Senior Research Animal Specialist

The General Hospital Corporation; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 31,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

The Ragon Institute at Mass General Brigham is seeking a Vivarium Specialist to oversee breeding services and daily care for laboratory animals in a state-of-the-art facility located in Cambridge. You will work under the supervision of the Vivarium Manager to support high-level research programs.

Responsibilities include coordinating colony maintenance, ensuring compliance with all regulations, and collaborating with veterinary staff and researchers to advance biomedical studies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate's degree in Animal Sciences preferred.
• 3–5 years animal care experience required.
• Knowledge of the Animal Welfare Act and related guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, and housing maintenance.
• Collaborate with researchers to implement animal research protocols.
• Ensure compliance with animal welfare regulations and institutional policies.
• Develop enrichment programs to enhance animal well-being.
• Maintain facilities and equipment in clean, operational condition.
• Train and mentor junior animal care technicians in handling and husbandry.
• Monitor health and identify potential issues within animal populations.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Research protocols

Animal welfare regulations

Leadership/mentoring

Communication

Physical aptitude

Education

Diploma or equivalent

Associate's degree in Animal Sciences or related field

Job description

Site: The General Hospital Corporation

Mass General Brigham relies on a wide range of professionals, including doctors, nurses, business people, tech experts, researchers, and systems analysts to advance our mission. As a not-for-profit, we support patient care, research, teaching, and community service, striving to provide exceptional care. We believe that high-performing teams drive groundbreaking medical discoveries and invite all applicants to join us and experience what it means to be part of Mass General Brigham.

Job Summary

Responsible for the care and well-being of laboratory animals used in scientific studies and experiments including overseeing the daily care of animals, ensuring compliance with animal welfare regulations, providing technical support to researchers, and mentoring junior staff.

Does this position require Patient Care? No

Essential Functions

• Provide daily care for laboratory animals, including feeding, watering, and maintaining clean and sanitary housing conditions.
• Collaborate with researchers to implement animal research protocols.
• Adhere to all relevant animal welfare regulations, institutional policies, and ethical guidelines for the use of laboratory animals in research.
• Develop and implement enrichment programs to enhance the mental and physical well-being of research animals.
• Maintain animal care facilities and equipment in a clean and operational condition.
• Train and mentor junior animal care technicians in proper animal handling, husbandry techniques, and research protocols.
• Implement health monitoring programs to identify and manage potential health concerns within animal populations.

Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma or Equivalent required or Associate's Degree Animal Sciences preferred or Associate's Degree Related Field of Study preferred

Can this role accept experience in lieu of a degree? No

Experience

Animal Care Experience 3-5 years required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Understanding of animal husbandry practices and experience in caring for a variety of laboratory animal species (e.g., mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs).
• Familiarity with research protocols and experimental procedures involving laboratory animals.
• Knowledge of animal welfare regulations, such as the Animal Welfare Act, and guidelines set by organizations.
• Leadership and mentoring skills to guide and support junior animal care staff.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with researchers, veterinary staff, and other team members.
• Physical ability to lift and move heavy equipment, cages, and animals when necessary.

Additional Job Details (if applicable)

The Ragon Institute is a highly unique, innovative, and collaborative research center at the forefront of biomedical science. Founded by Massachusetts General Hospital, MIT, and Harvard, the Ragon vision is a bold one: to harness the power of the immune system to prevent and cure human disease on a global scale. This vision is pursued and advanced every day by a group of highly motivated individuals. The Ragon Institute, at every level, depends upon collaboration, compassion, dedication, and innovation. It is a results-oriented organization that seeks people who not only embrace these values but who thrive in teams and want to work in a dynamic environment.

The Ragon Institute is seeking a skilled individual for a Vivarium Specialist position in the Ragon Institute. The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard is a located in the heart of Technology Square in Cambridge. The vivarium is a brand new, state of the art facility. Under the supervision of the Vivarium Manager (or Supervisor), the Vivarium Specialist is responsible for the breeding services within a high-level animal research program. Duties include:

• Coordinates and carries out multiple aspects of animal colony maintenance including but not limited to, breeding consultation with laboratory staff, setting up breeding pairs, pup checks, weans, identification, genotyping, filling breeding requests, detailed record keeping, and monthly mouse colony counts.
• Assists Vivarium management with ensuring adherence to all institutional, local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure proper animal care, health, and welfare.
• May help perform vivarium maintenance tasks on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis such as autoclaving, supply inventories, ordering, organization, shipping and receiving, working with vendors, and undertaking special projects as required.
• Contributes to unit goals by undertaking other duties as required.
• Liaise with, contribute, support, and provide data and information to the Veterinarian, Vivarium Managers and research staff.

Remote Type

Onsite

Work Location

600 Main Street

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Employee Type

Regular

Work Shift

Day (United States of America)

Pay Range

$22.60 - $29.01/Hourly

Grade

5

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