Rodent Research Technician - Level 2

Vivo Consulting; Fergus; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

Team-oriented work atmosphere

Benefits package

Job summary

Vivo Consulting in Fergus, Ontario, is seeking a Research Technician II to assist in performing in vivo study procedures within the Rodent Department. The ideal candidate will possess a veterinary diploma or a B.Sc. degree in a relevant field, with at least 2 years of experience. Responsibilities include documenting experimental details, administering drugs, and ensuring animal welfare. Work in a team-oriented environment offers competitive wages and benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 2 years of direct experience in a relevant field.
• CALAS RLAT certification encouraged.
• Experience handling confidential laboratory and scientific data.

Responsibilities

• Assist and perform in vivo study procedures.
• Record and document experimental details accurately.
• Administer drugs and collect blood samples.
• Participate in maintaining animal facility standards.

Skills

Animal handling

Good Documentation Practice

Chemical safety

Team collaboration

Communication

Education

Veterinary diploma or B.Sc. in a relevant field

Tools

Pipettes

Balances

Surgical instruments

Job description

Transpharmation is a dynamic preclinical contract research organization that specializes in high-quality, translational drug discovery services. The company provides a friendly and team-oriented work atmosphere as well as competitive wages and benefits.

The Research Technician II (“RT II”) will have a solid understanding of the roles and responsibilities within the company and within research studies, and will be able to perform a majority of the procedures at Transpharmation Canada within the Rodent Department, following study protocols with guidance from the Study Coordinator/Study Director/Scientific Director.

Key Activities

• Assist and perform assigned in vivo study procedures in the Rodent Department.
• Act as study personnel in OECD GLP studies.
• Record and document experimental details with a high level of integrity, ethics, and accuracy in adherence with Good Documentation Practice.
• Assist in the preparation of data summary reports, study-related data entry, and quality control.
• Perform study-related husbandry duties to ensure proper animal care practices according to CCAC guidelines and facility SOPs.
• Work within a team to ensure projects are successfully conducted and completed to a high level of quality and scientific competence.
• Participate in the maintenance of an adequate inventory of supplies.
• Assist the Rodent Department Manager in the maintenance and operation of the animal facility and husbandry in accordance with CCAC guidelines, the Animals for Research Act, and facility SOPs.
• Participate in internal working groups (e.g., animal care committee, health and safety).
• Demonstrate and/or train processes and techniques to new employees and visitors.
• Other duties as assigned.

Duties Associated with the Rodent Wing

• Operate centrifuges and perform advanced blood separation.
• Administer drugs (SC, IM, IP, IV, PO, interdermal, etc.).
• Collect survival blood (saphenous, tail snip, submandibular, catheter, etc.).
• Collect terminal blood, perform tissue/organ extraction and weighing.
• Provide anesthesia/analgesia in support of surgery and animal welfare.
• Perform euthanasia.
• Support seizure testing (MES, 6Hz, corneal kindling).
• Perform pain testing (Von Frey, acetone drop, tail flick, formalin).
• Conduct behavioral and cognitive testing (LMA, rotarod, grip strength, core body temperature, water maze, etc.).
• Operate operant training and testing as scheduled by the Study Coordinator.
• Create basic graphs from experimental results.
• Monitor and analyze data (means, standard error, median, interquartile range).
• Other duties as deemed necessary.

Interaction

This position requires coordination of resources (equipment, supplies) with other Research Technicians, Animal Care Technicians, and Study Coordinators, and the ability to learn new skills, teach them efficiently, and maintain a high level of integrity.

Communication

Communications are with the Rodent Department Manager and/or Supervisor and other facility staff. Verbal communication is required to request instructions, report on activities, results, and challenges, and participate in planning and scheduling. Written communication is required for accurate and detailed recording of procedures, reporting results, and completing documentation. Reading and comprehension of written protocols and manuals are essential.

Working Conditions

Environment

Occasional periods of several hours per day may be exposed to noxious odors from diagnostic materials or samples, and there may be a need to work with chemicals in a controlled environment.

Risk to Health

Occasional exposure to small quantities of toxic irritant or corrosive chemicals, and exposure to freezers at –80°C while storing and retrieving materials.

Physical Demands

Standing, bending, twisting, lifting, carrying liquid containers, carrying boxes weighing up to 20 kg, and daily periods of keyboarding.

Physical Dexterity

Agility, accuracy, and consistency are required while handling precision instruments such as pipettes, balances, pH meters, and surgical instruments. Strong fine‑motor skills in fingers, hands, and arms.

Qualifications

Education

• Veterinary diploma or B.Sc. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry) and/or relevant equivalent with at least 2 years of direct experience.
• CALAS RLAT certification encouraged.

Experience

• Experience as a Research Technician I for at least 1 year or relevant experience.
• Experience within a laboratory environment.
• Experience handling confidential laboratory and scientific data.
• Experience executing administrative strategies.

Knowledge

• Basic principles of biology, immunology, and chemistry.
• Principles of safe handling of potentially pathogenic substances and contaminated materials.
• Familiarity with ISO 17025 (2017), OECD Principles on GLP, CCAC guidelines and policies, and the Animals for Research Act.