Animal Technician

The Garvan Institute strives to enhance and develop research programs that combine fundamental science with strong clinical interactions. Research at Garvan is focused upon understanding the role of genes and molecular and cellular processes in health and disease as the basis for developing future preventions, treatments and cures.

For over 50 years, significant breakthroughs have been achieved by Garvan scientists in the understanding and treatment of diseases such as: Cancer, Diabetes and Obesity, Neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, hearing loss, mental illnesses and eating disorders, Osteoporosis, Immunological diseases such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Garvan's goal is prevention, treatment or cure of these major diseases.

AUSTRALIAN BIORESOURCES PTY LTD

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 - both positions are based in Moss Vale.

1-year fixed term contract positions are available with an annual salary starting at $54,000 + 10% super + salary packaging ($15,900 for general household expenses and $2,650 for meal/entertainment allowance on top of base salary). Full or part-time hours can be accommodated.

Casual positions have a pay rate of $34.16 per hour + 10% 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. The successful applicants must be available to participate in weekend work and public holiday rosters.

Key Responsibilities

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 skill