Preclinical Veterinary Technician, Large Animal

Pharmaron; Carlsbad (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance

401(k) Retirement Plan with matching

Paid Time Off & Holidays

HSA contributions

Life Insurance

Wellness programs

Job summary

Pharmaron seeks a Preclinical Veterinary Technician, Large Animal, to join its on-site Carlsbad team. The role supports complex large animal surgeries and translational research, working with vets, surgeons, and study teams to advance medical devices and therapies.

At Pharmaron, you will contribute to GLP-compliant studies, maintain records, and participate in cross-functional collaboration in a fast-paced CRO environment. On-site position with competitive hourly pay.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, or related discipline preferred.
• 1–5+ years in veterinary medicine, preclinical research, or related field.
• RVT certification is a plus.
• Experience with large animal surgery or research studies preferred.
• Knowledge of GLP regulations, lab animal medicine, and translational research environments preferred.
• Experience in CRO/academic/biotech environments a plus.
• Strong technical, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment with multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Support large animal surgical procedures and preclinical studies evaluating medical devices and translational therapies.
• Provide perioperative support before, during, and after surgery.
• Monitor anesthesia and physiological parameters during procedures and recovery.
• Administer test articles via multiple routes (oral gavage, SQ, IV, dermal, etc.).
• Collect biological specimens from laboratory animals.
• Maintain aseptic technique and ensure protocol compliance.
• Perform daily animal observations and monitor post-operative recovery.

Skills

Veterinary tech

Surgical support

GLP knowledge

Communication

Education

Associate degree in Veterinary Technology

RVT certification (plus)

Job description

Position:

Preclinical Veterinary Technician, Large Animal

Pay Rate:

$25 - $35 /hr (DOE)

Location:

Carlsbad, CA (On-site)

About Pharmaron

Pharmaron is a global contract research and manufacturing organization (CRO/CDMO) helping pharma and biotech companies bring new therapies to life. With over 25,000 employees worldwide across 28 locations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore, we support drug discovery through to manufacturing with fully integrated high-quality services.

We're proud of the impact we make and just last year, we supported 887 discovery projects, 1,100+ CMC programs, and 1,397 clinical trials across all phases. Our teams are involved in everything from small molecules, ADC's, biologics, and gene therapies and we work with more than 3,300 global customers. To learn more, visit www.pharmaron.com.

Job Overview

Join Pharmaron's Medical Device team as a Preclinical Veterinary Technician and play a hands-on role in advancing next-generation medical devices and therapies through large animal translational research.

Working alongside experienced veterinarians, surgeons, scientists, and study teams, you'll support complex surgical procedures, anesthesia, in vivo studies, and preclinical research that directly contributes to bringing innovative medical technologies closer to clinical application. This is an exceptional opportunity for veterinary technicians who are passionate about surgery, anesthesia, and research and are looking to expand their technical expertise beyond traditional clinical practice.

Responsibilities

In Vivo & Surgical Support

• Support complex large animal surgical procedures and preclinical studies evaluating innovative medical devices and translational therapies.
• Provide perioperative support before, during, and after surgical procedures.
• Monitor anesthesia and physiological parameters throughout surgical procedures and recovery.
• Administer test articles through multiple routes, including oral gavage, subcutaneous (SQ), intravenous (IV), dermal, and other study-specific techniques.
• Collect biological specimens, including blood and other tissues, from laboratory animal species.
• Perform technical procedures including:
• Catheter placement
• Endotracheal intubation
• Venous and arterial line placement
• Surgical incision and wound creation
• Biopsy collection
• Tissue collection
• Necropsy procedures
• Maintain aseptic surgical technique and ensure compliance with study protocols throughout all procedures.
• Perform daily animal observations and monitor post-operative recovery and overall animal health.

Study Operations & Compliance

• Execute study activities in compliance with GLP regulations, study protocols, SOPs, and company policies.
• Prepare surgical suites, procedure rooms, study materials, and collection supplies.
• Maintain accurate study documentation and research records.
• Review study documentation for quality, accuracy, and protocol compliance.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through refinement of procedures and operational processes.
• Assist with internal research initiatives and new technology evaluations.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate daily with veterinarians, surgeons, Study Directors, Principal Investigators, scientists, Quality Assurance, and operational teams.
• Support multidisciplinary research teams to ensure successful study execution and timely project completion.
• Foster a collaborative, flexible, and science-driven research environment.

What We're Looking For

• Associate degree in Veterinary Technology, Animal Science, or a related scientific discipline preferred.
• 1–5+ years of experience in veterinary medicine, preclinical research, laboratory animal science, surgery, emergency/critical care, or a related technical field.
• Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) certification is a plus.
• Experience supporting large animal surgical procedures or research studies is preferred.
• Experience monitoring anesthesia and perioperative care in large animals is highly desirable.
• Working knowledge of GLP regulations, laboratory animal medicine, and translational research environments preferred.
• Experience working within a CRO, academic research institution, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device environment is a plus.
• Strong technical, organizational, communication, and documentation skills.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced research environment while managing multiple priorities.

Why Pharmaron?

Pharmaron is a premier service provider for the life sciences industry. Founded in 2004, Pharmaron has invested in its people and facilities and established a broad spectrum of research, development, and manufacturing service capabilities throughout the entire drug discovery, preclinical, and clinical development process across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, biologics, and CGT products.

With over 25,000 employees and operations in the US, UK, China, and Singapore. Pharmaron has an excellent track record in delivering R&D solutions to its partners in North America, Europe, Japan, and China.

Collaborative Culture

You will thrive in our inclusive and collaborative environment, where teamwork and innovation go hand in hand. Here, your voice matters, and your contributions make a real impact. "Employees Number One" and "Clients Centered" are the core cultural values at Pharmaron. Our culture, which sets Pharmaron apart from other organizations, has evolved from our deep commitment to our employees, partners, and collaborators.

Benefits

As part of our commitment to your well-being, we offer a comprehensive benefits package:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance with significant employer contributions
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with generous employer matching
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave & Company Holidays to support work-life balance
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions (for eligible plans), plus Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 100% Employer-paid Employee Life Insurance, AD&D, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), mental health resources, and wellness programs
• Family-friendly benefits, including fertility support and maternity resources
• Professional development and career growth opportunities within a leading global CRO/CDMO

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer, Pharmaron values diversity and inclusion in the workplace, fostering an environment where all individuals are empowered to succeed. Join us in our mission to make a difference in the world of life sciences.

Salary: $25 - $35 per hour