Research Technician III

The R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy invites applicants to apply to join our team as a Research Technician III. This position will provide advanced technical support for preclinical neuroscience research involving genetically modified mouse models. Primary responsibilities include, independently organizing and maintaining breeding colonies, performing genotyping, and coordinating animal study schedules under established protocols. Conducting approved animal procedures and tissue collection, maintaining complete experimental records, troubleshooting technical issues, and training laboratory personnel in authorized techniques. Position is primarily on-site due to animal care and experimental responsibilities.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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• Independently manage multiple mouse colonies: plan breeding crosses to meet study needs; monitor breeding performance, births, weaning, health and aging cohorts; identify and track animals; collect samples and perform PCR genotyping; maintain accurate colony databases and coordinate animal availability with research staff.
• Troubleshoot breeding and colony-management problems and communicate issues promptly.
• Perform and coordinate animal experiments under approved IACUC protocols, including handling and restraint, drug preparation and administration by approved injection routes, anesthesia and perioperative monitoring, approved survival or nonsurvival surgical procedures, and behavioral testing.
• Monitor animal welfare, document procedures, and recognize and escalate complications.
• Collect tissues and biological specimens at defined experimental endpoints using approved euthanasia and dissection methods.
• Perform perfusion and brain/spinal cord and peripheral tissue dissections as required; process, label, preserve, inventory, and transfer specimens for histology, molecular assays and other analyses.
• Maintain sample traceability and accurate experimental records.
• Coordinate day-to-day animal study logistics: schedule breeding, aging cohorts, treatments, surgeries and tissue collections; prepare supplies and maintain equipment and inventories; record observations and experimental results; troubleshoot technical workflows; and work with veterinary and animal-care personnel to maintain protocol compliance and research continuity.
• Train and guide students and junior laboratory personnel in mouse handling, breeding records, genotyping, injections, specimen collection, aseptic technique and documentation, as authorized.
• Reinforce laboratory standard operating procedures, animal welfare practices and required training records; identify opportunities to improve reproducibility and workflow efficiency.
• Train and guide students and junior laboratory personnel in mouse handling, breeding records, genotyping, injections, specimen collection, aseptic technique and documentation, as authorized.
• Reinforce laboratory standard operating procedures, animal welfare practices and required training records; identify opportunities to improve reproducibility and workflow efficiency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to provide advanced mouse breeding and colony recordkeeping; PCR genotyping; animal handling, injections, aseptic procedures and tissue collection.
• Ability to provide careful scheduling and sample tracking; independent technical troubleshooting; clear communication; animal welfare, IACUC protocol compliance and documentation.
• Ability to guide and train junior staff.

This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.

• High school diploma is required.
• Minimum of five years of relevant experience.

• Strongly preferred: extensive hands-on mouse colony management, genotyping, animal procedures and tissue collection.
• All required IACUC and institutional animal training and protocol authorizations must be completed before independent procedures.