University Overview

The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn’s distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning.

Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.

The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.

Posted Job Title

Tech Vet Senior

Job Profile Title

Technician, Veterinary Senior

Job Description Summary

This job entails a variety of support activities to monitor the health of rodents in the University of Pennsylvania colonies. The incumbent will help with the pre-scheduled testing of sentinel rodents as well as investigations of outbreaks of infectious diseases; this will involve both hands-on specimen (blood, fur, cecal & colon contents) collection and laboratory testing of serum samples for viral antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Prior experience handling, fur plucking, bleeding and necropsying rodents is required and past “wet” laboratory experience is highly desirable. The incumbent will also provide service in the rodent quarantine facility when the workload is such that more than one person is required or when the Rodent Quarantine Coordinator is not on campus. The job also requires computer skills: e-mail communications, moderate expertise in Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience with Microsoft PowerPoint is not essential but is preferred. Work sites are located at substantial distances from each other (approx. 1 sq. mi.), so ability to walk long distances is essential.

Job Description

This position requires handling of live rodents (after IACUC-required training) and collection of fur, blood or tissue samples for analysis at the University of Pennsylvania or at an outside laboratory. This is essential to support animal-based research as the use of infected animals can compromise research results. Most infectious agents do not cause clinical disease in rodents so physical exams are not good indicators of disease. Penn investigators request shipment to and receipt of rodents from both domestic and international collaborators and we have to know the health status of all rodents shipped from and received by the University. Thus, the health monitoring program must provide accurate results. The incumbent will also assist in the processing of samples collected from rodents and in the performance of laboratory diagnostic testing (ELISA and immunofluorescence) of sentinel rodents. Assistance in the Rodent Quarantine facility will be required, and detailed hands-on training will be provided. This is a very detail-oriented position.

DUTIES:

• Collect blood, fur and tissue samples from sentinel rodents on the Penn campus
• Process blood and/or tissues for testing either in-house or at a contract diagnostic laboratory
• Perform serologic (ELISA, IFA) testing on serum samples to detect prior exposure to high-risk viruses
• Ship serum/tissue samples or live animals to contract diagnostic laboratory
• Provide support in the Rodent Quarantine Facility

QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA/BS required or 1-2 years of experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 - year experience in a lab animal facility (animal care experience); or (2) AALAS certification at the ALAT level
• Knowledge of proper handling and restraint techniques of laboratory animals.
• Legible handwriting required
• Good organizational skills
• Effective oral and written communication with peers and supervisor
• Computer skills (Word & Excel required, PowerPoint desirable)

This job requires a great deal of walking, sometimes in inclement weather. There is a great deal of repetitive physical activity associated with this job. There is a great deal of bending and a moderate amount of lifting associated with this job. This job requires attention to small details.

Job Location - City, State

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Department / School

Provost's Center

Pay Range

$16.23 - $29.21

Affirmative Action Statement 

Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.

Special Requirements 

Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.