Description:
The technician will assist in collection, analysis and summary of data and also review published anticoagulant rodenticide literature on exposure and effects on non-target wildlife, including effects on vitamin K epoxide reductase. This work is part of ongoing research at the USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and is funded by the USGS Environmental Health Discipline.
The technician will weigh and dry diet samples using a protocol, data template, drying oven, electronic balance, and associated laboratory equipment at USGS-Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland. The data generated from this task will be are used to estimate daily food consumption of test animals from an anticoagulant rodenticide research study. The technician will also transfer blood clotting time data from instrument printouts and paper forms to electronic spreadsheets. The transferred data will be verified for accuracy, and then summarized using basic statistics. Finally, the technician will compile and review scientific literature on in vitro and cell-based assays assessing warfarin and anticoagulant rodenticide on the activity of vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR), with the ultimate goal of designing new research studies to more efficiently evaluate anticoagulant rodenticide exposure and effects in a manner that will minimize the use of animal test subjects.
Qualifications:
The position requires completion of undergraduate and graduate academic coursework related to biological and environmental sciences. Previous laboratory experience is highly recommended. The position requires the use of balances, drying oven, computer software for data entry and presentation. The technician will take basic laboratory safety training or demonstrate that they have already completed such training, and may be required to handle potentially toxic materials.
Deadline to Apply:
April 13th 2018