Animal Care Technician

We’re seeking a detail-oriented Animal Care Technician to provide daily husbandry and technical support for mouse and rat colonies. The role centers on cage changing and colony care, with additional responsibilities in basic genotyping, vivarium sanitation, and occasional assistance with minor surgeries and behavioral assays.

Key Responsibilities

Husbandry & Cage Changing

Perform routine cage changes (mice and rats) per SOPs and the Guide; monitor food/water, bedding, enrichment, and overall cage condition.

Conduct daily health checks; promptly escalate abnormalities to the veterinary team.

Colony Management

Set up and maintain breeding pairs; weaning, sexing, ear tagging/toe/tail ID per SOPs.

Maintain accurate electronic records (births, deaths, pairings, transfers) in colony-management software.

Genotyping

Collect samples (e.g., tail snips/ear punches).

Sanitation & Facility Care

Clean and sanitize rooms, hoods, racks, and equipment; operate/autoclave cage-wash systems; maintain PPE and biosecurity compliance.

Adhere to IACUC, AAALAC, and OSHA/Biosafety requirements.

Technical Support (as needed)

Assist with minor surgical procedures (prep, aseptic setup, instrument handling, post-op monitoring).

Support behavioral assays (e.g., rotarod, open field, grip strength) including animal handling, data logging, and equipment resets.

Documentation & Compliance

Complete logs, checklists, and deviation reports; participate in internal audits and training.

Physical & Schedule Requirements

Lift/move up to 50 lbs (cage stacks, feed, bedding); stand/walk for extended periods.

Work in PPE, with allergens and disinfectants; fit-tested for respirator if required.

Weekend/holiday rotation and occasional early/late shifts to support animal care.

Nice-to-Have

Experience with autoclave operations.

Prior exposure to behavioral testing or surgical support in rodents.

Electronic vivarium/colony software (e.g., Benchling, Mosaic, SoftMouse, or similar).

What We Offer

$15/hour, minimum 30 hrs/week.

Structured on-the-job training.

Opportunity to grow into advanced technical, behavioral, or surgical roles.