ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN JOB DESCRIPTION

Undetected health deterioration in a research colony can invalidate months of experimental data and set back IACUC-approved study timelines by weeks. Animal Care Technicians in preclinical research settings prevent that failure by maintaining daily husbandry standards, environmental controls, and health surveillance across vivarium housing areas. The role sits within a Veterinary Resources or Comparative Medicine department and answers to facility management while serving research investigators directly. AALAS certification at the ALAT level marks the professional threshold this position is measured against.

As the Animal Care Technician, you are accountable for the daily welfare of laboratory animal colonies housed under AAALAC-accredited vivarium conditions, ensuring that husbandry practices, sanitation schedules, and health records meet both regulatory requirements and investigator research timelines. You operate within a facility team that includes veterinary staff, research scientists, and quality assurance personnel, supporting study continuity across standard and extended work schedules.

Career Impact: Earning AALAS ALAT certification in this role and advancing toward LAT or LATG levels establishes a recognized professional credential within the preclinical research labor market that distinguishes you from general veterinary support staff.

Business Impact: Investigators depend on accurate daily health observations and precise husbandry records to protect the integrity of in vivo study data; errors at this level can compromise entire research programs before they reach publication or regulatory submission.

Growth Opportunity: Technicians who develop competency in surgical support, compound administration, and genotyping gain the procedural depth needed to advance into Senior Animal Care Technician or Vivarium Supervisor roles within pharmaceutical or academic research institutions.

• Perform daily husbandry for all housed laboratory animals, including health observations, food and water replenishment, and enrichment checks.
• Monitor and document vivarium environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, and light cycles across all assigned animal rooms.
• Sanitize and sterilize cages, racks, bottles, and associated equipment according to prescribed facility SOPs and AAALAC standards.
• Assist veterinary and research staff with animal procedures, including compound administration, biological sample collection, and post-operative monitoring.
• Maintain animal room records, including census logs, cage cards, sanitation schedules, and health event documentation.
• Support colony management activities, including breeding, weaning, genotyping, and incoming animal receipt and verification.
• Receive incoming animal shipments, verify order accuracy against packing documentation, and house animals in appropriate holding areas.
• Execute facility maintenance tasks, including equipment troubleshooting, supply inventory management, and general housekeeping of support areas.

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent; or bachelor's degree in life sciences, animal science, or a related field, or equivalent work experience.
• 1 or more years of animal care experience in a laboratory, veterinary, agricultural, or comparable hands-on setting.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry principles, aseptic technique, and sanitization protocols applicable to research vivarium environments.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and comply with standard operating procedures, study protocols, and GLP documentation requirements.
• Strong attention to detail and observational skills, with the capacity to identify and report abnormal animal behavior or facility conditions promptly.
• Ability to perform physically demanding tasks, including lifting up to 50 pounds, standing for extended periods, and working in a controlled-environment PPE.
• Verbal and written communication skills sufficient to document health findings legibly and coordinate effectively with veterinary and research staff.
• Availability to work flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by facility rotas.

• AALAS certification at the ALAT level, or ability to obtain within 12 to 18 months of hire.
• Experience performing technical procedures such as oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, blood sampling, or tissue collection in rodent models.
• Familiarity with AAALAC accreditation standards, SPF-barrier housing practices, or sentinel health monitoring programs.
• Working knowledge of laboratory information systems, cage-tracking software, or standard office applications used for recordkeeping and reporting.

• Daily health observation completion rate, tracking whether all assigned animals are assessed and documented each shift.
• Cage change compliance percentage, measuring adherence to scheduled sanitization intervals against facility SOP requirements.
• Animal health incident report accuracy, reflecting the timeliness and completeness of abnormal-finding documentation submitted to veterinary staff.
• Colony record error rate, counting discrepancies found during audit of cage cards, census logs, and breeding records per review cycle.
• Equipment downtime attributable to missed preventive maintenance tasks, measured in hours per quarter across assigned vivarium areas.
• Typical tools: cage wash systems (commonly tunnel washers or rack washers); autoclave units; ventilated rack systems; colony management software (commonly vivarium-specific platforms).

