Lead Fish Unit Technician | Biomedical Services

Job Details

We seek a highly communicative and motivated person to work and oversee operations in our state-of-the-art Fish Unit, part of the broader Biomedical Services team, a critical resource for our research programs. You will work closely with a team of animal caretakers to ensure the highest standards of care and welfare for our zebrafish and to provide excellent service to our scientists. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge scientific discoveries and to shape the daily interface between facility operations and research as we seek to understand fundamental biological processes.

Your role

In our fish unit, you will be mainly responsible for three key areas: zebrafish husbandry and daily operations, workflow coordination and user training, as well as administrative duties, including but not limited to the following tasks:
 

• Zebrafish Husbandry & Facility Operations
  • Daily care, including feeding, health monitoring, water quality, and system checks.
  • Breeding and colony maintenance, including coordination and stock keeping of several genetic backgrounds.
  • Routine maintenance, cleaning, and troubleshooting of aquatic systems and facility equipment.
• Coordination & Training
  • Coordinating daily schedules and workflows in the fish unit and serving as a technical point of contact.
  • Training and onboarding new staff members and scientific users (zebrafish handling, facility rules, best practices, animal database).
  • Supporting continuous improvement in processes, workflows, and animal welfare.
• Administration & Quality Assurance
  • Managing the unit’s digital animal database and ensuring accurate records.
  • Monitoring supplies, obtaining and verifying quotations, placing orders, and ensuring stock availability.
  • Supporting protocol development (SOPs) and maintenance in alignment with regulatory and ethical guidelines (TSchG, FELASA).

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Trained research animal caretaker, research technician (MTA/BTA), or comparable qualification.
• Professional experience with zebrafish, aquacultural animal husbandry, or similar.
• Excellent organizational abilities, structured work style, and keen attention to detail.
• Strong written and spoken communication in German and English.
• Strong skills in digital record-keeping and routine administrative software.
• Working knowledge of the legal and welfare standards for aquatic research animals.

Desirable skills

• FELASA (or similar) certificate would be an advantage.
• Ability to work with and motivate a team in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.
• Proven track record of experience in a research environment.

Contact Information

Your application

Please submit your complete application via our online application system stating 2025-FishFacility-BMS-4030 initially by 31.12.2025. Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter explaining your motivation
2. CV
3. Relevant academic and professional certificates

Initial questions about the position can be addressed to Brian von Rueden, Head of Human Resources, via Mail.