Laboratory Animal Technician II – Comparative Medicine

Washington University in St. Louis; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 23,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Vacation & sick time

Transit/metro pass

403(b) retirement plan

Wellness programs

Caregiver leave

Tuition remission

Job summary

Washington University in St. Louis is seeking an Animal Care Technician to deliver daily husbandry for multiple species, including enrichment and feeding. You will work with veterinary staff to monitor health and report concerns promptly, while ensuring strict waste handling and safety procedures.

The role involves room sanitation, adherence to SOPs, and potential hands-on training of junior technicians. Prior ALAT certifications and Purina training underpin the expected duties.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Animal Care Learning Program – Purina Institute.
• Animal Care Learning Program within 6 months – Purina Institute.
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) – American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS).
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) – within 2 years – AALAS.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily husbandry care for rabbits, non-human primates, canines and rodents.
• Sanitize and maintain rodent rooms according to schedule.
• Observe animals daily for illness and report findings to veterinary staff.
• Handle and dispose of hazardous wastes per SOP.
• Hands-on training of junior-level technicians as needed.

Skills

Biomedical Research

Heavy Lifting

Quality Care

SOP Writing

English Language

Education

Associate degree

Job description

Animal Care Technician

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide and document daily husbandry care to multiple species including rabbits, non-human primates, canines and rodents. Care includes the provision of feed, water, clean cages and enrichment.
• Sanitize and maintain rodent colony rooms according to schedule to include sweeping and mopping animal quarters and procedure rooms, disinfecting all areas in room, rotating animal cages, cleaning large equipment and stocking room supplies.
• Observe animals daily for clinical or behavioral signs of illness and provide treatments as directed by veterinary staff. Report findings to Supervisor, Facility Manager or DCM Veterinary staff in a timely fashion.
• Correctly handle and dispose of hazardous wastes according to standard operating procedures.
• Perform additional duties as required by supervisor/manager/department, which may include hands‑on training of junior‑level technicians.

Working Conditions:

Must be able to lift 30 lbs. and pass a pre‑employment physical exam. Appropriate vaccinations and hearing protection and other PPE are required through participation in the Occupational Health and Safety Program.

Job Location/Working Conditions:

• Requires extensive safety training.
• Alternative work schedules.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• High noise environment.
• Requires protective devices.
• Dust, dirt, grease or other disagreeable elements.
• Exposure to animals.

Physical Effort:

• Typically standing or walking.
• Typically bending, crouching, stooping.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Frequent lifting (30 lbs. or more).

Equipment:

• Lab/research equipment.
• Simple hand tools.
• Heavy equipment (buffers, mowers, forklift, etc.).

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Associate degree or combination of education and experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

The list below may include all acceptable certifications, professional licenses and issuers. More than one credential, certification or professional license may be required depending on the role.

• Animal Care Learning Program – Purina Institute
• Animal Care Learning Program within 6 months – Purina Institute
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) – American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) – within 2 years – American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS)

Work Experience:

No specific work experience is required for this position.

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

No additional education unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

Laboratory Animal Science (2 Years)

Skills:

Biomedical Research, English Language, Heavy Lifting, Quality Care, Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Writing

Grade: R05-H

Salary Range: $16.67 – $24.40 / HourlyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Benefits Statement:

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!
• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.

EEO Statement:

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity. It is the University's policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity or shared ancestry, color, national origin, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information. As a federal contractor, the university maintains affirmative action programs to implement its equal employment opportunity policy for individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, in accordance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (VEVRAA), as amended.

Tagged as: Life Sciences