• Base Salary Range: $36,000 to $52,000 per year, depending on experience and facility type
• Bonus: Annual merit increase or modest performance bonus at some institutions
• Equity: Not typical at this level
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; occupational health program participation often included
• PTO: 10 to 15 days per year, plus paid holidays
• Common Perks: AALAS certification reimbursement, PPE provided, shift differential for weekend or overnight coverage

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background screening, including criminal history review and where applicable drug testing, is a condition of employment for this position given its access to regulated research facilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available throughout the hiring process and in the performance of essential job functions upon request. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Junior Animal Care Technician owns daily husbandry operations, including power washing, disinfecting, and administering veterinarian-prescribed treatments, for livestock, companion, and laboratory animals in a cause-driven, customer-focused facility. Working alongside veterinary and operations staff, this role builds a safe, compliant environment that directly supports animal health outcomes and research integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform general housekeeping and prepare for incoming animals, including power washing, disinfecting, and facility set-up.
• Perform daily observation of animals and report any abnormalities.
• Perform animal handling and assist in animal conditioning, including vaccinations and deworming.
• Administer treatments prescribed by the veterinarian for livestock, companion, and laboratory animals.
• Operate sterilizers, cage washers, and other equipment properly.
• Operate large equipment, including snow removal equipment, farm machinery, and forklifts, properly.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification or ability to obtain within 16 months of employment.
• Must be able to read, understand, and follow written procedures and properly document work with strict adherence to GXP documentation.
• General knowledge of aseptic and proper sanitization techniques with ability to perform and follow rules of these techniques.
• Ability to use basic logic to identify and solve problems and recognize creative ideas that improve efficiency and reduce complexity.
• Demonstrated understanding of systems, equipment, and processes with ability to set up and troubleshoot equipment as required.
• Effective and efficient organizational, time management, and multi-tasking skills.
• Proficient in reading, comprehension, and application skills toward a diverse set of complicated tasks.
• Ability to work in adverse outdoor conditions and exhibit interpersonal skills conducive to effective communication and teamwork.
• Completion of Post Offer Exam, Work Simulation, or Administrative Skills Testing, if applicable.

Embedded within the acclaimed Research Operations Department at Boston Children's Hospital, the Animal Care Technician delivers essential staging, husbandry, and quality assurance support for laboratory animals housed in a research environment aligned with Harvard Medical School standards. Working closely with animal care operations staff and veterinary resources, this role builds a compliant, safety-conscious foundation that protects the integrity of investigator research.

Core Functions

• Provide basic staging and support to ARCH Operations.
• Operate equipment such as tunnel washers, cage washers, bottle washers, and autoclaves.
• Maintain ARCH Animal Care Documentation.
• Observe safety and personal hygiene procedures.
• Assist and provide support to the animal care operations.
• Provide basic daily care and husbandry of laboratory animals housed in a research environment in accordance with all applicable laws and regulatory guidelines.
• Assist and provide technical support for quality assurance functions.

Qualifications & Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent with the ability to read and understand written instructions; no prior experience required.
• Analytical skills to gather and interpret data in situations where information or problems are relatively routine.
• Ability to report to work and be retained at work in the event of a disaster or weather-related event, if necessary.
• Ability to work on weekends, holidays, and off hours as needed.
• Ability to work directly with animals with no preexisting allergies to animals, hair, or dander.
• Ability to be fit tested and wear an N95 mask or PAPR as required in specific locations within ARCH throughout the workday.
• Steel-toed boots to be worn at all times.
• Attention to detail when observing animals and completing documentation, as employee error could cause catastrophic results to the investigator's research.

