Transgenic Model Core Technician III

Summary

Level III provides direct supervision and decision-making of rodent breeding colonies. This job requires routine and non-routine procedures as requested by various authorities including the immediate supervisor, manager, veterinarians, research investigators, or experimental protocol. The work is performed under direct supervision. This position is responsible for carrying out the Animal Care Services’ (ACS) directives and SOPs as governed by the Animal Welfare Act and all applicable rules and regulations. Reports any suspected or actual deviations to SOPs or non-routine situations immediately to their supervisor, manager, or their designee. Uses aseptic procedures to minimize contamination as required. Ensures housing and environmental compliance with the “NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”.

Examples of Work

Job functions are specific duties that would be included in the essential functions of the job description. These functions are not all-inclusive nor do they cover the full extent of the duties performed.

• Performs duties of Transgenic Breeding Technician I and II.
• Fully responsible for all phases of working with and managing rodent transgenic colonies for Investigators and their staff.
• Responsible for the mouse colony management of 50-100 different strains of mice and about 10-20 different labs.
• Creates and adjusts mouse colony sizes and genetics as needed to ensure research labs get their mouse models on time to complete their work and grant proposals.
• Gives guidance and advice to Investigators and their lab staff in regards to breeding techniques, procedures, and experiences in order to maximize or optimize goals.
• Understands heterozygous, homozygous, wild type, Cre, and Flox genetics.
• Create and solve Punnett Squares using heterozygous, homozygous, wild type, Cre, and Flox genetics.
• Verifies accuracy of genotyping results from labs, recognizes errors, and immediately brings them to the attention of the research lab.
• Routinely interacts with research lab staff and Investigators to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and mouse model needs via email, phone, and in person meetings.
• Forecasts timelines based on the investigators’ needs and when they can expect to have their experimental models ready for experiments.
• Performs timed matings and copulation plug checks for investigators and the Core.
• Provides cost quotes and analysis for investigators based on their experimental needs.
• Responsible for creating correct mating schemes based on Punnett Squares to a variety of transgenic rodent colonies to ensure legitimacy of investigators’ experimental work.
• Determines the work needed to be done for each colony they oversee and creates a weekly technical list to be performed by Level II Breeding Technicians.
• Must carefully observe and understand animal behavior, which is colony specific and report any deviations or phenotypes to the Investigator.
• Assists with training of Level I and Level II Transgenic Model Core Technicians.
• May perform sperm cryopreservation service and/or IP hormone injections for the Core.
• Assists area manager with microinjections, embryo transfers, mouse IVF, mouse embryo collection, oviduct collects, and any new techniques or services as needed.
• Responsible for oversight of Mouse Models Breeding Core operations in the absence of the area manager.

Education and Experience

High school diploma and three years of appropriate experience; or certification as a Laboratory Animal Technician or above by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. Appropriate college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Licensure and Certification

none

Supervision

May supervise and direct daily activities of Transgenic Breeding Technician levels I and II.

To see common career pathways for each position at the University of Florida please visit the Career Paths section of the UFHR website.