Research Associate I – Transgenic Colony Management

The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life and to advance health. Our creative and multi-dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience. We accelerate foundational research, catalyze bold ideas, develop tools and models, and openly share our science to make a broad, transformational impact on the world.

The mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to accelerate the understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease. Using a big science approach, we generate useful public resources, drive technological and analytical advances, and discover fundamental brain properties through integration of experiments, modeling and theory.

We are seeking a Research Associate (RA) to be a member of the Institute’s transgenic colony management (TCM) team. This team manages a large breeding colony comprised of >400 transgenic mouse lines to meet the research and data production goals of the Institute. The Research Associate I is responsible for executing a variety of laboratory tasks and/or experiments in a high-throughput mouse breeding colony and animal care environment (vivarium), following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions (WI). Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for forecasting breeding colony needs, recognizing process deviations, participating in quality control (QC) and troubleshooting efforts, and operation of laboratory instrumentation.

At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.

We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.

We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.

Essential Functions

• Perform daily colony management and maintenance tasks including tail biopsy collection and paw tattooing of mice, weaning of new litters, etc.
• Maintain health and behavior performance records, including genotyping data
• Perform colony management duties including planning and execution of sophisticated breeding strategies
• Attend internal scientific project team meetings and interact with scientists, principal investigators, and the veterinarian to meet all transgenic colony needs
• Perform phenotyping of new transgenic mouse lines
• Compose and adhere to work instructions, SOPs, and training documents
• Follow good laboratory practices, and regulatory requirements in accordance with the “NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals”
• Perform non-SOP procedures under limited supervision and/or guidance
• Maintain accurate laboratory documentation and reporting using established methods
• Work with Supervisor to appropriately manage and prioritize tasks and time, including daily and weekly scheduling
• Train new or existing TCM staff, commensurate with experience

*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related discipline
• Basic knowledge of mouse genetics and anatomy
• Basic level ability with MS Office, MS Access and ability to learn other custom software systems (LabTracks, LIMS)

Preferred Education and Experience

• 0-2 years of related work experience
• >1 year direct experience with animal handling in a mouse breeding colony setting
• Experience working in a research environment
• Knowledge of molecular biology (e.g. PCR, genotyping, mouse transgenesis) preferred
• Experience administering compounds to mice (i.v., i.p., s.c., p.o., i.m.)
• Ability to work independently and within a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment
• Positive attitude, self-starter, demonstrated attention to detail, and ability to trouble-shoot
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Lab Tracks strongly preferred

Work Environment

• Laboratory environment - possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances
• Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
• This position will require wearing personnel protective equipment (PPE)

Animal Care Services

• Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
• Perform health assessments of mice

Physical Demands

• Occasional lifting - up to 30 pounds
• Standing for extended periods of time
• Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office equipment, repetitive motion with lab equipment and instruments
• Stooping, bending, crouching
• Reaching, or climbing ladders

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• This is an essential job and expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
• Occasional holiday hours required
• This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required.

Annualized Salary Range

• $53,450- $65,450*

* Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.

Benefits

• Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.

It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.