Zebrafish Facility Supervisor: Washington University

Description & Details:

The Department of Developmental Biology at Washington University School of Medicine invites applications for a Research Laboratory Supervisor for the Zebrafish Facility.  Washington University in St. Louis is home to one of the largest and most modern zebrafish facilities in the world with robotic feeding and cleaning systems.  This facility allows for large-scale, collaborative projects that would not be possible for individual investigators, helping scientists understand human development and disease, from birth defects and cancer to muscle and nerve disorders.  The facility has almost 7,000 tanks, including a 2,000-tank nursery.  The facility also has the capabilities for obtaining, viewing, and manipulating fish embryos.

We are seeking an outstanding applicant to join at the level of Research Laboratory Supervisor to oversee and manage the operations and the personnel of the Zebrafish Facility. The position is responsible for the smooth operation of the state-of-the art automated aquatic fish feeding system, RO water supply system, fish tank water recirculation and bio-filtration system as well as other laboratory equipment. 

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee and supervise the general daily operations of the Zebrafish Consortium that include but are not limited to the following: ensure superior health and well-being of zebrafish by maintaining optimal and stable water quality throughout all RASs; perform daily health surveillance of individual aquaria; provide proper nutrition from larvae to adult brood stock; provide a clean micro and macro environments within the laboratory spaces; and enforce strict regulations and bio-security of imported lines in and out of Quarantine facility.
• Ensure the proper function of the daily use of equipment, such as: industrialized tank washers, tritone automated feeders, fluorescent and brightfield microscopes, injection rigs, reverse osmosis system, and cryopreservation equipment.
• Maintain live cultures of saltwater rotifers (Brachionus sp.) and Consortium wild type zebrafish stocks.
• Work and communicate with many vendors to order supplies and schedule equipment repairs and maintenance.
• Supervise Consortium staff: create schedules, apply performance reviews, distribute husbandry chores, approve time cards, and oversee the staff complete and uphold protocols and procedures to a high degree.
• Supervise the scientific research community: ensure successful completion of laboratory training modules; provide orientation and training; provide access to laboratory areas through Protective Services; attend monthly community meetings to provide updated protocol revisions, Consortium news, census reports, and breeding success data; back up and maintain the user Stock List database; oversee that community individuals complete and uphold protocols and procedures to a high degree; and ensure proper billing and acquiring of fees in iLab once service requests are completed.
• Establish and update standard operating procedures and other guidelines in written form (as needed) and distribute to entire Consortium Community.
• Serve as liaison and point person for a diverse research community by being available to entire Consortium Community through email and daily discussions; respond in emergency situations and provide working solutions; and attend meetings and group discussions with animal welfare committees, facility services, Director’s Meetings, and future Consortium related projects.
• Research and recommend new methods and procedures to maintain current capabilities, quality, and standards.

Qualifications:

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated working knowledge of standard laboratory policies and equipment maintenance.
• Advanced understanding of recirculating aquaculture systems and zebrafish husbandry.
• Demonstrated leadership and interpersonal skills. 

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree with three or more years of lab experience including supervisory responsibility or an equivalent combination of education and experience equaling seven years.

To Apply:

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