Sitting at the intersection of animal husbandry and pharmaceutical research support, the Animal Care Technician contributes veterinary, cage wash, clinical care, and technical services within the ATPLV division of Lilly Research Laboratories to sustain a quality, compliant animal care program. Operating across Discovery Biology, Veterinary Resources, and divisional committees, this role delivers the husbandry and sanitation infrastructure that enables key research capabilities across the organization.

Duties

• Provide animal husbandry support, including daily health observations, feed and water checks, and cage change-out on a scheduled basis.
• Provide sanitation services for animal rooms, procedure laboratories, necropsy rooms, surgery suites, and other support facilities.
• Provide general housekeeping for corridors and support areas, including feed rooms, procedure rooms, surgery rooms, and cage wash areas.
• Perform limited prophylactic or therapeutic measures on animals, various animal identification methods, and daily recordkeeping.
• Observe laboratory animals for variations in dietary habits, feces and urine character, health status, unusual behavior, and death, and report distress or disease signs to appropriate personnel.
• Perform animal receipt, census, technical support, project support, and administrative support.
• Support Discovery, Veterinary Resources, and divisional needs through committee and project involvement and project management.

Requirements

• High school diploma required, bachelor's degree in life sciences or Registered Veterinary Technician preferred.
• AALAS certification, with ALAT level or higher encouraged to be attained within the first year of employment.
• 1 year of experience working directly with animals.
• Awareness and general understanding of federal, state, and local regulations and the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals.
• Transferable skills and ability to learn new tasks, with general knowledge of machinery helpful.
• Good verbal, written, and electronic communication skills.
• Must be able to push, pull, and lift to 50 pounds and perform long periods of walking, standing, and repetitive tasks.

Individuals with known allergies to animals, formalin, corn, or wood products should not apply.

A key member of the research animal care team, the Animal Care Technician leads daily husbandry, welfare checks, and pre- and post-operative care for animals across a biosecure research facility subject to satisfactory security screening. Collaborating across research groups, technical staff, and facility operations, this role delivers the high-standard animal welfare and customer service outcomes that underpin effective research activity.

Functions

• Perform general animal husbandry, including cleaning, care, feeding, and watering of animals.
• Conduct daily checks to ensure animal welfare meets the highest industry standards.
• Liaise with research groups and technical staff regarding breeding, procedural support, and other service requirements.
• Provide excellent customer service for all stakeholders.
• Perform pre and post-operative care of animals under guidance, including appropriate recordkeeping.
• Participate in weekend and holiday rotas as required.
• Read, understand, and refer to study plans to effectively support related activity.
• Follow protocols, working practices, and risk assessments to ensure a safe working environment and high standards of animal welfare.
• Assist with the daily running of facilities, including general housekeeping, service areas, store rooms, and equipment maintenance.
• Uphold the security and biosecurity of the department at all times as a team member.

Experience & Qualifications

• Good basic education equivalent to O-level, GCSE, NVQ2 or equivalent.
• Previous work experience in an animal care environment with basic animal handling skills, including handling, cleaning, feeding, and watering.
• Experience in customer service provision.
• Knowledge of abnormal behaviours or sickness in animals.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently, planning and prioritising tasks within defined guidelines.
• Good written and oral communication skills with the ability to understand and follow instructions.
• Basic IT skills, with good numeracy and literacy.
• Ability to work in a physically demanding environment within time constraints, with an appreciation of the emotional challenges of working in a research animal environment.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal core hours when required to cover departmental needs.

Sustained research outcomes in a vivarium depend on the Animal Care Technician, who leads routine rodent husbandry, minor clinical treatments ordered by a veterinarian, and cage wash operations within assigned animal rooms and vivarium areas. Based within a team committed to AALAS learning and development, this role shapes the safe, well-documented animal care environment that supports both ongoing research and the onboarding of new facility employees.

