Department: WCAS Neurobiology
Salary/Grade: NEX/11

Job Summary:

Specializes in the care of laboratory zebrafish. Performs daily zebrafish husbandry activities including water quality assessment, recirculating system maintenance, and tank washing. Supervises a team of undergraduates for weekend and holiday care.

Please note: Must be able to negotiate up to a 65 lb force (push/pull) on an occasional basis. Lifting is limited to 50 lbs occasionally and 25 lbs frequently. Must be able to occasionally work both Saturdays and Sundays, overtime and holidays as required.  Must successfully maintain physical condition that will assure efficient performance of tasks, including successful completion of physical examination.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Cleans & sterilizes tanks, equipment, supplies, rooms (primary and secondary enclosures), etc.
• Prepares refuse for disposal.
• Observes tanks daily for cleanliness, appropriate water supply, stocking density, and tank assembly.
• Observes recirculating systems daily for appropriate function.
• Changes tanks, lids, and water supply hoses.
• Feeds zebrafish according to their prescribed diets. 
• Observes zebrafish regularly during the day, noting, reporting, and removing any dead fish or fish with variances in or deviation from normal health or behavior, including obvious deviations in swimming behavior, skin conditions, enlarged abdomens etc.
• Notifies veterinary staff and researchers of fish with health issues.
• Observes, documents, & reports changes in environmental parameters (i.e., water & room temperature, room humidity & lighting, water conductivity, water pH etc.). 
• Conducts census counts. 
• Euthanizes fish according to CCM policy.
• Complies with aquatics facility entry order, PPE requirements, and other biosecurity policy as directed.
• Assists in organizing feed and supplies.
• Completes facility caretaking check-lists, logs & documentation accurately & within appropriate time-frames.
• Notifies supervisor and/or management of malfunctioning equipment; may document problem.
• Orders lab supplies.
• Responsible for the training and supervision of undergraduate students for fish care

Miscellaneous

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A high school diploma or its equivalent is required along with a minimum of 2 years of experience as an animal care or research technician working with aquatic species.

Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)

• Aquatic animal care
• Organization and multitasking
• Efficiency/dependability
• Must be able to type and have working knowledge of spreadsheet, word processing, database and e-mail software

Preferred Qualifications:

• BS in aquaculture, fisheries, or related field. 
• ALAT certification.
• Prior experience working with zebrafish.
• Basic knowledge of water quality assessment.
• Experience with maintenance of recirculating aquaculture systems.
• Experience in a supervisorial role

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)

• Attention to detail
• Responsible
• Problem solving skills

Benefits:
At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html to learn more.

Work-Life and Wellness:
Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to help you and your family navigate life’s challenges and opportunities, and adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles.
We support flexible work arrangements where possible and programs to help you locate and pay for quality, affordable childcare and senior/adult care. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/work-life/index.html to learn more.

Professional Growth & Development:
Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.

Northwestern requires all staff and faculty to be vaccinated against COVID-19, subject to limited exceptions. For more information, please visit our COVID-19 and Campus Updates website.

The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Click for information on EEO is the Law.