Laboratory Animal Care Supervisor - Comparative Medicine Services

Tufts University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 74,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Tufts University’s Comparative Medicine Services (CMS) seeks a Supervisor to manage the day‑to‑day operations of CMS animal facilities in Boston, ensure animal husbandry quality, maintain equipment, and supervise 16–21 animal care staff while supporting policy development for the Husbandry and Facility Operations section.

Knowledge of animal research regulations is required, with LAT or LATG certification pursued within 1 year; an Associate’s Degree with 1–3 years supervisory experience is

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree with 1–3 years supervisory experience.
• Experience in a research support environment and regulations governing animal research.
• LAT or LATG certification within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of CMS animal facilities in Boston.
• Supervise 16–21 animal care staff and oversee staffing schedules and performance.
• Develop and implement SOPs for animal husbandry and facility operations.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Knowledge of regulations

Education

Associate's Degree

LAT/LATG certification

Bachelor's Degree (preferred)

Job description

Overview

The Office of University Research and Innovation (OURI) advances Tufts University's research, scholarship, and innovation enterprise by providing high-quality services and strategic support to faculty, research staff, and students; strengthening the University's capacity to secure external funding; fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; and safeguarding Tufts' institutional interests through effective oversight, stewardship, and regulatory compliance. Working in close partnership with University leadership, academic and administrative units, and external collaborators, OURI develops and supports strategic initiatives that enhance research excellence, expand institutional capabilities, and position Tufts for continued growth and impact. The Office also helps translate research discoveries and intellectual property into societal and economic benefit through commercialization, startup formation, industry engagement, and strategic partnerships. OURI's responsibilities span the full research and innovation lifecycle, including pre-award administration of grants and contracts; research development and support for proposal preparation, funding strategies, and strategic research initiatives; protection, management, and licensing of University intellectual property; and oversight of research involving human participants, animals, and hazardous materials. OURI also provides leadership in environmental health and safety and supports institutional compliance and risk management in areas including conflicts of interest, research security and export controls, research integrity, and applicable federal, state, and University requirements. Through these interconnected functions, OURI provides the infrastructure, expertise, and institutional stewardship necessary to support a research environment in which scholarship, discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible research practices can thrive.

Tufts Comparative Medicine Services (CMS) provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research using laboratory animals at Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center in Boston and Tufts University in Medford. CMS is also obligated to ensure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The management and operation of the animal care activities of all sites are integral to the animal care and use program. All centralized facilities are located within a 2-block radius, either in Boston or Medford, housing 25,000 animals daily.

What You'll Do

The Supervisor, under the supervision of the Manager, will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of CMS' animal facilities, including maintaining equipment such as cagewashers, tunnelwashers, autoclaves, vacuum system, etc. In addition, this position is responsible for supervising 16-21 animal care staff employees and assisting in the development and implementation of all policies pertaining to the Husbandry and Facility Operations section of CMS.

Supervisory

• Make work schedules, evaluate and adjust work assignments.
• Hiring, performance evaluation, disciplinary action.
• Directly supervise 16-21 animal caretakers.
• Assists with the development and oversight of the training program for animal care staff.
• Maintain equipment, such as cagewashers, tunnelwashers, autoclaves, vacuum system, etc.
• Problem solving.

Administration

• Develops departmental policies and procedures on animal husbandry service operations including written protocols (SOP's) for animal care, sanitation, facility operation, equipment and environmental monitoring.
• Assists in providing emergency coverage for animal facility operation.
• Performs census and provides data to business manager.

Husbandry and Animal Care

• Assists with the execution of disease control and treatment programs as directed by CMS' veterinary staff.
• Direct husbandry activities.

Training and Compliance Programs

• Assistance with training to technical and investigative staff.
• Assist with the monitoring of compliance to regulations governing the use of animals in research.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• Associate's Degree with a minimum of 1-3 years supervisory experience.
• Experience in a research support environment and regulations governing animal research and must have demonstrated productivity and effective interpersonal skills.
• AALAS Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or AALAS Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification within 1 year.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree with 3-5 years of experience and LATG certification.

Special Work Schedule Requirements

• Rotating on-call coverage for husbandry and facilities operations.
• This position is based on the Boston campus with periodic travel to the Medford campus. Travel is expected to be about once a month.
• Remote work is typically available one day per week, subject to workload and operational needs.

Pay Range

Minimum $74,000.00, Midpoint $92,500.00, Maximum $111,000.00

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.