LAB ANIMAL TECHNICIAN II

Sanford Burnham Prebys; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanford Burnham Prebys in San Diego seeks a Lab Animal Technician II to maintain breeding colonies and perform daily health checks on mice for multiple PIs/labs. The role supports vivarium operations, including cage changes and routine husbandry, under director supervision.

The position requires at least a high school diploma (associates or bachelor’s preferred) and two years of lab animal experience; AALAS certifications are a plus. On-site work in San Diego with strict SOP adherence.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma required; an associate or bachelor’s in biology/animal sciences preferred.
• Experience: Two years progressive lab animal experience required or equivalent.
• Certifications, Licenses, etc.: AALAS certifications (ALAT, LAT or LATG) or AHT preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintains breeding colonies for multiple PIs/labs and performs daily health checks.
• Performs cage changes and routine husbandry per SOPs; handles immunocompromised mice as needed.
• Records colony data and health findings; uses LabTracks for accurate documentation.
• Ensures welfare and adherence to AUFs, reports concerns to management or PI/lab contacts.

Skills

Attention to detail

Animal handling

Team collaboration

Microsoft Office

Communication

Education

High School diploma

Associates or Bachelor's in biology/animal sciences preferred

Tools

LabTracks

Microsoft Office

Job description

Sanford Burnham Prebys is much more than a research facility and hub for innovation; it’s a vibrant global community of talented scientists and researchers from over 30 countries. This worldwide representation enriches our perspectives and enhances our creative approach to solving complex scientific challenges.

We strive to be leaders not only in biomedical research but also in creating an environment where excellence thrives through collaboration across cultures and backgrounds. Our mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and make breakthrough discoveries that improve human health.

Together, we translate science into health.

The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Sanford Burnham Prebys is much more than a research facility and hub for innovation; it’s a vibrant global community of talented scientists and researchers from over 30 countries. This worldwide representation enriches our perspectives and enhances our creative approach to solving complex scientific challenges.

We strive to be leaders not only in biomedical research but also in creating an environment where excellence thrives through collaboration across cultures and backgrounds. Our mission is to advance the biomedical sciences by cultivating the next generation of scientific leaders, providing meaningful opportunities for researchers of all backgrounds to learn, innovate, and make breakthrough discoveries that improve human health.

Together, we translate science into health.

The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Position Summary

Under direct supervision from the Breeding Colony Manager, the Lab Animal Technician II will be responsible for maintaining research laboratory mouse breeding colonies for multiple PIs/labs. Generally, the LAT II is responsible for breeding colony maintenance procedures for approximately 500-800 cages, including some cage changing. In addition, the technician may assist researchers with laboratory procedures as requested.This position involves a range of tasks and functions that are typically essential to continue critical vivarium operations.

Duties and Responsibilities

All tasks are performed according to institute and industry SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Husbandry:

• Changes cages when needed, (based on the assigned workload), per the AF Husbandry SOPs.
• May perform husbandry for immunocompromised mice that require sterile caging, food, water and bedding.
• May perform husbandry work in viral vector BSL-2 (Biosafety Level 2) or Quarantine animal areas.
• May be assigned husbandry work in BSL-2 infectious viral or bacterial containment animal study areas.
• May be assigned work with mice in Specific Pathogen Free rooms.

Breeding Colony Maintenance:

