Senior Animal Specialist - Center for Discoverr & Innovation

John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center; Nutley (NJ); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Paid leave

Job summary

The Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) at Hackensack Meridian Health is seeking a Senior Animal Technician Specialist to conduct highly specialized experiments using small animal models (rodents and rabbits) of infection in BSL-2 and BSL-3 facilities, providing technical support for the ABLS-2/3 labs.

You will perform research operations, prepare pathogen cultures, assist in immune response analysis, and conduct assays (qPCR, ELISA, Western blot).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant science and experience in infectious diseases.
• Comprehensive knowledge in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
• Excellent organization and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are critical.
• FBI and CJIS Security Risk Assessment clearance required.
• Must retain clearance to work with Select Agents and be enrolled in the Select Agent Program.

Responsibilities

• Perform research and technical operations on projects involving bacterial, fungal, and viral pathogens.
• Prepare BSL-2 and BSL-3 pathogen cultures.
• Assist in analysis of host immune response using flow cytometry and immunological methods.
• Conduct assays such as real-time PCR, ELISA, and Western blots.
• Set up, maintain, sterilize, and decontaminate infection and lab equipment.
• Train new personnel in high containment lab practices and animal studies.
• Ensure staff training and adherence to CDI compliance standards and regulations.

Skills

Infectious diseases experience

Microbiology knowledge

Immunology knowledge

Molecular biology knowledge

Biochemistry knowledge

Excellent organizational skills

Excellent communication skills

FBI/CJIS clearance process

Select Agent Program clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant science

Job description

Overview

The Center for Discovery and Innovation- CDI was established by Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) as an academic basic and translational research enterprise to rapidly translate science innovation to the clinic and to improve outcomes for patients with cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease and other acute and chronic diseases. The CDI has grown rapidly since its origins in 2019, and now has 39 labs, 200+ scientists and allied personnel supported by 78 NIH and DoD grants and more than 87 other grants and contracts. Areas of expertise include genomics, epigenetics, drug resistance, stem cell biology, drug discovery, diagnostics and biomarker development, rheumatology and pharmacology.

Job Details

• Requisition # 2026-187929
• ShiftDay
• StatusFull Time with Benefits

Senior Animal Technician Specialist

Will be responsible for the conduct of highly specialized and technically complex experiments using small animal models (rodents and rabbits) of infection with various bio-safety level 2 and 3 pathogens and providing technical support for the BSL-3 Labs. Studies will be carried out in Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL-2) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL-3) facilities and focus on infections via aerosol, intranasal, intraperitoneal, intravenous intradermal and subcutaneous routes; intraperitoneal, intramuscular, subcutaneous and intravenous injections of rodents and other small animals with therapeutics and/or anesthesia; necropsy to isolate the organs; evaluate tissue burdens; isolation of single cell suspension from infected tissue.

Responsibilities

A day in the life of a Senior Animal Technician Specialist at Hackensack Meridian Health includes:

• Perform various research and technical operations relative to ongoing projects to bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens (Evaluation of therapeutics, development of novel diagnostics and studies in pathogenesis and virulence).
• Preparation of BSL-2 and BSL-3 pathogen cultures.
• Assist in analysis of host immune response using Flow cytometry and other immunological methods
• Perform other laboratory analytical assays such as real time PCR, ELISA and western blots.
• Set-up, maintain, sterilize, and decontaminate the devices for aerosol infection, homogenizer, and other equipment.
• Autoclave waste materials and clean biosafety cabinets and equipment.
• Train new personnel to work under high level biocontainment. This includes basic laboratory bench work and animal studies.
• Ensures that the staff are trained and evaluated on their knowledge of and adherence to compliance policies and procedures specific to their jobs.
• Understands and adheres to HMH CDI compliance standards.
• Keeps abreast of all pertinent federal and state regulations, laws and policies as they presently exist and as they change or are modified.

Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant science.
• Experience in infectious diseases.
• Comprehensive knowledge in Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.
• Excellent organization and record-keeping skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are critical.
• All candidates must enroll and be given clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Criminal Justice Information Services Division (CJIS) Security Risk Assessment.
• Must retain clearance to work with HHS Tier 1 Select Agents and be enrolled in the Select Agent Program Personnel Reliability Program.

Education, Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred

• CDC approved for work with select agents.
• Minimum of 4 years of experience in work with animal infection models under Biosafety level 3 containment.

Licenses And Certifications Preferred

• American Association for Laboratory Animal Science Management Certification.

Compensation

Minimum rate of $24.34 Hourly

HMH is committed to pay equity and transparency for our team members. The posted rate of pay in this job posting is a reasonable good faith estimate of the minimum base pay for this role at the time of posting in accordance with the New Jersey Pay Transparency Act and does not reflect the full value of our market-competitive total rewards package.

Job Duties

The starting rate of pay is provided for informational purposes only and is not a guarantee of a specific offer. Posted hourly rates may be stated as an annual salary in the offer and posted annual salaries may be stated as an hourly rate in the offer, depending on the level and nature of the job duties and credentials of the candidate. The base compensation determined at the time of the offer may be different than the posted rate of pay based on a number of non-discriminatory factors, including but not limited to:

• Labor Market Data: Compensation is benchmarked against market data to ensure competitiveness.
• Experience: Years of relevant work experience.
• Education and Certifications: Level of education attained, including specialized certifications, credentials, completed apprenticeship programs or advanced training.
• Skills: Demonstrated proficiency in relevant skills and competencies.
• Geographic Location: Cost of living and market rates for the specific location.
• Internal Equity: Compensation is determined in a manner consistent with compensation ranges for similar roles within the organization.
• Budget and Grant Funding: Departmental budgets and any grant funding associated with the job position may impact the pay that can be offered.

Some jobs may also be eligible for performance-based incentives, bonuses, or commissions not reflected in the starting rate. Certain positions may also be eligible for shift differentials for work performed on evening, night, or weekend shifts.

In addition to our compensation for full-time and part-time (20+ hours/week) job positions, HMH offers a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement benefits.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, refusal to submit to a genetic test or make available to an employer the results of a genetic test, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, national origin, nationality, ancestry, disability, marital status, liability for military service, or status as a protected veteran.

Our Network

Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) is a Mandatory Influenza Vaccination Facility