Pre-Clinical Research Associate

Description
Orano Med Theranostics

Orano Med has developed new processes for producing high-purity lead-212, a rare radioactive isotope. Lead-212 is currently at the heart of promising research projects in nuclear medicine to develop new treatments against cancer. The innovative approach, known as targeted alpha therapy (TAT), recognizes and destroys cancer cells while limiting the impact on nearby healthy cells.

The Pre-Clinical Research Associate is responsible for supporting preclinical cancer research studies involving rodent models. This role involves animal husbandry, research procedures, sample collection, and study support activities while maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and regulatory compliance. The position requires handling and monitoring radioactive materials used in research protocols and ensuring compliance with institutional, federal, and radiation safety regulations.

Key Responsibilities:

Animal Care and Husbandry

• Provide daily care and monitoring of research animals.
• Observe animals for signs of illness, distress, or abnormal behavior and report findings promptly.
• Maintain accurate animal health and welfare records.
• Perform cage changing and animal identification.
• Ensure animal housing areas remain clean and compliant with facility standards.

Animal Care and Husbandry

• Provide daily care and monitoring of research animals.
• Observe animals for signs of illness, distress, or abnormal behavior and report findings promptly.
• Maintain accurate animal health and welfare records.
• Perform cage changing and animal identification.
• Ensure animal housing areas remain clean and compliant with facility standards.

Research Support

• Assist with preclinical studies in the field of cancer biology utilizing rodent models.
• Perform routine in vivo procedures, including:
• Animal handling and restraint
• Dosing via oral gavage, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration
• Tumor measurements and monitoring
• Blood collection
• Tissue collection and necropsy support
• Collect, process, and document biological samples according to study protocols.
• Maintain study records in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and institutional requirements.

Radioactive Materials Handling

• Handle radioactive material in accordance with approved protocols.
• Follow all radiation safety procedures, including proper use of dosimetry badges and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Monitor and document radioactive material usage and disposal.
• Assist with contamination surveys and decontamination procedures when necessary.
• Maintain accurate records required by radiation safety and regulatory agencies.

Compliance and Safety

• Adhere to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and regulations.
• Maintain compliance within institutional guidelines.
• Follow biosafety, chemical safety, and radiation safety procedures.
• Participate in inspections, audits, and training programs as required.

• Assist with preclinical studies in the field of cancer biology utilizing rodent models.
• Perform routine in vivo procedures, including:

• • Animal handling and restraint
  • Dosing via oral gavage, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, and intravenous administration
  • Tumor measurements and monitoring
  • Blood collection
  • Tissue collection and necropsy support

• Collect, process, and document biological samples according to study protocols.
• Maintain study records in compliance with Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and institutional requirements.

Radioactive Materials Handling

• Handle radioactive material in accordance with approved protocols.
• Follow all radiation safety procedures, including proper use of dosimetry badges and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Monitor and document radioactive material usage and disposal.
• Assist with contamination surveys and decontamination procedures when necessary.
• Maintain accurate records required by radiation safety and regulatory agencies.

Compliance and Safety

• Adhere to Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocols and regulations.
• Maintain compliance within institutional guidelines.
• Follow biosafety, chemical safety, and radiation safety procedures.
• Participate in inspections, audits, and training programs as required.

Requirements
All candidates must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for this opportunity. Candidates who exceed minimum qualifications may be considered for a higher-level position.

Minimum Qualifications :

Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Biology, Animal Science, Biotechnology, Veterinary Technology, Life Sciences, or a related field.

Minimum of 0-2 years of laboratory animal experience preferred.

Ability to work with rodents and perform routine research procedures.

Willingness to obtain and maintain radiation safety training and certifications as required.

Strong attention to detail and recordkeeping skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team

Experience

Technical Competencies

• Rodent handling, restraint, and welfare assessment
• Animal husbandry and colony management
• Administration of compounds via oral gavage, subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous, and intramuscular routes
• Blood collection techniques and biological sample processing
• Tumor implantation, measurement, and monitoring (preferred)
• Necropsy and tissue collection procedures
• Radioactive material handling and radiation safety compliance
• Aseptic technique and contamination control
• Data collection, documentation, and record management
• Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Documentation Practice (GDP) compliance
• Knowledge of IACUC and institutional regulations

Core Competencies

• Attention to Detail: Maintains accurate records and identifies subtle changes in animal health or study parameters.
• Scientific Integrity: Adheres to research protocols, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Problem Solving: Identifies issues and develops practical solutions while minimizing study impact.
• Organization and Time Management: Effectively prioritizes multiple studies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Communication: Clearly communicates observations, study results, and concerns to investigators and team members.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Works effectively with veterinarians, scientists, technicians, and compliance personnel.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to changing study needs, schedules, and research priorities.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of assigned tasks and follows through on commitments.
• Safety Awareness: Consistently applies laboratory, animal, biosafety, and radiation safety practices

Differentiating Skills

Knowledge of and experience with common laboratory animals.