Animal Technician

The Australian BioResources (ABR) facility in Moss Vale, NSW is a state-of-the-art centralised facility specialising in the breeding of congenic, mutant and genetically modified mouse lines for Garvan and partner institutes. In addition to breeding and husbandry, the ABR facility offers specialised services including domestic and international import/export, rederivation, cryopreservation, and microinjection using the latest targeting technologies. The facility is supported by a world-class animal management system known as “Stuart”.

THE OPPORTUNITY
The Animal Technician is a support role, and the primary function is to provide for the care and maintenance of animals used in medical research and to indirectly support research staff involved in animal research.

This position adds value to the Garvan Institute by providing animal care services, thereby freeing research staff to focus on scientific research outcomes. Supporting the research staff leads to effective and breakthrough scientific outcomes, in turn leading to further funding success, helping towards Garvan's goal of prevention, treatment or cure of the major diseases previously mentioned.

We have fixed term and casual positions available all based in Moss Vale.

1-year fixed term contract positions: available with an annual salary starting at $54,000 + 10.5% super + salary packaging.

Casual positions: Hourly rate + loading = $34.16 per hour + 10.5% superannuation.

The fixed term contract role has a high possibility of renewal, and the casual positions have a high possibility of converting to a permanent position. Full or part-time hours can be accommodated. The successful applicants must be available to participate in weekend work and public holiday rosters.

SNAPSHOT OF BENEFITS
- Generous salary packaging for our permanent staff ($15,900 for general household expenses and $2,650 for meal/entertainment allowance on top of base salary)
- Ongoing training and development
- Flexible work arrangements
- 18 weeks paid parental leave
- Additional day’s leave as Garvan Day
- Employee Assistance Program
- Discounted Health Insurance

WHAT YOU WILL DO
Working within a delegated area, duties will be performed as per instructions and protocol requirements. These duties will include, but are not limited to:

- Adherence to Garvan’s Animal Ethics monitoring standards: following strict monitoring, welfare, and husbandry procedures for breeding colonies and adhering to ethical standards for the care of animals.
- Animal husbandry, changing of animal cages and routine cleaning to ensure required hygiene of animal rooms
- Monitoring and replacing water and feed
- Monitoring animals and diligently reporting health or behavioural abnormalities to more senior animal care staff
- Carrying out basic manipulation techniques under supervision of senior trained staff, such as, injections, bleeding techniques, euthanasia, post mortems, administration of anaesthesia.
- Routine use and maintenance of equipment such as anaesthetic machines, tail tattooing machines, animal change stations, balances, computers, and associated IT equipment
- Accurate record keeping and administrative responsibilities such, as data entry regarding breeding and welfare
- Actively communicate with and support ABR team members in a positive and helpful manner to maintain the welfare and ethical monitoring standards of the animals in your care
- Maintain up to date skills and knowledge of Ethics Protocols, Standard Operating Procedures, and policies, and participate in ongoing professional development and training
- Attend and proactively participate in team meetings
- Be available to participate in shifts and work rosters covering weekends and public holidays.
- Strictly maintain confidentially and protection of Garvan’s research and operational procedures
- Able to work for up to 38 hours per week in a physically demanding role where lifting of up to 10kgs will be required

ABOUT YOU
- Desired relevant experience would include: _
- General experience in handling rodents
- Basic knowledge of the husbandry, housing, and breeding requirements of laboratory animals
- Basic manipulation skills (i.e. injection technique, euthanasia) are desirable.
- Relevant TAFE qualifications preferred. No formal qualifications are required although a willingness to undertake relevant technical qualification is desirable.
- The key attributes and skills include: _
- A strong commitment to animal welfare and care
- A professional and caring approach
- Reliability, patience and must be trustworthy
- Ability and motivation to develop new skills and learn new procedures
- Strong customer focus and commitment to quality
- Excellent attention to detail and observational skills
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work individually or as a member of a team
- Ability to organise own time and prioritise assigned daily / weekly tasks.

ABOUT GARVAN
The Garvan Institute of Medical Research is