Accountabilities

• Perform routine animal husbandry and welfare duties as directed for rodents.
• Perform minor clinical treatments as ordered by a veterinarian, including oral medications, topical treatments, eye ointment, and provision of gelled water or pellet feeding.
• Supply appropriate food and water for animals housed in the vivarium.
• Clean and provide animal housing and associated materials and equipment within assigned animal rooms.
• Observe and report animal health status, food and water consumption, appearance, and behavior, and provide support in health monitoring.
• Perform sanitation duties and housekeeping within assigned animal rooms and vivarium areas.
• Serve as the primary cage wash technician and support cage wash equipment operations and maintenance.
• May receive animal deliveries and provide training support for new employees in animal care and facility operations.
• Facilitate AALAS learning and development opportunities and adhere to safety policies, SOPs, and guidelines.
• Access and perform basic computer-based tasks such as email, online forms, and web-based training.

Technical Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in animal or life sciences preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of directly related laboratory animal experience in an AAALAC-accredited facility.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level within 18 months of hire.
• Proficiency with basic animal identification methods.
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail, and strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and exhibit interpersonal skills conducive to effective communication and a congenial work environment.
• Willingness to participate in the Occupational Health Program, including recommended immunizations.
• Ability to move about for long periods, perform repetitive movements, operate equipment, and move items weighing up to 40 pounds.

As the Animal Care Technician, this role shapes research trial activities, including animal weighing, feeding, and various types of samplings, in support of developing new or improved products, processes, or services within a research team. The research organization relies on this work to ensure protocol requirements are met, medical care plans are coordinated, and standard animal husbandry and housekeeping standards are consistently upheld.

Activities

• Perform basic building and equipment maintenance and troubleshooting to ensure protocol requirements are met.
• Maintain safe and clean working conditions according to the safety program and animal welfare standards in accordance with animal policies.
• Contribute to continuous evaluation and improvement of health issues, including experimental methodology and research procedures.
• Coordinate and implement medical care and treatment plans, including monitoring animal condition, evaluating sick or injured animals, and collecting and recording relevant data.
• Handle complex clerical, administrative, technical, or customer support issues under minimal supervision, escalating only the most complex issues to appropriate staff.

Position Requirements

• High school diploma, secondary education level, or equivalent.
• Accredited industry-related animal technician license and/or certification.
• Minimum of four years of related work experience.
• Experience operating scales, forklifts, feed carts, and pallet jacks.
• Basic working knowledge of animal care.
• Ability to communicate clearly in written and oral form.

Animal Care Technician performs daily husbandry and housekeeping operations, including feeding, watering, cage processing, and post-operative care, for research animals in a vivarium environment in compliance with laboratory rodent care guidelines. The work directly supports both in vivo experimental procedures and breeding colony operations while maintaining the safety and documentation standards required by facility protocols.

Operational Focus

• Monitor animal health for overt signs of disease and report any changes to the supervisor and veterinary staff.
• Maintain the sanitation of animal care equipment and process caging for use.
• Perform routine animal care, including feeding, watering, and cleaning cages.
• Prepare and apply experimental treatments.
• Keep accurate logs of routine care.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Proficient communication skills and a high degree of professionalism.
• Demonstrated time management, priority setting skills, and high commitment to quality.
• Willingness to participate in the Occupational Health Program for LARC employees, including receiving recommended immunizations.
• Ability to move about for long periods, perform repetitive movements, operate equipment, and move items weighing up to 40 pounds.

The Animal Care Technician produces comprehensive daily care for a variety of animal species, including non-human primates, encompassing observation, feeding, watering, environmental enrichment, and biological sample collection in support of veterinary and research staff. Working within a department that designates this position as Essential Personnel for emergency response, this role advances a compliant, well-documented facility environment that safeguards ongoing research programs.

