory including equipment and inventory; colony maintenance, manage preventive health and nutrition programs as prescribed by the veterinarians.
• Assist in surgical procedures including preparation, set up, maintenance, monitoring and recovery, necropsy instrument preparation and sterilization, sterile and nonsterile scrub assistance of aseptic surgeries, and other surgical preparation.
• Complete routine preventive maintenance of all surgical support equipment (e.g., intensive care units, anesthesia machines, etc.)
• Administer and direct clinical treatments as prescribed by the veterinarians as needed, injections, collect and analyze blood, perform CBC collection, urine, and fecal samples, tumor observation, mating, plug determinations, weaning, examination of animals including weighing, ear tagging, implants, routine serology screening for rodent surveillance and quarantine rooms and assist in Vet Services administrative tasks.
• Assist veterinary staff with necropsies on Peromyscus mice and birds.
• As directed by the veterinarians, contribute to the key programs for animals including environmental monitoring, environmental enrichment, acclimation animal training, and other programs as directed by the veterinarians.
• In compliance with the Animal Welfare Act, the Guide for Care, and Use of Laboratory Animals and university research guidelines maintain all aspects of laboratory animal care.
• Additional duties as assigned or necessary.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent years of experience to support education requirement, documented LVT or RVT or CVT.
• Two years of previous related work experience.
• License: Licensed Veterinary Technician, or Registered Veterinary Technician or Certified Veterinary Technician
• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work with all levels of employees.
• Must be able to work with various cleaning and sanitizing chemicals.
• Must be able to lift a minimum of 50lbs, climb, stoop, bend, reach, and stand for prolonged periods.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years of previous related experience working in a research or animal clinic, veterinary setting
• The successful candidate will have a private practice or equivalent experience. Expertise in vivarium species considered a plus.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Preferred knowledge of the following equipment: autoclaves, plasma or gas sterilization equipment, anesthetic monitoring equipment, anesthetic vaporizers, other surgical support equipment automated conveyor belt cleaning systems, disposal of waste materials.
• The ideal candidate must possess sound judgment with a collaborative style that fosters teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.
• Candidate should have experience with mechanical machinery and operations and be able to perform physical labor involving the breaking down and setting up of heavy caging.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.