Private Institution National Laboratory Astana 

The main objectives of the NLA are to conduct multidisciplinary basic and/or applied scientific research in the life sciences, energy, interdisciplinary and other fields of science, as well as activities to establish scientific laboratory, experimental bases, centers, institutes for the development and implementation of scientific, scientific and technical, educational programs and training of specialists.

Conducting preclinical studies; research and trainings on small and large laboratory (experimental) animals.

1) Organising and coordinating the housing, breeding and record-keeping of small laboratory animals, and compliance with established housing requirements; 2) Providing organisational and methodological support for research conducted in the Facility; 3) Coordinating the work of Facility staff (veterinarians and veterinary attendants) and monitoring compliance with approved standard operating procedures for animal housing, cleaning and disinfection of premises, preparation of cages and equipment, and movement of animals and materials; 4) Liaising with the responsible veterinary and technical specialists on compliance with the established SPF regime; 5) Liaising with the administrative staff of the Institution on the operation of the Facility as necessary; 6) Providing training and advice to researchers and other interested parties on the organisation of the Facility’s work, its services and other processes related to preclinical research; 7) Preparing the information required for monthly, quarterly and annual reports on the Facility’s activities for the Head of the Facility and/or authorised persons or organisations; 8) Carrying out instructions from the Head of the Facility in a timely and accurate manner, including: - preparing draft applications, explanatory notes and internal memoranda; - preparing technical specifications for goods, works and services to be procured for the Facility; - providing information for the procurement of goods, works and services, and preparing the required documents using approved forms when necessary; - monitoring procurement requests until the parties fulfil their contractual obligations; - participating in the acceptance of goods and animals; - collecting original documents for purchased goods, completed works and services rendered in a timely manner; 9) Participating in the preparation and administration of anaesthesia to laboratory animals; 10) Monitoring animal condition before and after experimental procedures together with the responsible veterinarian and/or veterinary attendant; 11) Advising researchers on the use of medicines and veterinary preparations and their routes of administration, within the limits of professional competence and approved procedures; 12) Monitoring the disposal of medical and biological waste, including the removal of animal carcasses, and maintaining records of the required waste-disposal documentation; 2 13) Preparing draft contracts with individuals and legal entities (residents/non-residents) as necessary; 14) Organising and overseeing animal records, establishing and managing colonies, breeding, weaning, allocation to cages, identification, transfer and removal of animals in accordance with approved procedures; planning animal placement in cages and rooms according to species, sex, age, experimental group, sanitary status and the Facility’s available capacity; 15) Maintaining and updating electronic records of animals, cages, rooms and Facility resources; 16) Monitoring and checking completed electronic and paper logs used in the Facility; 17) Participating in the development, implementation and updating of standard operating procedures, regulations and instructions for the housing and use of laboratory animals; 18) Participating in planning the development of the Facility’s infrastructure, including the procurement of equipment, caging systems, consumables and animal record-keeping software.

Higher education. An academic research degree is an advantage. Priority specialisations: human and animal physiology; neurobiology; biological sciences; medicine; veterinary medicine; pharmaceutical sciences; pharmacology / clinical pharmacology.

Experience in teaching and participation in research projects, including administration and submission of grant applications. Experience in laboratory work, work with animals and preclinical research (minimum 5 years).

Knowledge of preclinical research, management, recordkeeping, education and science to the extent required for the position. Knowledge of the fundamentals of civil, corporate, financial, administrative and labour legislation. Preclinical research skills; analytical and organisational abilities; skills in organising and/or coordinating laboratories; project management skills; leadership of research projects; teamwork; business correspondence skills

Organisational abilities; stress tolerance; responsibility and discipline; accuracy and attention to detail; initiative; welldeveloped leadership qualities; ability to multitask; communication skills; willingness to undertake regular training and learn new standards and rules.

Fluency in English and Russian. Knowledge of Kazakh is an advantage. 

Skills in maintaining and updating electronic records of animals, cages, rooms and resources; using electronic logs and checking their completion