Key Deliverables

• Provide animal husbandry to a variety of animals, including non-human primates, including daily observation, feeding, watering, exercising, and providing environmental enrichment.
• Monitor animal room light cycles and document the room environment, including temperature and humidity, daily.
• Sanitize animal cages and equipment, and clean biosafety hoods and animal change stations in animal rooms.
• Receive animals and supplies from vendors, properly house animals, and store supplies according to established SOPs.
• Prepare animal diets, cages, and water for autoclaving and operate autoclaves to sterilize animal food, water, and equipment.
• Review and inspect the animal facility and report problems to the supervisor so work orders for repairs can be prepared.
• Assist veterinary and research staff with animal procedures such as the collection of biological samples and the administration of medications and treatments.
• Observe animals for signs of injury, discomfort, and disease, and assist with the treatment of sick animals as directed, including monitoring through the sentinel program.
• Monitor and change ventilated cage rack filters and animal room filters, and provide preventive maintenance on ventilated racks.
• Participate in the department's Emergency Response Team as Essential Personnel.

Professional Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of animal care experience.
• Experience with non-human primates and VAF rodents preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of the handling and care of laboratory animal species.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and computer literacy.
• Ability to complete assignments accurately and with attention to detail, analyze and prioritize work under pressure while meeting deadlines.
• Ability to work evenings, nights, and weekends as required, both independently and in a collaborative environment.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 50 pounds without assistance.

Embedded within the Insourcing Solutions Department in Spring House, PA, the Animal Care Technician oversees daily health observation, cage changing, cage wash operations, and facility documentation for client animal facilities in accordance with all SOP and facility requirements. Working closely with facility management and research staff, this role produces the organized, compliant husbandry environment that supports the welfare of a diverse range of animal species.

Areas of Ownership

• Monitor daily animal health and welfare, perform daily health observations, and provide appropriate food and water, including daily water bottle and automatic water line checks.
• Perform cage changing, cage cleaning, and record animal health concerns per SOP and specified protocols.
• Perform daily cage-wash duties and sanitation, including sanitizing caging and equipment, disposing of soiled bedding, and cleaning cage-preparation and storage areas.
• Maintain the assigned area in a clean and organized manner in accordance with all SOPs and facility requirements.
• Ensure all facility documentation, including room logs, equipment logbooks, checklists, and other records are completed in a timely fashion.
• Assist with the restraint, handling, and manipulation of various animal species as assigned.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma, GED, or equivalent required; bachelor's degree in animal or life sciences preferred.
• Minimum 1 year of directly related laboratory animal experience in an AAALAC-accredited facility.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level or above preferred.
• Proficiency with basic animal identification methods.
• Strong organization skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal English communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and exhibit interpersonal skills conducive to effective communication and a congenial work environment.

Sitting at the intersection of animal husbandry and laboratory research support, the Animal Care Technician develops and maintains a high-quality care program, including tissue and organ harvests, genotyping, and breeding colony operations, for rodents in an SPF-barrier laboratory animal facility. Operating across animal care, research supply, and technical assistance functions, this role sustains the clean, well-documented environment that allows research projects to advance without interruption.

Job Functions

• Assist with the receiving and housing of incoming animals.
• Perform facility maintenance, including cleaning, sanitizing, and sterilizing laboratory surfaces, equipment, and supplies as scheduled.
• Maintain and update animal colony database and records, including environmental conditions, daily health and welfare observations, and food and water checks.
• Perform basic tissue and organ harvests, post-procedural monitoring, and sample and data collection.
• Perform preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment.
• Perform some breeding, weaning, and genotyping.
• Prepare clean cages, change soiled cages, and wash and sanitize caging and accessories as scheduled.
• Receive and maintain an adequate stock of animal care and research supplies.
• Provide technical assistance, such as administering injections.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required, advanced degree may substitute for experience.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level preferred or ability to obtain within the first year.
• Genuine care for animals with 1 year of experience working with rodents in a laboratory animal facility preferred.
• Prior experience in a vet's office, groomer's, or similar setting is accepted.
• Familiarity with AAALAC accreditation standards and SPF-barrier practices preferred.
• Attention to detail, excellent communication skills.
• Ability to review, comprehend, and comply with all SOPs and quality assurance standards about laboratory animals.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to lift 35 pounds and work weekends and occasional holidays.

