Animal Technician II - Tonix Pharmaceutical : Job Details

About Tonix*

Tonix is a biopharmaceutical company, publicly traded on NASDAQ (ticker: TNXP). The Company is focused on commercializing, developing, discovering and licensing therapeutics to treat and prevent human disease. Tonix markets Zembrace SymTouch (sumatriptan injection) 3 mg and Tosymra (sumatriptan nasal spray) 10 mg. Zembrace SymTouch and Tosymra are each indicated for the treatment of acute migraine with or without aura in adults. Tonix's development portfolio is composed of central nervous system (CNS), rare disease, immunology and infectious disease product candidates. Tonix's CNS development portfolio includes both small molecules and biologics to treat pain, neurologic, psychiatric and addiction conditions. The Company's immunology portfolio includes biologics to address organ transplant rejection, autoimmunity, and cancer. Tonix's infectious disease pipeline consists of a vaccine in development to prevent smallpox and monkeypox, which also serves as the live virus vaccine platform or recombinant pox vaccine platform for other infectious diseases.

Position Overview

Tonix is looking for a full-time Animal Technician II to effectively provide in vivo study support in ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 environments. The individual in this position would be responsible for handling and working with a variety of animal species. The individual in this position would also be responsible for executing key activities on in vivo studies following appropriate procedures. The Animal Technician II has a strong understanding of the principles involved in providing documenting quality animal study support, is proficient in applying these principles, and has a proven ability to work well in a team environment. This is a fast-paced challenging position offering a competitive compensation and benefits package. The position is at Tonix's Research and Development Center (RDC) which is the innovation and development arm of Tonix Pharmaceuticals. This position will report directly to the Manager, In Vivo Laboratories and will be based at the Frederick, MD office.

Essential Duties

Minimum Qualifications

* Provide general research support in the in vivo laboratories. The Animal Technician I must have demonstrated understanding of scientific research and methods.

* Execute key activities on a study, following appropriate procedures

* Eligible to act as study lead as assigned (identify, order and organize study supplies, organize necessary paperwork, compare study protocol to ACUP to ensure no discrepancies, etc.)

* Administer test and control materials by various routes, including (but not limited to) gavage, intravenous, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, and subcutaneous

* Collect samples and specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, urine, feces, etc.)

* Administer analgesia and anesthesia to all species of animals in the facility and monitor their recovery

* Administer treatments to animals with active clinical cases

* Gather experimental data by measuring and recording body weights and temperatures, qualitative and quantitative food and water consumption, and observation of physical condition

* Provide clean housing, feed, water, and appropriate enrichment for animals housed in ABSL-2 and ABSL-3 environments Transfer animals and animal identification to clean caging/racks

* Clean animal cages, equipment, and work areas and decontaminate animal rooms

* Operate sanitizing and sterilizing equipment (rack washer, autoclave, etc.)

* Store feed, bedding, materials, and equipment

* Cross train on blood processing and applicable in vitro assays

* Receive and quarantine animals as required

* Participate, as appropriate, in all scheduled and unscheduled regulatory inspections of the animal facility (USDA, FDA, AAALAC, etc.)

* Observe animals daily and report abnormal findings to the appropriate individual(s)

* Handle and restrain rodents, rabbits, ferrets, and nonhuman primates

* Perform animal identification procedures (ear tag, transponder implantation, tattoo, etc.)

* Assist in surgeries (animal preparation, perioperative and postoperative animal monitoring)

* Sterilize surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies

* Perform animal necropsies and harvest various tissues as directed per study protocol

* Learn new techniques required to provide adequate research study support

* Observe appropriate safety and study requirements by reading, understanding, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Animal Care and Use Protocols (ACUP) and study protocols

* Uphold company mission and values through accountability, innovation, integrity, quality, and teamwork

* Perform ad-hoc work/special projects as necessary to support Tonix on various business initiatives

* Associates or Bachelor's degree in Animal or Biological Sciences plus two (2) years of experience working in a laboratory animal research environment or a High School Diploma plus five (5) years of experience working in a laboratory animal research environment

* Must like working with animals and demonstrate a commitment to quality animal care

* AALAS Certification at the ALAT or LAT level preferred

* Knowledge of GLP regulations preferred

* Ability to work overtime including nights, weekends, and holidays, on a rotating schedule

* Dedicated team player who is able to withstand the high demands of a fast-paced environment

* Excellent written, organizational, and verbal communication skills are essential

* Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

* Comfortable independently with minimal supervision

* Demonstrated ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or without accommodation

Recruitment & Staffing Agencies

Tonix does not accept agency resumes unless contacted directly by internal Tonix Talent Acquisition. Please do not forward resumes to Tonix employees or any other company location; Tonix is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Compensation & Benefits

Annualized base salary ranges from $50,000 to $90,000 plus target incentive; actual salaries will vary and may be above or below this range commensurate with several factors including experience, education, training, location, and merit.

Tonix provides a comprehensive compensation and benefits package which includes:

* Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance, Basic and Voluntary Life and AD&D Insurance, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account, and Employee Assistance Programs

* Pet Insurance

* Retirement Savings 401k with company match and annual discretionary stock options

* Generous Paid Time Off, Sick Time, & Paid Holidays

* Career Development and Training

Tonix provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetics, or any other characteristic protected by law. In addition to federal law requirements, Tonix complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfers, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Tonix expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic, information, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.