Biologist (Animal)

Contemporaries, a government contracting firm, is seeking an Animal Biologist to support a biomedical research laboratory. This position will provide hands-on support for a large mouse colony and assist with animal procedures, molecular biology techniques, tissue processing, phenotyping, laboratory documentation, and research activities.

The ideal candidate will have a background in biology, neuroscience, molecular biology, genetics, or a related scientific discipline and an interest in working extensively with laboratory mice. Candidates with relevant laboratory experience are preferred; however, candidates who have a strong scientific foundation and are willing to learn specialized techniques will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the management and maintenance of a mouse colony of approximately 450 cages, including mouse transfers and colony recordkeeping.
• Handle mice and assist with procedures including ear punch biopsies, tail snips, tattoos, injections, anesthesia, and euthanasia.
• Perform or assist with genomic DNA preparation, genotyping, PCR, restriction enzyme digestion, gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequence analysis.
• Assist with mouse phenotyping and behavioral testing, including auditory and vestibular research procedures.
• Perform or learn micro-dissection of inner ear tissues and laboratory techniques such as in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and RNAscope.
• Assist with tissue fixation, embedding, sectioning, staining, bone decalcification, frozen tissue sectioning, and serial sectioning.
• Maintain detailed laboratory, experimental, and mouse colony records using electronic laboratory notebooks and research databases.
• Collaborate with laboratory staff on animal colony responsibilities, experiments, data collection, and research discussions.
• Assist with laboratory supply organization and purchasing requests.
• Support data analysis, figures, and manuscript preparation using tools such as ImageJ, MATLAB, Metamorph, GraphPad Prism, and Adobe software.
• Follow all laboratory safety, animal welfare, biohazard, and workplace compliance procedures.

Profile:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Zoology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Genetics, or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience managing or working with mouse colonies is preferred; candidates willing to learn mouse colony management and phenotyping techniques may also be considered.
• Experience handling laboratory mice and performing animal.
• Research laboratory experience involving molecular biology techniques such as DNA preparation, PCR, gel electrophoresis, genotyping, or DNA sequence analysis.
• Strong computer and database recordkeeping skills.
• Ability to maintain detailed and accurate laboratory documentation.
• Strong organizational, analytical, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a research laboratory environment and follow established safety and animal research protocols.

Contemporaries is a government contracting firm who has been providing HR and Staff support to both federal and private organizations for over 35 years. Specializing in Administrative and related opportunities, while also working with Scientific, IT, Legal, Research, and related opportunities.