Penn State Job Catalog

Additional levels that exist for this job profile can be seen below.

Research Technologist - Animal Sciences perform specialized tasks associated with developing, designing, and conducting research projects and experiments under the general direction of faculty and post-docs. Tasks involve working with animals confined in conventional, barrier, quarantine, and specialized biohazard housing; may require handling of acute, chronic, and infections diseases, quarantine procedures, and radioisotopes.

• Contribute to, design, develop, conduct, and manage research projects under the general direction of faculty and post-docs; participate in formulating research methods; assist in determining goal and objective feasibility; recommend improvements
• Perform complex in vivo and in vitro procedures, experiments, and tests; harvest/collect fluids, tissues, organs, and other substances; conduct assays, microscopic, and other analyses such as hematological, microbiological, immunological, histopathological, etc.
• Culture, isolate, and identify bacteria; identify parasites and other microorganisms and perform additional specialized testing as requested
• Following research plans and protocols; compile, correlate, and verify data collected; identify integrity issues; interpret and report results
• Review, contribute to, prepare, author/co-author manuscripts, technical reports, papers, proposals, and presentations
• May manage multiple or large projects including planning, scheduling, conducting, or coordinating detailed phases of the work; serve as expert individual contributor or lead researcher; coordinate administrative, financial, personnel, and planning; monitor expenditures
• Act as liaison with other departments, divisions, or organizations to answer questions or provide advice on research projects and experiments; coordinate research and develop activities between disciplines
• Participate in committee meetings; create/ revise SOP's, policies, guidelines, training, and course material; conduct training
• Follow IACUC, IRB, DEA, USDA and other research and regulatory guidelines, procedures, and protocols
• May supervise staff, including hiring and performance management

Level:

– Advanced Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates proficient and comprehensive knowledge of defined skill areas/applications. Applies knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of a particular field to decision-making and problem–solving. Works under minimum supervision on varied and sometimes difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor or subject matter experts on unusual matters. May lead others or a team in completion of complex assignments. Interprets and communicates information clearly, accurately, and persuasively. Researches and tries new approaches when solving difficult or novel problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Indirect supervisor or mentor for other full–time employees
– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers, volunteers, or a full–time employee

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices
– May monitor/track budgets and funding

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems with progressively more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– May apply specialized knowledge and skills to resolve complex and/or varied problems, with supervisor oversight
– Researches and tries new approaches when solving problems

Independence of Action:

– Works with minimal supervision on more difficult work assignments, conferring with supervisor on unusual matters
– Follows precedents and procedures
– May set priorities and organize work within general guidelines established by supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally and externally within working unit and the University
– May communicate with external audiences for business purposes
– Promotes open communication in a manner that builds relationships among team members
– Applies appropriate strategies for managing conflict; negotiate reasonable compromises; propose and evaluate possible solutions
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly, accurately and persuasively both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 6
• Minimum – $42,100.00
• MidPoint – $51,600.00
• Maximum – $61,000.00