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Research Scientist/Engineer 1

Req #:166722Department:COMPARATIVE MEDICINEJob Location: South Lake Union Posting Date:05/03/2019 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary:Salary is commensurate with education and experience Shift:First Shift Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

Please note that this position has been reposted. If you have already submitted your application, you need not submit it again, as it has already been received. As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. All of which has allowed the UW to be nationally recognized as a “Great College to Work For” for four consecutive years.

The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is one of 12 basic science departments in the University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine (SOM). The mission of the department is to advance knowledge and improve the health and welfare of humans and animals through excellent service support, biomedical research, and teaching. DCM is the central laboratory animal medicine resource at the University of Washington, supporting over 114,000 assignable square feet of animal facilities with an average daily census in excess of 100,000 animals across multiple species (e.g., rodents, rabbits, swine, and zebrafish). The department employs over 175 individuals who provide a comprehensive range of animal husbandry, veterinary, and laboratory services across numerous vivaria. The UW animal care program is accredited by AAALAC International and provides services to over 400 principal investigators. DCM faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and residents conduct basic and clinical research on a wide range of subjects including, but not limited to, comparative aspects of infectious disease, aging, cancer biology and genetics.

The Department of Comparative Medicine currently has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 1 to assist the BSL3/ABSL3 Select Agent Facility Manager. The individual occupying this position will support the provision and oversight of facility operations, regulatory compliance, and the furtherance of research endeavors and animal welfare within the ~10,000 assignable sq ft (~20,000 gross sq ft) UW BSL3/ABSL3 Select Agent Facility.  
 
Job Description:  

Assist the Facility Manager in managing day-to-day facility operations, including:
Performing animal care and facility sanitization and maintenance duties.
Ensuring logs and documentation are completed and maintained as required.
Maintaining regular communications with Facility Users.
In the absence of or at the request of the Facility Manager, serving as the primary liaison with equipment vendors, UW Facilities, and building management personnel for repair, replacement, certification, and validation of facility equipment and applicable building systems (e.g., plumbing, HVAC, structural).
Ordering and receiving equipment and supplies; maintaining appropriate supply inventories.
Maintaining ready availability and safe operation of facility equipment (e.g., personal protective equipment, respiratory protection, laboratory equipment, animal caging) to include completion of required testing and certification.
Tracking supply and service use by Facility Users for billing purposes.
Communicate facility issues and Facility User concerns and requests to the Facility Manager.
Communicate with EH&S personnel, Select Agent Program Responsible Official and Alternate Responsible Officials, research staff, research support staff, and other subject matter experts.
Assist in developing training materials. Assist in training and assessing competencies of current and proposed Facility Users in facility-specific as well as general safety practices and procedures.
Monitor compliance of DCM personnel and Facility Users. Report instances of noncompliance to the Facility Manager or Director.
In collaboration with other Facility Management personnel, respond to facility alarms, emergencies, and known or suspected accidents/incidents, including on evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Provide DCM technical services to support research efforts in laboratory and animal studies, as contracted between Facility Users and DCM.
Understand and follow applicable federal, state, local, and University policies, protocols, and regulations.
Regularly evaluate and, as needed, recommend modifications to current and proposed facility procedures, equipment, and physical areas to optimize personnel safety, animal welfare, facility security, and the conduct of research.
Assist in the writing and revision of facility standard operating procedures, policies, and manuals.
Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in a biological science or related field and at least 2 years of technical laboratory experience.
Previous experience working with animals.
Ability to work collaboratively in a research environment with culturally diverse populations and with individuals of varying educational and professional backgrounds (e.g., Animal Technicians, Veterinarians, Research Technicians, Principal Investigators).
Demonstrated problem solving skills.
Ability to review goals, analyze processes, and develop approaches and systems required to meet objectives.
Ability to work independently with minimal direct supervision; explores new areas and seeks opportunities to apply new knowledge to work.
Demonstrated professionalism, self-motivation, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and foster collegial and cooperative relationships with co-workers and clients.
Strong verbal and written communication skills with robust organizational abilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, and Outlook) and calendaring systems.

Desired:
Experience with BSL3 containment including select agent containment, procedures, and practices.
Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of federal and state biosafety and health and safety regulations including, but not limited to, federal select agent regulations, Bloodborne Pathogens, and requirements related to the use or transfer of biological agents in a research setting.
A working knowledge of animal husbandry standards, regulatory guidelines, requirements, and common standard operating procedures.
Certifications by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (ALAT, LAT, LATG, CMAR, ILAM).
Experience with Microsoft Office 365 and Microsoft SharePoint Online.
Demonstrated leadership and effective delegation skills.
Formal supervisory experience.
General mechanical knowledge.

Conditions of Employment:
Punctuality and regular attendance are critical components of this position.
This is an essential position. The employee is expected to report to work under conditions that other employees are not required to report to work, such as inclement weather and UW suspended operations.
Initial work schedule will be 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; future workweek schedules may change to meet the needs of the department.
Occasional required work outside of regular work hours including, but not limited to, rotating emergency on-call duty.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and carry 30 pounds.
Must be able to pass a Department of Justice security clearance and the Personnel Suitability Assessment to access BSL3/ABSL3 Select Agents.
Obtain initial and annual medical exam and vaccinations. Must be able to maintain medical clearance to enter and work in the ABSL3/BSL3 facility. Able to wear negative and positive respirators, and personal protective equipment.
Employee is personally responsible for following Environmental Health & Safety and security policies/procedures.

Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must apply through the UW Jobs website.
The University of Washington is a leader in environmental stewardship & sustainability, and committed to becoming climate neutral.
The University of Washington is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 / 206-543-6452 (tty) or dso@uw.edu.