Research Technician, Aquaculture – Newmark/Issigonis Lab

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 regenerative biology, metabolism, virology and biomedical imaging. Through public programming, we work to inspire scientific curiosity in everyday life.

The Opportunity

The Newmark/Issigonis lab at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Morgridge Institute for Research is looking for a collaborative and self-driven Research Technician to handle several recirculation aquaculture systems for maintaining the lab’s planarian colonies.

The Newmark Lab seeks to understand how some animals can regenerate missing tissues. Their work focuses on planarians, a fresh-water flatworm that can regenerate an entire body from tissue fragments – a process which relies on stem cells. The team investigates how stem cells are regulated to produce missing tissues and organs in the context of building a whole organism. More information on the Newmark lab can be found on their website or Twitter: @planapalooza.

Requirements

• Operate and maintain recirculating aquaculture systems.
• Perform and record daily animal health and welfare observations.
• Feed planarian colonies every week.
• Perform and record all water quality testing.
• Perform glassware cleaning.
• Support and maintain stock solutions and aliquoting needs of the lab.
• Monitor supply needs and manage inventory, maintain arriving packages and contents, and order needed items in a timely manner.
• Will manage adherence to institutional biosafety and animal care and use standards and keep compliance records/logs up-to-date.
• Conduct literature reviews to be used in determining most suitable research methods.
• Prepare and present written or oral progress reports concerning studies, including assembly, organization, and interpretation of data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• 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 oriented.
• Excellent oral communication and interpersonal skills.
• Collaborative spirit and a willingness to dive in where help is needed within the lab.
• Prior experience with aquaculture experience a plus, but not required.

Physical Requirements

Remaining in a normal seated or standing position for extended periods of time; reaching and grasping by extending hand(s) or arm(s); dexterity to manipulate objects with fingers, for example using a keyboard; communication skills using the spoken word; ability to see and hear within normal parameters; ability to move about workspace. The position requires mobility, including the ability to move materials weighing up to several pounds (such as a laptop computer or tablet).

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this position with reasonable accommodation. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis.

In order to insure the safety of our workplace, proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required unless an exemption is granted for medical, disability or religious reasons.