Lab Technician or Associate, Comparative Medicine (2 Year Contract)

amgen; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Lab Technician or Associate for a 2-year contract in Canada to support animal-based studies and vivarium operations. The role includes animal husbandry, health monitoring, and safe handling of rodents, with opportunities to develop proficiency in in vivo methods and laboratory procedures.

The candidate will collaborate with veterinarians and research staff, maintain documentation, and ensure compliance with biosecurity and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required; 2 years rodent handling if using Associate’s degree, or 4 years with HS diploma.
• RLAT/CALAS or RVT certifications preferred.
• Experience in a research vivarium environment and ability to follow study protocols.

Responsibilities

• Perform husbandry activities such as cage changing, cage wash, facility sanitation, and routine maintenance.
• Assist with veterinary health monitoring and triage as needed.
• Handle and restrain rodents safely and humanely.
• Support vivarium operations, including 5S, inventory management, and facility organization.
• Develop proficiency in in vivo methods and animal health care procedures as per study protocols.

Skills

On-call availability

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Follow procedures

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Associate’s degree + 2 years rodent handling

High school diploma + 4 years rodent handling

RLAT certification (CALAS)

RVT certification

Job description

Career Category

Scientific

Job Description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients

At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do.

Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. With our focus on four therapeutic areas –Oncology, Inflammation, General Medicine, and Rare Disease– we reach millions of patients each year. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline of medicines to treat cancer, heart disease, inflammatory conditions, rare diseases, and obesity and obesity-related conditions. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives.

Our award-winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

Lab Technician or Associate, Comparative Medicine (2 Year Contract)

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will support animal-based studies, husbandry, and vivarium operations while providing technical and laboratory support for in vivo research.

Responsibilities:

• Perform husbandry activities such as cage changing, cage wash, facility sanitation, and routine maintenance activities.
• Assist with veterinary health monitoring and triage activities as needed.
• Perform safe handling and restraint of rodents.
• Support vivarium operations, including 5S (Lean management), inventory management, and facility organization.
• Develop technical competence and proficiency in in vivo methods (e.g., dosing, sample collection, physiological monitoring) and laboratory procedures for animal models; apply these skills while following established study protocols and animal health care procedures.
• Collaborate with management, veterinarians, peers, and research partners to support vivarium operations and animal-based studies.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of biosecurity principles, including opportunistic disease transmission, prevention, and control.
• Recognize routine technical problems and recommend or implement solutions within established procedures, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to facility alarms following established procedures.
• Follow guidance documents, methods, and study protocols to support animal-based studies.
• Assist with planning and scheduling assigned daily work activities while appropriately prioritizing tasks within established priorities.
• Accurately complete data management and documentation in accordance with departmental and regulatory requirements.
• Establish effective working relationships within the team and actively participate in departmental and cross-functional activities.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients. The detail-oriented professional we seek is a great teammate with these qualifications.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree

OR

Associate’s degree and 2 years of laboratory rodent handling experience

OR

High school diploma / GED and 4 years of laboratory rodent handling experience

• Ability to provide occasional on-call coverage and work outside of regular business hours, including limited weekend and holiday coverage, as business needs require.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant Bachelor of Science
• RLAT certification through CALAS (Canadian Association for Laboratory Animal Science)
• Registered Veterinary Technologist/Technician (RVT)
• Experience working in a research environment with vivarium operations.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and established procedures while demonstrating sound judgement in routine situations.
• Ability to independently perform assigned responsibilities after training while seeking guidance for unfamiliar or complex situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills that contribute to a collaborative and respectful work environment.
• Demonstrated accountability, integrity, and ethical conduct in the performance of daily responsibilities.
• Candidate must be comfortable with regular lifting and/or moving of up to 20kg (50lb).

What you can expect from us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well-being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way.

The salary range for this position in Canada is $60,000 - $95,000 CAD.

In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers the following to staff on contract:

• An option of a comprehensive health benefits package, or an additional 10% “in lieu of benefits” allowance
• Award-winning time-off plans and annual company-wide shutdowns
• Flexible work models, including remote work arrangements, where possible
• Robust Learning and Development opportunities

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of diverse, ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease.

Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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Salary Range

72,922.35CAD -98,659.65CAD