Subject: Ecotoxicology Research Technician : USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research
Ctr.

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.

To apply: Sign into Careers4Terps (https://careers.umd.edu/careers4terps) and
search for "172404".

Contact Person: Michael Maiden
Contact Email: [log in to unmask]