No animal allergies.

A key member of the Special Services team, the Animal Care Technician develops efficient receiving, transportation, and housing workflows for all incoming animals across RARC facilities at MSKCC and WCMC. Collaborating across RARC employees, investigators, and vivarium management, this role produces the accurate, SOP-compliant intake and equipment servicing processes that protect animal health and welfare from the moment of delivery.

What You'll Do

• Receive all incoming animals, check for species, strain, sex, and health status, and prepare cage cards for each cage.
• Transfer animals from shipping crates to new cages and verify accuracy of order by comparing order to packing slip and actual animals delivered.
• Deliver animals to proper animal rooms and ensure holding room environmental parameters are met and maintained.
• Report all facility-related problems to management and contact RARC employees and investigators regarding housing or health and welfare issues.
• Update data in applicable software applications as needed.
• Perform light carpentry work and minor equipment installations in vivaria at management's request.
• Implement and adhere to applicable SOPs and assist in SOP development by providing input.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level required.
• Valid NY state driver's license and completion of USDOT Commercial Driver Fitness Certification upon hiring, with compliance with MSK Drivers Drug and Alcohol policy.
• Understanding of the purpose and requirements for maintaining axenic animals and aquatic animal species.
• Familiarity with computer skills, including email, internet, word-processing, and departmental sites such as Microsoft Office.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions and function independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills.

Comprehensive animal research outcomes depend on the Animal Care Technician, who oversees husbandry, restraint, environmental monitoring, and equipment operations for all laboratory animal species, including non-human primates, within a multi-species vivarium setting. Serving as the primary point of contact for daily facility condition reports, this role produces the sanitation, recordkeeping, and post-operative care infrastructure that keeps animal populations treated humanely and research operations running without disruption.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Perform animal observations and provide care and husbandry services.
• Observe, record, and report atypical findings of the environment and animal health to the Vivarium Manager immediately.
• Handle, restrain, and provide care for all species of laboratory animals, including providing clean food, water, and bedding, and assisting with experimental procedures and post-operative care.
• Maintain animal room records, including census, sanitation, environmental monitoring, enrichment, feeding, and cage card identification.
• Receive animals, including general health observation, sexing, and identification.
• Provide daily reports on the general condition of the facility with respect to safety, sanitation, equipment operation, maintenance, and environmental monitoring.
• Operate and maintain animal care equipment, including washing, cleaning, and autoclaving of cages.
• Ensure that animal populations are treated humanely and perform other duties as directed by management.

Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma minimum required, 6 months of prior applicable experience desirable.
• Experience in a laboratory setting preferred.
• Proficiency in English and ability to understand light to moderately complex SOPs with legible documentation.
• Ability to work varying schedules and hours and provide comprehensive after-hours and on-call coverage as needed.
• Ability to perform duties with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work in a moderate to high noise environment and perform repetitive tasks, including walking, bending, and lifting to 50 pounds.

Reporting to Comparative Medicine department leadership, the Animal Care Technician refines animal care operations, encompassing cage change procedures, technical procedures such as blood sampling and necropsy, and sentinel program management, within a world-class facility central to oncology, heart disease, and inflammation research. Partnering with investigators and supply chain staff, this role enables scientific experiments by maintaining lean, well-stocked laboratory spaces and delivering advanced husbandry for covered species.

Role Responsibilities

• Care for laboratory animals and provide husbandry, including cage change procedures and daily health observations.
• Perform technical procedures, including enrichment, blood sampling, dosing, anesthesia, necropsy, and scientific data recording as needed.
• Handle and restrain a variety of laboratory animals and manage advanced program components, including the sentinel program and care of covered species.
• Assist in receiving, housing, and shipping processes.
• Monitor inventory of animal feed, bedding, enrichment, and other supplies.
• Operate husbandry-related equipment such as cage washers, autoclaves, laminar air flow cabinets, and other equipment.
• Maintain and organize laboratory spaces using 5S and lean management practices for research success.
• Provide supplies and support for investigators conducting scientific experiments.

