Aquaculture Technician

The Organization

As an independent research organization, the Morgridge Institute for Research explores uncharted scientific territory to discover tomorrow’s cures. In affiliation with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we support researchers who take a fearless approach to advancing human health in emerging fields such as virology, advanced multi-scale fluorescence and electron microscopy, metabolism and regenerative biology. Through public programming, we work to inspire scientific curiosity in everyday life.

The Opportunity:

The Morgridge Institute for Research maintains an Aquatics Research Center utilized by multiple labs to study fish for the advancement of human health. This facility uses specialized recirculating aquaculture systems to house and care for different fish species. This position will work to provide husbandry care and facility maintenance to support fish health and research. This is a full-time position that requires working in-person at multiple sites. The primary location for the position is the Morgridge Institute.

Duties include:

• Provide daily husbandry needs for fish colony. Tasks will include feeding fish, performing water quality tests, and conducting fish health checks.
• Support facility operations by washing fish tanks and components, cleaning and organizing facility and equipment, organizing, and washing glassware.
• Perform technical services including, but not limited to, invitro fertilizations, microinjections, and sperm cryopreservation.
• Ensure facility equipment is maintained, calibrated, and operating correctly. Assist with troubleshooting and triaging equipment problems when discovered.
• Foster a collaborative and educational environment for interns, students, and researchers.
• Some weekend and Holiday work is required.
• Miscellaneous jobs, as needed.

Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each primary duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations will be considered and may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary responsibilities.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, aquatic sciences, or closely related field.
• Previous experience working with and caring for animals.
• Prior experience with aquaculture is preferred but not required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Proven capability to multitask and a desire to learn more about the scientific community.
• Excellent troubleshooting and organizational abilities.
• Excellent time-management skills and ability to work independently.
• Detail orientation.
•  Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative spirit and a willingness to dive in where help is needed within the lab.

Working Conditions and Physical Effort:

• Work is normally performed in an animal vivarium and/or laboratory setting.
•  Responsibilities require staff to be on their feet the majority of the time and will periodically need to lift items up to 50 lbs. Work will be performed in and around wet conditions that require extra attention to surroundings.
• Duties may require working with or around malodorous smells, hazardous chemicals, and/or aquatic animal waste.