Lab Animal Technician I — Humane Care & Cage Operations

University of Louisville; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 20,664,000 - 26,174,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Louisville's Comparative Medical Research Unit is seeking a Lab Animal Technician I to support husbandry and cagewash operations for humane animal care. This training position offers an outstanding career opportunity with potential for advancement.

The role includes daily health observations, nutrition/water management, humane animal handling, clean/enriched housing, aseptic cage changes, and adherence to safety guidelines for biohazards and chemicals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED and one or more years of work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Must pass criminal background check and pre-employment physical.

Responsibilities

• Perform daily health observations on a variety of species and report accurate descriptions to veterinary staff.
• Provide nutrition and water management for diverse research models.
• Handle animals safely and humanely to ensure both animal and technician safety.
• Maintain clean and enriched living environments for all animals.
• Change cages using aseptic techniques in rodent housing areas and clean large animal pens.
• Work with animals treated with biohazards and/or chemical hazards per safety guidelines.
• Meet enrichment requirements and assist veterinary staff with medical treatments.
• Gain basic knowledge of rodent colony management and report regulatory inconsistencies.
• Utilize PPE and properly assemble and sanitize cage systems.
• Learn basic operation of tunnel washers, rack washers, and autoclaves.
• Perform mechanical wash and sterilization of equipment and identify failures.
• Maintain automatic watering systems.
• Work weekends and holidays as assigned.

Skills

Animal care

Health observations

Safe handling

Cage changes

Husbandry

Biohazard safety

PPE proficiency

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

Autoclaves

Tunnel washers

Rack washers

Job description

University of Louisville's Comparative Medical Research Unit is seeking a Lab Animal Technician I to support husbandry and cagewash operations for humane animal care. This training position offers an outstanding career opportunity with potential for advancement.

The role includes daily health observations, nutrition/water management, humane animal handling, clean/enriched housing, aseptic cage changes, and adherence to safety guidelines for biohazards and chemicals.