Background & Experience

• Associate's degree and 2 years of relevant experience, 2 years in a technical school with hands-on experience, or high school diploma/GED and 4 years of relevant experience.
• RVT, BS/BA, or associate's degree in animal science, biology, or related field preferred.
• AALAS certification preferred; animal care or production experience in laboratory, veterinary, boarding, agriculture, or other settings.
• In vivo rodent skills, including handling and sample collections.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills with the ability to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Basic computer skills in Outlook, Excel, and Word, plus the ability to fill out online forms.
• Ability to wear PPE, including gloves, protective clothing, and eye safety glasses, and move materials up to 50 pounds.

As the Animal Care Technician, this role oversees daily care of research animals, facility cleanliness, and GLP-compliant husbandry procedures, including cage washing, surgery support, and inventory management, within a research vivarium operating under local, state, and federal guidelines. The research organization relies on this work to maintain quality checks on laboratory and animal room cleanliness while coordinating with vendors and supervisors on operational and technical responsibilities.

Scope of Work

• Perform daily care of research animals for experimental purposes.
• Maintain animal husbandry and thorough cleanliness of the facility, including regular cleaning of animal cages and racks.
• May assist in surgery and post-operative care as directed.
• Execute activities consistent with protocols, SOPs, and GLP guidelines, and maintain the current Animal Care Technician SOP Data Matrix as requested by the Quality Assurance Department.
• Secure animal intake and disposal, and maintain inventory of laboratory supplies.
• Coordinate with vendors and supervisors on operational, administrative, and technical responsibilities.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum 2 years of experience working in animal care, or ALAT certification with 1 year of animal care experience.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Multitasking skills in a fast-paced and sometimes stressful environment.
• Ability to lift to 50 pounds.
• Ability to adapt to changing research efforts and projects.

The Animal Care Technician shapes daily operations within the Cancer Modeling Shared Resource by performing standardized husbandry, pre-surgical preparation, and colony management procedures for small animal species in a translational research setting. Partnering with veterinary resources and research staff, this role drives the facility upkeep and accurate data recording that accelerates discovery of tailored antitumor therapies.

Primary Duties

• Ensure animal rooms are kept clean and organized, and liaise with veterinary resources and lab members to maintain general facility cleanliness.
• Clean and sanitize cages and equipment according to prescribed standards and established procedures.
• Maintain lab, storage areas, and treatment rooms daily, including sweeping and mopping floors.
• Provide food, water, and basic husbandry care for small animal species and rotate feed to ensure freshness.
• Receive, verify, and store shipments of animal feed and supplies in a neat and orderly manner.
• Observe animals daily to assess health, environmental conditions, and social environment, and advise veterinary staff of findings.
• Perform pre-surgical treatments, prepare animals for surgical procedures, and assist in complex surgical procedures, including maintaining and sterilizing equipment.
• Support colony management and technical procedures, including compound administration, genotyping, and non-invasive imaging of mice.
• Perform routine maintenance and basic mechanical repair to mobile caging, racks, tables, and automatic watering equipment.
• Maintain cage cards, animal histories, and other records, including data collection and analysis for experimental purposes.

Skills & Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• AALAS certification at the ALAT level preferred or to be obtained within 12 months of hire.
• Minimum 1 year of relevant animal care experience preferred.
• Knowledge of animal husbandry requirements, methods, techniques, and local, state, and federal regulations about animal husbandry.
• Knowledge of laboratory facility use and maintenance, supplies ordering, and inventory control.
• Mechanical ability and dexterity when performing animal-related techniques, including ability to establish dosages and administer drugs.
• Ability to observe, assess, and record symptoms, reactions, and progress while maintaining quality, safety, and infection control standards.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills in English, both verbal and written, required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, including evenings, nights, and weekends as necessary.