Animal Biologist Small Animal

Overview

Axle Informatics is a bioscience and information technology company that offers advancements in translational research, biomedical informatics, and data science applications to research centers and healthcare organizations nationally and abroad. With experts in biomedical science, software engineering, and program management, we focus on developing and applying research tools and techniques to empower decision-making and accelerate research discoveries. We work with some of the top research organizations and facilities in the country including multiple institutes at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Axle is seeking a highly ambitious, adaptable, structured, and detail-oriented Animal Biologist Small Animal to join our vibrant team at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) supporting the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) located in Bethesda, MD.

Overall Position Summary and Objectives Establish and maintain a record of laboratory supply usage; order, ship and receive lab supplies; document the usage of general laboratory supplies; communicate with vendors and suppliers about orders as well as be responsible for breeding and training transgenic mice.

Deliverables:

• Work products and documents related to establishing and maintaining records of laboratory supply usage; order, ship and receive lab supplies; document the usage of general laboratory supplies; communicate with vendors and suppliers about orders. - Daily
• Work Products and documents related to maintaining laboratory equipment; communicate with vendors for laboratory equipment service, repair and maintenance. - Daily
• Work Products and documents related to ensuring lab safety by making sure that all chemicals, especially flammable chemicals, are properly stored, used and disposed. - Daily
• Work Products and documents related to keeping track of drug logs and making sure all drugs are properly logged and used within expiration dates; replace sharp containers when necessary - Daily
• Work Products and documents related to preforming Immunohistochemistry - Daily

Work Details:

• Studies the basic principles of animal life and the effects of varying environmental factors.
• Conduct behavioral testing and perform surgery on small animal models.
• Perform behavioral assays in association with the primary research project.
• Conducts research and performs experiments on the selection and breeding of animals.
• Develop and maintain a spreadsheet of animal breeding records; record lineage, genotype, birth, death and experimental use of each animal.
• Set up animals to be available in numbers and at the time required.
• Anticipate animal needs for lab research and colony maintenance; adjust the number of breeding pairs accordingly.
• Determine best type of breeding units to set up for lab needs, including but not limited to continuous pairs, harems, and timed-pregnancies.
• Maintains animal colonies.
• Manage and breed animal colonies; genotype animals and report genotyping results to staff. 1
• Work with staff to maintain, breed, genotype and phenotype transgenic animal colony; maintain records of animal colony.
• Performs simple surgeries on animals.
• Perform skilled routine surgical procedures in support of on-going animal studies. 2
• Prepares and analyzes animal tissues.
• Maintain animal lines in transgenic facilities.
• Perform a variety of specialized tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning and staining techniques.
• Performs molecular biology techniques.
• Perform immunohistochemistry and assist lab members and check expression of fluorescence protein in vivo 3
• Performs immunohistochemistry on animal tissues.
• Perform light and confocal microscopy.
• Analyzes experimental data.
• Update and maintain laboratory notebooks and databases; collect, analyze and interpret data.
• Collate, edit and archive electronic and paper laboratory files, notebooks and databases.
• Perform computer analysis and use computer software to prepare images
• Selects, devises, plans, and executes the most appropriate experiments for analysis and interpretation of data, for developing strategies, for pursuing significant observances, and for ensuring accuracy of data.
• Work products and documents related to establishing and maintaining records of laboratory supply usage; order, ship and receive lab supplies; document the usage of general laboratory supplies; communicate with vendors and suppliers about orders 4

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

Minimum Education

Bachelor's

Additional Qualifications:

Certifications & Licenses

• Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or other related discipline

Field of Study

• Biology

Software

• MS Outlook

Skills

• Experience in maintaining mouse colonies and behavior training

Benefits

• 100% Medical Dental & Vision Coverage for Employees
• Educational Benefits for Career Growth
• Paid Time Off (Including Holidays)
• Employee Referral Bonus
• Profit Sharing
• 401K Matching
• Flexible Spending Accounts:
  • Healthcare (FSA)
  • Parking Reimbursement Account (PRK)
  • Dependent Care Assistant Program (DCAP)
  • Transportation Reimbursement Account (TRN)

The diversity of Axles employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment based on age, race, gender, religion, national origin, disability, marital status, covered veteran status, sexual orientation, status with respect to public assistance, and other characteristics protected under state, federal, or local law and to deter those who aid, abet, or induce discrimination or coerce others to discriminate.

Accessibility: If you need an accommodation as part of the employment process please contact: careers@axleinfo.com

Disclaimer: The above description is meant to illustrate the general nature of work and level of effort being performed by individuals assigned to this position or job description. This is not restricted as a complete list of all skills, responsibilities, duties, and/or assignments required. Individuals may be required to perform duties outside of their position, job description or responsibilities as needed.