• Performs breeding colony maintenance procedures for multiple PIs.
• Completes daily animal health checks; observes general health condition of each animal assigned under technician’s care. Observations include a daily check of each cage for adequate food and water, and animal health observations for pregnant animals, new litters and for signs of distress, illness, or injury due to phenotype expression or experimental procedures.
• Completes and distributes health status forms to labs (e.g. sick mice, found dead).
• Breeding colony maintenance procedures include mating mice, timed mating with vaginal sperm plug check, weaning litters, ear notching mice, and collecting tail snips for genotyping purposes.
• Expertise in LabTracks database management is required to maintain up-to-date and accurate breeding colony records.
• Direct communication with research PI/lab contacts regarding colony maintenance requests and health findings (breeding production, non-productive breeders, sick or found dead animals).
• Updates researchers on the workflow status of their breeding colony maintenance procedure requests in a timely manner.
• Reports health concerns to the Attending Veterinarian, Manager or Animal Health Coordinator and research PI/lab contact, for guidance on treatment or euthanasia.
• Determines course of actions concerning animal welfare, including euthanasia, in absence of direct orders by other lab staff members
• Treats animals for routine conditions such as dermatitis or abrasions caused by aggressive behavior.
• Separates aggressive animals and provides additional cage enrichment materials.
• Reads the Animal Use Protocols (AUFs) to become familiar with research projects
  • Notes authorized users, mouse lines and crosses associated with AUF.
  • Documents special care requirements for colonies under technician’s care (e.g., diets and food supplements with start and end dates).
• Maintains animal and cage census and ensures appropriate per diem rate is applied to each census record.
• May perform technical procedures on animals as stated in the animal protocol (AUF), including blood collection, injection of materials (IV, IP, IM, SC), or oral dosing of drugs and compounds.
• May assist Manager with cross training the LAT I staff on room and animal health checks, mating mice, timed mating/vaginal plug check, weaning litters, tail biopsy, and LabTracks database entry.
• Perform other related tasks, duties and responsibilities as required, assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: High School diploma required. An Associates or Bachelor’s degree in biology or animal sciences preferred.

Experience: Two (2) years progressive lab animal experience required or equivalent education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained

Certifications, Licenses, etc.: None required. AALAS certifications (ALAT, LAT or LATG) or AHT preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities

• Possess a demonstrated interest in the humane care, management, and utilization of animals in a research setting Proficiency in handling and restraint of laboratory rodents.
• Knowledge of animal health, disease control/prevention, and technical procedures gained through combination of education, training and practical hands-on experience
• Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of common laboratory rodent diseases, and identification of conditions which may result from research procedures
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible, organized, and a problem solver
• Possess strong attention to detail, analytical, time management, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Direct: None
• Indirect: None

Work Environment

This role is an on-site job in our Vivariums. The vivarium is a specialized facility designed for the housing and care of laboratory animals, providing a controlled environment that ensures their health and well-being. This space is equipped with state-of-the-art housing units, environmental monitoring systems, and veterinary care areas. The vivarium maintains strict adherence to ethical guidelines and regulatory standards to promote humane treatment. Staff are required to follow established protocols for animal handling, care, and record-keeping to ensure compliance and safety, as well as use protective equipment.

The vivarium environment is characterized by its clean and organized layout, designed for efficiency and ease of access to animal habitats. However, some requirements are as follows:

Working around equipment & machinery, exposure to excessive noises, extreme temperatures, humidity or wetness, exposure to animal dander, dust particles, gas, fumes or chemicals, working occasionally at heights (step ladder), and working with biohazards.

Work Schedule

• Ability to work one of the defined work schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30 Monday through Friday
• Willing to work overtime if necessary to maintain integrity of a research protocol
• Able and willing to work on weekends and holidays on a rotating basis

Physical Requirements

Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare).

Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles. Working in a vivarium involves specific physical capabilities, including:

• Sitting, Standing and Walking: Ability to sit and walk for occasional (up to 3 hrs) periods and move around the facility to attend to animal needs and maintenance. Standing is more frequent (up to 6 hrs).
• Lifting and Carrying: Capability to occasionally lift and/or carry items up to 50 pounds alone or as part of a team.
• Manual Dexterity: Using your hands for simple grasping items may be required frequently during the workday, while power grasping, reaching, pushing/pulling and fine manipulation is required occasionally during the workday.
• Repetitive Motions: Frequent repetitive use of hands for tasks involved with animal care such as feeding, cage changing and animal health checks; and animal holding room and procedure room janitorial tasks, as well as keyboarding.
• Bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, crawling & twisting: Movement of this kind may occur occasionally during the work day.
• Visual Acuity: Ability to observe animal behavior and health, distinguishing subtle changes that may indicate issues.

Work Location

This is an onsite position; candidates must be willing to work onsite in San Diego. Out-of-state applicants must disclose their willingness to relocate.

Compensation

The expected hiring range for this position is $22.21-$27/hour commensurate with experience.

We welcome talented individuals of all backgrounds regardless of gender, sex, religion, race, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, perceived disability, pregnancy, pregnancy-related condition, reproductive health decisions, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS, marital status, covered veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations. We are proud to be an equal employment opportunity employer.

As part of this commitment, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations for the hiring process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our Benefits Team at [phone] or via e-mail [e-mail].