Rodent Research Technician - Level 2

Transpharmation is a dynamic preclinical contract research organization that specializes in high-quality, translational drug discovery services. The company provides a friendly and team-oriented work atmosphere as well as competitive wages and benefits.

The Research Technician II (“RT II”) will have a solid understanding of each individual’s roles and responsibilities within the company and within research studies. The RT II will have a clear understanding of and be able to perform a majority of the procedures at Transpharmation Canada within the Rodent Department. The RT II will demonstrate a clear understanding of the complexities of a research trial and be able to efficiently follow study protocols, with continued guidance from the Study Coordinator/Study Director/Scientific Director.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Key Activities

• Assist and perform assigned in vivo study procedures in the Rodent Department.
• Act as study personnel in OECD GLP studies.
• Record and document experimental details with a high level of integrity, ethics and accuracy in adherence with Good Documentation Practice.
• Assist in the preparation of data summary reports, study related data entry, Quality Control.
• Perform study-related husbandry duties to ensure proper animal care practices are adhered to and are according to CCAC guidelines and facility SOPs.
• Work within a team to ensure that projects are successfully conducted and completed to a high level of quality and scientific competence.
• Participate in the maintenance of an adequate inventory of supplies.
• Assist the Rodent Department Manager in the maintenance and operation of animal facility and husbandry in accordance with CCAC guidelines, Animals for Research Act and facility SOPs
• Participate in internal working groups (eg. animal care committee, health and safety, etc).
• Demonstrate and/or train processes and techniques to new employees and visitors.
• Other duties as assigned

Duties associated with the Rodent Wing

General techniques:

• Operate centrifuges and perform advanced blood separation
• Proficient handling and restraint of rodents
• Health Observations (daily observations, endpoint monitoring)
• Drug administrations (SC, IM, IP, IV, PO, IN, intradermal, etc.)
• Survival blood collection (saphenous, tail snip, submandibular, catheter, etc.)
• Terminal blood collection, tissue/organ extraction and weighing
• Anaesthesia/Analgesia in support of surgery and animal welfare
• Euthanasia

Seizure Testing:

Perform and/or support seizure testing, including but not limited to:

• MES
• 6Hz
• Corneal Kindling
• Amygdala Kindling

Pain Testing:

Perform and/or support pain testing from start to end independently, including but not limited to:

• Von Frey
• Acetone drop
• Tail flick
• Formalin

Behavioral testing:

• Prepare rooms and supplies for testing
• Possess ability to operate test apparatus for behavioral and cognitive testing (LMA, rotarod, grip strength, core body temperature, watermaze, running wheel, PPI, Moseq, as well as software application as it relates to the test,etc.)
• Various behavioural assessments and scoring
• EEG systems: DSI and TaiNi
• Operant testing (as applicable):
• Possess ability to independently run operant training and testing, as assigned and scheduled by Study Coordinator

Rodent Abuse Liability (as applicable):

• General Behavioural Assessments
• Place Conditioning
• IV and Oral Self-administration
• Dependence and withdrawal assessment
• Basic formulation skills
• Surgery support, recovery, and endpoint monitoring
• Basic surgery skills
• IV catheter and osmotic pump implant care and maintenance
• Working with controlled substances

Data Management:

• Ability to create basic graphs from experimental results

Understand basic data analysis (means, standard error, median, interquartile)

• Any other duties as deemed necessary

INTERACTION

This position requires coordination of resources (i.e. equipment, supplies) with other Research Technicians, Animal Care Technicians and Study Coordinators. It also requires the ability to learn new skills and procedures as well as teach skills efficiently and to a high level of integrity.

COMMUNICATION

Communications are with the Rodent Department Manager and/or Supervisor and other facility staff and employees within the organization. Collaboration, execution, and

reporting of the quality assurance program. Verbal communication is required to request and receive instructions for work, to report on activities, results, challenges, and to participate in planning and scheduling of work and equipment use. Written communication is required for accurate and detailed recording of procedures, for reporting results and for completing documentation. Reading and comprehension of written protocols and manuals is essential.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• ENVIRONMENT

There will be occasional periods of several hours per day exposed to noxious odours from diagnostic materials and/or samples. There will also be the occasional need to work with chemicals in a controlled environment.

• RISK TO HEALTH

There will be the occasional exposure to small quantities of toxic irritant or corrosive chemicals as well as exposure to freezers (-80C) while storing and retrieving materials.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The demands of this position include: standing, bending, twisting, lifting, carrying liquid containers, carrying boxes weighing up to 20 kg and daily periods of keyboarding.

• PHYSICAL DEXTERITY

Agility, accuracy and consistency will be required while handling precision instruments such as, pipettes, balances, pH meters, surgical instruments. Strong fine motor skills in fingers, hands, and arms.

Qualifications

         EDUCATION

• Veterinary diploma or B.Sc. degree in a relevant field (e.g. Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry) and/or relevant equivalent with at least 2 years of direct experience.
• CALAS RLAT certification encouraged.
• Experience
• Experience as a Research Technician I for at least 1 year or relevant experience
• Experience within a laboratory environment
• Experience handling confidential laboratory and scientific data
• Experience executing administrative strategies

• Knowledge

• Knowledge of the basic principles of biology, immunology and chemistry
• Knowledge of the principles of safe handling of potentially pathogenic substances and contaminated materials
• Familiar with the following acts and regulations: ISO 17025 (2017), OECD Principles on GLP, CCAC guidelines and policies and the Animals for Research Act

Disclaimer

As part of our recruitment process, we may use digital or artificial intelligence–enabled tools to assist with tasks such as résumé screening, skills matching, or scheduling. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All employment decisions are made by people.

We are committed to fair, inclusive, and bias‑aware hiring practices and comply with Ontario legislation. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.