Shared Laboratory Resource Specialist I-Gnotobiotics

Join the Cleveland Clinic team, where you will work alongside passionate caregivers and provide patient-first healthcare. At Cleveland Clinic, you will work alongside passionate and dedicated caregivers, receive endless support and appreciation, and build a rewarding career with one of the most respected healthcare organizations in the world.  
 
Join our team as a Shared Laboratory Resource Specialist I. In this role you will perform a variety of laboratory activities independently with minimal supervision at a moderate scientific complexity level and functions as a key support to the operations and research customers. The Specialist independently performs proper procedures or SOPs, maintenance of equipment or other duties and completes special projects as appropriate within area and as assigned.

The Gnotobiotics Facility of the BRU has an opening for a full time Research Technician to participate in studies focusing on the role of the vast diversity of commensal microbes that live in and on us. The core maintains and breeds germ-free (i.e. sterile) animals that are then colonized with defined microbes. The employee occupying this position will provide basic research support under the general guidance of the manager and PI for projects utilizing germfree and gnotobiotic (colonized with defined microbiota, including BSL2 agents) mice.

Under the supervision and guidance of the Research Staff Investigator or Technologist, performs the following functions: Performs a variety of laboratory activities independently with minimal supervision at a moderate scientific complexity level and functions as a key support to the operations and research customers. Independently performs proper procedures or SOPs, maintenance of equipment or other duties and completes special projects as appropriate within area and as assigned.

The future caregiver is someone who: 
• Has a strong interest in research with a desire to do lab bench work with exquisite attention to detail.  
• Has the ability to work independently and closely with teammates. 
• Has customer service skills.  
• Has effective communication skills and self-initiative skills for success.  

At Cleveland Clinic, we know what matters most. That's why we treat our caregivers as if they are our own family, and we are always creating ways to be there for you. Here, you'll find that we offer: resources to learn and grow, a fulfilling career for everyone, and comprehensive benefits that invest in your health, your physical and mental well-being and your future. When you join Cleveland Clinic, you'll be part of a supportive caregiver family that will be united in shared values and purpose to fulfill our promise of being the best place to receive care and the best place to work in healthcare. 

Responsibilities:

• Reads and follows experimental protocols. As appropriate within assigned working area, works with more senior mentor with any questions, training, or other learning requirements to successfully complete assigned work.
• Able to work independently or with a more senior mentor, conducts, and evaluates experiments, assays, or other laboratory activities of low to moderate complexities.
• Calculates, compiles, and communicates data to the Core leadership or internal customer.
• Performs quality assurance on all assigned activities per procedures or SOPs.
• Performs intake functions for the laboratory such as logging of samples and service requests, and the dissemination of basic information to users (i.e., minimum requirements for services, costs, etc.).
• Records work accurately and completely.
• Maintains established laboratory inventories, ordering materials as necessary
• Prepares and operates equipment for experiments, assays, measurements, etc. 
• Assists in performing minor equipment repairs, according to manufacturer and Core guidelines. Cleans and performs general maintenance on equipment, according to established protocols.
• Supports the execution and facilitation of specialized services.
• Abides by all Institute, sponsor and federal rules and regulations.
• Other duties as assigned.

Specific duties in the Gnotobiotics Facility / Hajjar Lab will include:

• Provides custodial care, fresh feed, and fresh water to gnotobiotic mice according to standard operating procedures, including preparation and autoclaving of supplies
• Maintains animal colonies, including animal procurement, colony/line maintenance, and cage inventory
• Performs established mouse microbial transplantation assays and tissue harvests
• Performs quality control procedures to monitor sterility
• Organizes and maintains detailed notes on all procedures and autoclave readouts

Education:

• Associate degree in a relevant scientific field required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related field of study strongly preferred
• Two years' of relevant experience may substitute for Associate
  degree requirement.
   

Languages:

• N/A

Certifications:

• None required.

Complexity of Work:

• Requires critical thinking skills, decisive judgment and the ability to work with minimal supervision.
• Must be able to work in a stressful environment and take appropriate action.

Work Experience:

• Entry Level – Two years of relevant experience may substitute for associate degree.
• After selection and placement into this position, up to six months of on-the-job training required to become familiar with laboratory techniques, procedures and research protocols.
• Candidates with at least one year experience in a research or related laboratory environment preferred.
• Strong preference for candidates with at least one year of experience handling mice in the research environment.

Physical Requirements:

• May be exposed to hazardous biological, vaporous and odorous materials.
• Manual and visual dexterity required.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions.
• Continuous lifting, standing and walking.

Personal Protective Equipment:

• Follows standard precautions using personal protective equipment as required.
• Personal protective equipment in the Gnotobiotics facility requires employees to wear a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR) which requires medical clearance.