Animal Research Technician I

Charles River Laboratories, Inc.; North Olmsted (OH); Hybrid; USD 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid training program

Tuition reimbursement up to $20,000

401(k) with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

Charles River Laboratories, Inc. is hiring entry-level candidates for an Animal Care role in our Safety Assessment organization. No prior experience required; the paid training program starts immediately and you will learn animal handling, welfare, and data recording while supporting research activities.

The role involves early‑morning shifts, physical work, and potential overtime. Starting pay is $19–$20 per hour, with bi-weekly pay and opportunities for advancement within biotech and research.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED preferred.
• Associate or bachelor’s in biology or life science preferred.
• Interest in research, lab sciences, or animal care.

Responsibilities

• Receive structured paid training and learn animal handling.
• Ensure humane care and welfare of research animals.
• Perform handling, restraint, feeding, watering, and husbandry duties.
• Record study data and maintain accurate records.

Skills

Animal care

Safety compliance

Communication

Teamwork

Physical stamina

Education

High school diploma or GED

Biology or life science degree (preferred)

Job description

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For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Summary

Starting Pay: $19–$20/hour based on qualifications and experience

Start Your Career in Science – No Experience Needed!

Looking to break into the life sciences field? At Charles River, we’re hiring motivated individuals ready to learn and grow. You don’t need prior experience, just curiosity, a strong work ethic and a desire to be part of meaningful work.

Join our team and play a role in advancing research that helps bring life‑saving treatments to patients.

What You'll Do

• Through our structured, paid training program, you’ll build valuable, in-demand skills while working alongside a supportive team. You’ll:
• Ensure the humane care and welfare of research animals through positive human-animal interactions.
• Learn and perform animal handling, restraint, feeding, watering, and husbandry procedures for multiple species.
• Conduct clinical observations and monitor animal health and well-being.
• Measure body weights and monitor food consumption.
• Collect, document, review, and verify study data.
• Maintain accurate records using paper and electronic data systems.
• Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and instrumentation.
• Support study activities while following established quality and regulatory standards.

Job Qualifications

No Experience? No Problem.

We’re looking for potential—not perfection. If you have the following qualifications, we’ll train you on the rest:

• High school diploma or GED (preferred).
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in biology, Animal Science, or another life science discipline. (preferred).
• Interest in research, laboratory sciences, or animal care.
• Previous animal care or laboratory experience is helpful but not required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities.
• Commitment to animal welfare, safety, and quality standards.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Able to work a physical job that requires a lot of walking and standing and lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Fine motor skills for handling animals and performing procedures
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ability to work in a fast-paced research setting
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.
• Pay, Schedule & Training

The starting pay for this position is $19.00-$20.00 per hour, paid bi-weekly.

Paid Training (5–8 weeks):

Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM.

After Training Shift :

Monday–Fri | 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

This position requires overtime, weekend, holiday, and/or after-hour shift coverage, as needed.

Additional Pay Opportunities

+10% for shift differentials for evening and weekend shifts.

Why Start Your Career at Charles River?

• Paid training program designed for beginners.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $20,000 annually.
• Opportunities to grow into advanced technical or scientific roles.
• Learn skills that can launch a long-term career in biotech and research.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage. Effective on the first of the month following your date of hire.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Volunteer time off.
• Employee Assistance Programs.

If you’re ready to learn, grow, and make a difference, This is Your Moment.

About Safety Assessment
Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the‑art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well‑being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position these may include: bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.

Charles River Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer - all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e‑mail message to [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.

Nearest Major Market: Lima
Nearest Secondary Market: Findlay
Job Segment: Pharmaceutical, Laboratory, Animal Health, Toxicology, Research, Science, Veterinary