Zebrafish Facilities Assistant Manager - Durham, NC
The Duke University School of Medicine Zebrafish Core Facilities (Z-Core) is a shared resource that offers aquaculture services to a diverse group of biomedical researchers using zebrafish as a model organism. The Duke Z-Core is one of the largest and most respected biomedical aquaculture facilities in the world. The facility uses some of the most advanced recirculating aquaculture systems available and frequent renovations and expansions ensure Duke’s position along the leading edge of the industry. The tremendous increase using zebrafish in research has created a unique and growth-oriented environment for professionals looking to advance in aquatic science disciplines.
The Z-Core has an immediate opening for a full-time assistant facilities manager to provide aquaculture support and direct a husbandry staff supporting four facilities that collectively house over 12,000 tanks. Candidates should have at minimum a bachelor’s degree in a scientific discipline related to aquatics or animal care, with a master’s degree preferred. Two to three years of work experience contributing to an understanding of aquaculture equipment and maintenance, fish health and husbandry, and water chemistry is expected. A master’s degree can be substituted for work experience.
Work responsibilities include:
1.) Provide support to facility manager and researchers in the daily facility functions.
2.) Supervise and train technicians and student helpers on required duties.
3.) Respond to emergency situations (this may include responding at night or on weekends).
4.) Prepare stock solutions and track inventory necessary for research procedures and fish care.
5.) Manage quarantine room to ensure biosecurity measures are being exercised and fish strains are transitioned properly into general holding.
6.) Assist in developing or revising standard operating procedures.
7.) Orient new facility users.
8.) Feed fish, maintain cultures, and clean tanks as needed.
9.) Maintain facility cleanliness in tandem with the facility staff.
10.) Handle requirements of quarterly sanitation testing.
11.) Record and review daily water monitoring
12.) Perform daily health checks and work with veterinarians and facility manager to resolve any health abnormalities.
13.) Ensure facility equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operating correctly.
14.) Monitor embryo care, survival, and transfer of tanks on to or off of nursery racks.
15.) Maintenance of common facility wild-type, transgenic, and mutant stocks.
16.) Participate in bi-weekly staff meetings.
17.) Contribute ideas on facility improvements regarding equipment, procedures, and techniques.
18.) Interact and consult with facility users to ensure research goals are being met by the most humane and ethical methods in accordance with approved protocols.
Other duties may be required as necessary. Training will be provided as needed. Occasional weekend and holiday work is required.
Working conditions:
The assistant facility manager will be on his/her feet a majority of the time and will periodically need to lift items up to 50lbs. Work will be performed in or around wet conditions that require extra caution. Work may result in occasional exposure to malodorous smells, chemicals, and fish and bacterial waste.
Start date late August or early September.
Salary: DOE/DOQ
If interested please send cover letter and resume to Jim Burris, Facilities Manager, at jim.burris@duke.edu.