Astellas Institute for Regenerative Medicine (AIRM) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc and focused on the development and commercialization of stem cell and regenerative medicine therapies. Astellas is an R&D-driven global pharmaceutical company whose philosophy is to contribute to the improvement of people's heath around the world through the provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceutical products.
AIRM has a world-class R&D team, and is pursuing a diverse range of disease indications, ranging from macular degeneration (currently in clinical trials) and other ocular indications to vascular and autoimmune disease. AIRM's intellectual property portfolio includes pluripotent stem cell platforms -- both embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells as well as other cell-based therapy research programs. AIRM is headquartered in Massachusetts.
About Astellas
Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+® healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into value for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.
Our Values:
Be BOLD (Find a Way)
Care Deeply – for our patients, each other and our work
#GSD (Get Stuff Done)
What is the catalyst for you in your professional career? Are you ready to be a part of a bold, innovative company, to make a change and to make a difference? Listed below is a current opening for a smart, driven, experienced, and just plain nice individual who wants to join us and be a part of our journey.
The Role
The Animal Care Technician will be responsible for performing operational, administrative and technical tasks to provide comprehensive care of Rodent species, including daily health observations, cage change, animal health care, study support, breeding colony support, cage wash, supplies procurement and receipt, and vivarium sanitization as well. Must be able to lift 50 lbs. and move heavy objects and be able to work from a standing position for prolonged time periods and perform repetitive motion tasks. Must be available to support weekend, work on a split shift (Tuesday- Saturday or Sunday- Thursday), holiday, emergency, and after-hour operational responsibilities. Other duties as assigned and required.
Responsibilities
Perform Rodent husbandry duties such as daily animal health check, cage change, room parameters (temperature, humidity, etc.) check and waste disposal.
Apply basic veterinary care and treatment of rodents as needed and per the instructions of the attending veterinarian and/or the vivarium manager
Perform routine maintenance and sanitization of rooms and associated equipment within the vivarium.
Keep work areas stocked with supplies as needed for operation and study work.
Maintain housing, procedure and washroom records: e.g., room logs, sanitization records, census and inventory records, etc.
Receive and house rodent orders.
Conduct weekly census of cages and supplies inventory
Conduct washroom tasks e.g. washing and sanitization of cages, enrichment, storage containers.
Assist with administrative tasks e.g. printing out cage cards, logs, census sheet, signs, forms, etc.
Assist with animal and supplies procurement.
Provide support to rodent breeding colonies e.g. breeding cages setup, litters weaning, animal Identification and sample collection for genotyping.
Assist with training of the research staff on basic animal handling procedures, Microisolator procedures, rodent injections (IV/IP/SQ, etc.) and sample collections (blood samples and tissue collection) as well.
Participate in the draft and review of operational SOPs.
Perform other duties as may be required.
Reports to the Vivarium Manager at AIRM
Partners with research groups to provide an optimum care of the research animals and quality support of the in-vivo research projects
Required Qualifications
High School Diploma or equivalent
2-3 years of hands-on experience in research rodent husbandry, breeding and technical support
Strong Microsoft office skills (word, excel, power point)
strong interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal)
strong commitment to providing quality work, and dedicated to high standards of animal care and welfare, in accordance with all guidelines and regulations pertaining to Laboratory Animal Care
Reliable, able to work equally well, whether independently or as part of a team.
Demonstrate a high level of attention to detail in delivering quality and consistent results in the conduct of all daily operational and technical duties.
Preferred Qualifications
Associate degree or BS degree is highly preferred
AALAS-ALAT certification is highly desirable
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or on the basis of disability.
Benefits:
Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
Generous Paid Time Off options, including Vacation, Sick time, plus national holidays including Heritage Days, and Summer and Winter Breaks
401(k) match and annual company contribution
Company paid life insurance
Annual Corporate Bonus and Quarterly Sales Incentive for eligible positions
Long Term Incentive Plan for eligible positions
Referral bonus program
#LI-LK
Category IRM-Operations & Transformation
Astellas is committed to equality of opportunity in all aspects of employment.
EOE including Disability/Protected Veterans