Anatomy and Pathology Technician, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine

University of Calgary; Calgary; On-site; CAD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Anatomy and Pathology Technician at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine supports teaching and research by preparing and cataloguing specimens, assisting with live-animal exams under veterinary supervision, and ensuring safety protocols are followed. The role involves maintaining inventories and supporting external partnerships for specimen preparation.

The position is a full-time fixed term for about two years, with potential extension, reporting to senior staff and

Qualifications

• Undergrad degree or diploma in a relevant field (e.g., Veterinary Technician, Animal Science, Biology) or equivalent experience.
• Knowledge of sanitation and disinfection principles to maintain a safe lab environment.
• Experience with laboratory equipment and basic maintenance; familiarity with WHMIS and biosafety protocols.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work including heavy lifting.
• Ability to work in a team and build professional relationships; independent work when needed.
• Willingness to work with cadaveric materials including animal cadavers and tissues.
• Experience in veterinary environments is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Support teaching, research, and service programs within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
• Procure and prepare cadaveric specimens; maintain inventory and archival records.
• Assist with handling live animals under veterinary supervision where appropriate.
• Prepare specimens for external organizations when resources permit.
• Contribute to safety and hazard assessments and ensure compliance with protocols.
• Provide guidance to students during labs to ensure proper techniques and safety.

Skills

Veterinary technician background

Sanitation and disinfection

Teamwork and communication

Animal handling experience

WHMIS and biosafety knowledge

Interpersonal professionalism

Education

Undergraduate degree or diploma in Veterinary Technician/Animal Science/Biology

Tools

MS Office

PeopleSoft

D2L/educational software

Photoshop (asset)

Job description

The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine invites applications for an Anatomy and Pathology Technician. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension. The Anatomy and Pathology Teaching Technician reports to the Manager, Community Partnerships and Clinical Affairs and receives day to day direction from the Senior Anatomy Technician, Pathology Teaching Technician and/or the other faculty members involved in curriculum delivery. This role provides essential support for teaching anatomy, anatomic and clinical pathology, as well as diagnostic veterinary medicine.

Summary of Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for the successful execution of various tasks that directly support the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine's teaching, research, and service programs
• Ensure that high-quality teaching specimens are available for UCVM educational and research programs. Procure cadaveric materials from sources such as the necropsy lab, abattoirs, veterinary practices, and other suppliers. Prepare these specimens using appropriate dissection, embalming, and preservation techniques, and catalog them accurately for future use. Specimens are archived and documented for retrieval when needed
• Determine appropriate disposal methods for cadaveric materials after use in teaching or research. If applicable, set aside materials for secondary or tertiary use in other labs or research programs
• Maintain an accurate and up-to-date inventory of specimens to ensure the availability of materials when needed. Regularly review the specimen collections and monitor inventory levels
• Under the direction of a veterinarian, may assist with handling live domestic and farm animals for exams or euthanasia, ensuring the welfare of the animals and compliance with ethical and safety standards
• Support UCVM's relationships with external partners by preparing specimens for external organizations when resources permit
• Contributes to the creation of preserved anatomical and pathological specimens for long-term educational use
• Provide effective support and guidance to DVM students, enhancing their learning experience during labs, to ensure proper techniques and safety practices
• Procures, prepares, catalogues, and archives suitable teaching specimens (including off campus collection where appropriate). Specimen preparation includes a variety of dissection, embalming and preservation techniques
• Procures cadaveric materials from the necropsy lab, abattoirs, veterinary practices, and other suppliers in support of UCVM teaching, research, and service activities
• Assist in general laboratory maintenance, including ensuring that supplies are stocked in the laboratory and that requirements to order new supplies are communicated as required
• Contributes to the University hazard assessment process and works continuously to decrease risks through the application of safe work practices and protocols
• Communicates effectively and professionally (timely, courteous, etc.) with UCVM personnel, other University staff, and external organizations

Qualifications / Requirements

• An undergraduate degree or diploma in a relevant discipline (e.g., Veterinary Technician, Animal Science, Biology) is required. Equivalent combinations of education and experience may also be considered
• Sound knowledge of sanitation and disinfection principles is required to maintain a safe and hygienic work environment required
• Experience in the use and basic maintenance of a variety of laboratory equipment and audio-visual tools is required. Familiarity with WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) and biosafety protocols is also necessary
• The ability to perform physically demanding work, including heavy lifting (e.g., large animal handling equipment), is required. A Physical Demands Analysis is available for reference
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and build professional relationships with faculty members, students, and the external veterinary community. Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism are essential. Ability to work independently is also required
• A willingness and ability to work with cadaveric materials, including animal cadavers, tissues, and bodily fluids, is required
• Previous experience working or training in an animal industry or veterinary environment is considered an asset
• Knowledge of comparative anatomy, clinical pathology, medical terminology, experience with dissection instruments, equipment, supplies, and procedures used in a post-mortem laboratory is considered an asset
• A valid full Class 5 Driver's License is required. The ability to operate a truck and stock trailer to transport large animals to the teaching facility, as well as the safe loading and unloading of livestock, is considered an asset
• Proficiency in a variety of software applications, including MS Office, PeopleSoft, and general internet applications, is required. Experience with D2L (Desire2Learn) or other educational software, as well as Photoshop, is considered an asset
• Previous experience in comparative or veterinary anatomical instruction is beneficial, with preference given to candidates with experience in animal dissection, pathology, and clinical pathology
• A working knowledge of veterinary anatomy and pathology, or a demonstrated interest in learning such material relevant to a professional medical training program, is considered an asset
• Experience in the shipping and handling of dangerous goods, including biohazardous materials, is an asset. Additional training in WHMIS and biosafety protocols is highly preferred

Application Deadline

October 6, 2026

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website.

About The University Of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

The university's commitment to the Indigenous Strategy is evident through the oversight of 18 Elders serving on the Circle of Advisors and the many unit-based circles working towards implementation of the strategy including the Faculty Advisory Circle and teams such as the Office of Indigenous Engagement, the Writing Symbols Lodge, and the Indigenous Research Support Team. Many Indigenous-based events and processes are impacting curriculum, programming and polices at the University of Calgary.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to People & Culture ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role.

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.