• One of Australia’s leading research & teaching universities
• Vibrant campus life with a strong sense of community & inclusion
• Enjoy a career that makes a difference by collaborating & learning from the best
At UNSW, we pride ourselves on being a workplace where the best people come to do their best work.
The School of Psychology at UNSW is the leading Psychology school in Australia. It is located in the Faculty of Science and is recognised nationally and internationally for its excellence in research and teaching. It offers world class undergraduate psychology degrees, as well as postgraduate professional Masters training in Clinical and Forensic Psychology, an online Graduate Diploma program, and a PhD research program with over 120 students. 40 academic staff conduct experimental research in many areas of Psychology, including behavioural and cognitive neuroscience, perception, learning, memory and cognition, as well as health, social, developmental, clinical and forensic psychology. UNSW Psychology is the only School in the southern hemisphere ranked in the top 30 by discipline in the THES, QS and ARWU rankings. The School has well equipped research and teaching facilities and attracts outstanding staff and students from Australia and overseas. UNSW is located 5 km from the centre of Sydney and is close to other research centres, teaching hospitals, transport, shopping, and beaches.
The Animal Technician provides daily animal care and husbandry including maintenance, care and cleaning. This position provides support and technical assistance to researchers and students in the animal facilities in the School of Psychology, Faculty of Science. The Animal Technician is required to undertake duties safely, ethically and in accordance with current legislation including the Australian Code of Practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
About the role
• $68k - $82k plus 17% Superannuation and annual leave loading
• Continuing
• Full time (35 hours)
The Animal Technician reports to the School Manager and has no direct reports.
Specific responsibilities for this role include:
LEVEL 3:
- Provide daily animal care, including appropriate nutrition, health care, hygiene control, housing and environmental enrichment in accordance with standard operating procedures and ethical standards/legislation.
- Correctly identify animals as per legislative requirements and maintain accurate computerised and manual records of animal movements, ethics approval numbers, housing density, sex, culling and/or other information as required.
- Monitor animal wellbeing, maintain accurate and precise individual animal and research records and report any adverse findings to the School of Psychology’s animal facilities co-ordinator or the University veterinarian.
- Provide care and therapies to pre- and post-operative animals and assist in the administration of medicine to animals as required or as directed.
- Support the monitoring of research animals in accordance with the requirements of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes and the Animal Research Act.
- Coordinate animal care duties to ensure daily objectives are achieved, including participation in a weekend and public holiday roster.
- Assist other team members and research staff as required, undertaking any other duties as directed by the Animal Facilities Co-Ordinator.
- Liaise with animal suppliers when necessary.
- Align with and actively demonstrate the UNSW Values in Action: Our Behaviours and the UNSW Code of Conduct.
- Cooperate with all health and safety policies and procedures of the university and take all reasonable care to ensure that your actions or omissions do not impact on the health and safety of yourself or others.
LEVEL 4:
(in addition to the above)
- Coordinate the breeding of several lines of transgenic rats by setting up breeding pairs, weaning progeny and adjusting breeding capacity according to the needs of the School’s researchers.
- Collect and send progeny tissue samples for genotyping and record genotyping in dedicated colony management software.
- Arrange transfer of animals to researchers in the School of Psychology.
- Maintain accurate record keeping in dedicated colony management software.
About the successful applicant
(Selection Criteria)
LEVEL 3:
To be successful in this role you will have:
- Completion (or progress towards completion) of a TAFE Certificate, Associate Diploma or equivalent in Animal Studies or Animal Technology.
- Proficient animal handling and animal therapy skills, including experience in administering basic medical treatment to animals (e.g., injections, oral and topical medications).
- Proven ability to work cooperatively with a diverse group of people by contributing positively to a team environment, as well as the ability to work independently with limited supervision from time to time.
- Familiarity with psychological research and animals (Desirable).
- An understanding of and commitment to UNSW’s aims, objectives and values in action, together with relevant policies and guidelines.
- Knowledge of health and safety responsibilities and commitment to attending relevant health and safety training
LEVEL 4:
(in addition to the above)
- Demonstrated experience in animal husbandry of a wide range of species, particularly rodents.
- Demonstrated experience with maintaining rodent breeding colonies (rat and mouse).
- Familiarity with the genotyping of rodents.
- Understanding of Mendelian genetics.
You should systematically address the selection criteria listed within the position description in your application.
Please apply online - applications will not be accepted if sent to the contact listed.
Contact:
Rick Richardson
E: r.richardson@unsw.edu.au
Applications close: December 16th, 2024
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UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.
