GRAF Research Specialist

Company: University of Chicago
Location: Chicago
Posted on: April 3, 2026

Job Description:

Department BSD ARC - GRAF About the Department The mission of the Animal Resources Center (ARC) is to assist investigators in performing their animal research while ensuring appropriate and humane care of all laboratory animals. The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at The University of Chicago is responsible for the use and care of all research animals on campus. The ARC manages 6 facilities and a business office. Its sections are as follows: husbandry, maintenance, operations, veterinary care, finance and administration. The unit merged with the Office of Shared Research Facilities managing all of the BSD cores on campus. Job Summary Principal contribution is providing colony breeding/production and technical support for research projects occurring in the Gnotobiotics Facility (GRAF). Under indirect supervision, performs moderately complex laboratory and/or research-related duties and tasks. Collects, maintains and analyzes data. Helps monitor compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulatory policies, procedures, directives and mandates. May orient or coordinate the work of research support staff and students. Responsibilities include maintaining mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, setting up and performing experiments, interacting with graduate students, post-docs, fellows and other Principal Investigator (PI) laboratory staff. May provide PI training. Responsibilities Maintain breeding and experimental mouse colonies within flexible film isolators, (includes tag, tail, wean and colony status records). Prepare materials for experimental procedures with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals. Perform experimental interventions with germ free and ex-germ free 'associated' animals and assist Principal Investigator group to perform experiments within the facility. Perform weekly fecal specimen culture set-ups and monitoring. Perform health checks and health observations. Assist with training PI group and other research personnel working in the GRAF. Assist with advanced procedures which may include anesthesia and surgery. Assist with facility maintenance, isolator tasks, and facility operations (equipment and supply preparation) and administrative support to the Technical Director of the GRAF. Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results. Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously. Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures. Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory. Performs other related work as needed. Minimum Qualifications Education: Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field. Work Experience: Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through Certifications: Preferred Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in a scientific field OR in a field relevant to the research being conducted. Experience: Two years of experience in a scientific animal research setting OR experience in a Gnotobiotics facility. Previous work experience in an academic environment and biomedical research. Prior experience working with mouse colony management. Licenses and Certifications: AALAS certification or eligibility for certification at LAT level or higher. Preferred Competencies Computer knowledge and skills. Excellent written, verbal and organizational skills. Ability to demonstrate excellent interpersonal/communication skills. Knowledge of regulatory compliance. Willingness to work successfully as a member of a team, ability to communicate effectively with faculty, graduate students and various administrative offices at all levels of the University, ability to prioritize. Ability to work weekends and holidays on a rotational basis. Decision making skills and ability to work under pressure of frequent deadlines. Capacity to handle multiple tasks in a short amount of time. Must be detailed and organized and respect confidentiality. Ability to analyze and solve problems. Working Conditions Requires a fair amount of walking between facilities, also entails standing or sitting at biological safety cabinets and isolators in facility or laboratory. Also entails sitting for computer-based work in an office environment. Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds. Application Documents Resume (required) Cover Letter (preferred) When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application. Job Family Research Role Impact Individual Contributor Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 Drug Test Required No Health Screen Required Yes Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required No Pay Rate Type Hourly ? FLSA Status Non-Exempt ? Pay Range $24.04 - $33.65 The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting. Benefits Eligible Yes The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook . Posting Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position. The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu . Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.

Keywords: University of Chicago, Chicago , GRAF Research Specialist, Science, Research & Development , Chicago, Illinois