Surgical Associate

CBSET; Lexington, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 73,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

CBSET in Lexington, MA, with relocation to Waltham, MA, seeks an experienced Surgical Associate to lead model development across species and perform surgical procedures for nonclinical studies. You will interact with clients to ensure quality outcomes and support training to grow capabilities.

The role requires familiarity with IACUC, FDA-regulated study requirements, and strong surgical and anesthesia skills to support the company’s expansion and education goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in biology, veterinary science or related field.
• Minimum of two years’ hands-on surgical experience in an academic or regulatory nonclinical environment.
• Credibility with clients and leadership on complex, technically demanding programs.
• Driver’s license and veterinary technician certification (CVT/LVT or SRS/SRT) required.

Responsibilities

• Routinely perform surgical procedures and assist surgeons as needed.
• Understand multi-species procedures including wound models and device placements.
• Generate surgical documentation for GLP-compliant studies with study-specific data.
• Perform imaging procedures and data analysis for clinical imaging modalities.
• Document deviations, manage quality control and proper sample coordination.
• Manage anesthesia, pre- and post-operative care and restock OR supplies.
• Mentor technicians, lead training events and drive growth opportunities.

Skills

Surgical experience

Client credibility

Communication skills

Mentoring/teaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/veterinary-related field

CVT/LVT or SRS/SRT certification

Tools

Anesthesia management

Surgical documentation

Job description

REPORTS TO: Department Management

LOCATION: Lexington, MA/moving to Waltham, MA Q1 2027 (on-site)

POSITION SUMMARY:

CBSET is seeking an experienced Surgical Associate to expand our surgical service offerings and support the growth of the Research & Innovation/Applied Sciences Department as well as company expansion. In this role, the Surgical Associate will be expected to initiate and lead model development projects in multiple species, as well as work closely with our clients to perform surgical procedures for nonclinical studies. The ideal candidate will have familiarity with IACUC requirements, current clinical surgical standards and FDA-regulated medical device study requirements.

In this client-facing position, you will have the opportunity to work alongside some of our industry’s best surgeons and visiting physicians. We are committed to providing our clients with exceptional surgical services and supporting the education and career growth of our employees.

Salary range is: $73,195 – $90,000/year. (Please note, salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, and certifications.)

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & REQUIREMENTS:

Technical:

• Routinely perform surgical procedures and assist surgeon/interventionalists as needed.
• Understand surgical procedures across multiple specialties and therapeutic models, including: Suturing and advanced wound closure techniques, wound creation and wound healing models, device placements, and minimally invasive and open procedures.
• Generate surgical documentation to enable quality data and GLP compliance for complex surgical procedures with study specific data requirements.
• Perform complex imaging procedures and data analysis for clinical imaging modalities (e.g., fluoro/ CT spin, CT, PET/CT, MRI).
• Document deviations and incidents with minimal supervision and submit data in a timely manner.
• Perform quality control on assigned studies ensuring proper documentation, coordination of sample collection and procedural documentation of complications, and test article control related effects.
• Perform anesthetic management, pre- and post-operative care and dose administration, prepare surgical packs, and restock the operating room/order supplies.

Interpersonal:

• Demonstrate exceptional oral and written communication skills and work effectively in fast paced, customer service-oriented environment as a team member.
• Pay attention to detail.
• Remain calm under pressure.
• Use clear communication with surgeons, physicians and OR team members.
• Collaborate with the team.
• Mentor peers and provide training to technicians.
• Lead training events, bring new surgical techniques in-house and explore opportunities to enable future growth of business and surgical/procedure skills.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Technical Consultation & Capability Development:

• Serve as a technical liaison in client interactions to improve and support capacity.
• Advise leadership on emerging scientific and technical trends relevant to CBSET’s service lines
• Establish, manage, and develop technical skills as the business grows and requires them, providing technical mentorship and pursuit-support guidance.
• Create and maintain knowledge bridges between operational departments and commercial functions, driving mutual understanding between sales, capabilities and operations functions.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (BS) in biology, veterinary science or a related scientific field.
• Minimum of two years’ hands-on surgical experience in an academic or regulatory nonclinical environment.
• Demonstrated credibility with clients and leadership on complex, technically demanding programs.
• Driver’s license.
• Certification/licensure as a veterinary technician (CVT/LVT) or through the Academy of Surgical Research (SRS or SRT) is required.

Preferred:

• Prior experience translating technical/scientific expertise into the role and supporting the growth, business, and training strategy.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Technical authority: recognized scientific and technical credibility that clients and internal teams trust on complex programs.
• Collaborative influence: using knowledge and experience to perform, teach and influence not only in the operating room but also as a professional role model.
• Strategic pattern recognition: identification of which technically complex opportunities are worth pursuing and why.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Must be able to perform laboratory procedures, which require talking, hearing, standing or sitting for long periods of time, entering data into a computer, using appropriate instruments, reaching with hands and arms, working in narrow spaces, and wearing safety equipment (Personal Protective Equipment) according to OSHA regulations and company standards.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to consistently lift and move at least 50 pounds.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Animal facility and laboratories with moderate noise possible.
• Office working environment with quiet noise conditions.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position may require occasional domestic travel or performing duties on weekends and/or holidays.
• The opportunity to be a part of a surgical team, new surgical opportunities and support the company’s growth and development.

All employees are required to satisfactorily perform the essential duties and responsibilities of their position. The essential duties and responsibilities listed above are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.