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Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires that students, faculty, and staff on the UMD campus be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

The Neural Systems Laboratory (http://nsl.isr.umd.edu/), located at the University of Maryland at College Park, is seeking a highly capable and responsible animal care specialist to oversee animal research projects and some laboratory management duties. This full time position will
provide an opportunity to work closely with talented predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers investigating how the brain processes and perceives sound.

Essential Duties

The animal care specialist will support research staff and be responsible for various animal
care taking responsibilities, including:

- Provide animal care including handling and husbandry for research animals, especially ferrets.

- Overseeing animal care protocol maintenance and compliance.

- Facilitating training of new researchers on animal care and handling.

- Preparation and assistance with anesthesia and surgical procedures.

- Maintaining supply inventory and requesting supplies through the UMD purchasing system.

- Maintaining animal care logs.

- Other duties associated with animal care and normal laboratory function.

Due to the nature of the work within a research laboratory, this position may require attendance on some weekends, holidays or during emergency conditions, such as inclement weather. Additional weekday overtime may be occasionally required.

Minimum of Bachelor of Science

- Experience in animal research setting.

- Understanding of animal welfare and testing regulations and standards (e.g., AAALAC).

- Excellent communication abilities and interpersonal skills.

- The ability to work independently, as well as with the research team.

- Creative problem-solving skills and the ability to exercise sound and accurate judgment

in making timely decisions.

- Good time management and organizational skills.

Experience working with academic research laboratories. American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Certification at the Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) level.

This position is contractual and renewable yearly based on availability of funding and satisfactory performance evaluation. University benefits offered including health insurance, annual leave, sick leave, personal leave and holiday pay.

Physical demands and work environment

- Must be able to confidently handle laboratory animals.

- Mandatory wear and work in personal protective clothing and equipment as needed.

- The ability to work safely with chemical disinfectants.

- The ability to perform physical activity (such as standing, bending, walking or stooping) for reasonable periods daily, and lift/push/pull and maneuver some equipment and cages as needed.

-Be able to tolerate exposure to potential hazards related to animals and the animal care
environment including Allergens, cleaning chemicals, noise, and ergonomic hazards, Zoonotic diseases.