Surgical Technician

The Jackson Laboratory; Ellsworth (ME); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

AALAS Certification Support

Job summary

The Jackson Laboratory is seeking a Surgical Technician to support perioperative care and surgical procedures in mice. Training is provided; prior surgical experience is not required.

The role involves anesthesia, dosing, vitals, and meticulous record-keeping, with opportunities to pursue AALAS certifications, including ALAT, LAT, and LATG. Ideal candidates have experience with laboratory rodents, strong attention to detail, and a collaborative, adaptable mindset suitable for a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Experience with laboratory rodents and basic survival surgical procedures on mice using a microscope.
• Aseptic technique training or experience desired; ability to maintain sterile field.
• Proven ability to prioritize, document accurately, and communicate with team.

Responsibilities

• Perform perioperative tasks: prep health assessments, anesthesia, dosing, vitals, recovery, and record-keeping.
• Provide surgical support: post-operative care, area sanitation, equipment maintenance, and mouse packing for shipment.
• Assist with minor procedures and ongoing skill development.
• Support additional duties as needed.

Skills

Laboratory rodents

Aseptic surgery basics

Microscope-based procedures

Team collaboration

Detail-oriented

MS Office (Outlook/Teams/Word/Excel)

Flexible schedule (weekends/holidays)

Animal handling

Proactive learning

Education

BS in Animal Science or related field

1 year experience with rodents (or high school diploma+1 year)

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Are you interested in building a career in animal science or biomedical research? Our Surgical Technician position offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a supportive and dynamic environment. Prior surgical experience is not required-we provide comprehensive training to help you develop the skills needed to perform surgical procedures in mice and contribute to essential surgical support tasks.

This is a great opportunity for individuals with experience or interest in veterinary technology, animal care, or laboratory research who are ready to take the next step in a specialized, impactful role. We also support professional development through certification with the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS), including ALAT, LAT, and LATG.

What You’ll Do

As a Surgical Technician, you’ll be responsible for:

• Performing perioperative tasks including:
  • Pre-operative health assessments
  • Safe and effective anesthesia administration
  • Accurate medication dosing and documentation
  • Monitoring intra-operative vitals
  • Ensuring smooth anesthetic recovery
  • Maintaining complete and consistent surgical records
• Providing surgical support through:
  • Post-operative animal assessment and treatment
  • Stocking and sanitizing surgical areas
  • Equipment maintenance and basic husbandry
  • Packing mice for shipment to customers
• Performing minor surgical procedures such as incision repair
• Continuously developing your surgical skills
• Supporting additional duties as needed

What You Bring

We’re looking for someone with:

• Experience working with laboratory rodents
• Ability to learn to aseptically perform basic survival surgical procedures on mice using a microscope
• Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate across various levels of the organization
• A positive attitude and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel
• Flexibility to work rotating weekends/holidays and occasional travel
• Confidence in animal handling and performing a variety of biomethods
• Exceptional attention to detail and consistency
• Ability to prioritize tasks and communicate effectively with your team
• A proactive mindset for learning and skill development
• Knowledge of animal anatomy and physiology, typically acquired through:
  • A BS degree in Animal Science or a related field, or
  • A high school diploma and at least 1 year of experience working with rodents

About JAX:

The Jackson Laboratory is an independent, nonprofit biomedical research institution with a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center and nearly 3,000 employees in locations across the United States (Maine, Connecticut, California),Japan andChina. Its mission is to discover precise genomic solutions for disease and empower the global biomedical community in the shared quest to improve human health.

Founded in 1929, JAX applies over nine decades of expertise in genetics to increase understanding of human disease, advancing treatments and cures for cancer, neurological and immune disorders, diabetes, aging and heart disease. It models and interprets genomic complexity, integrates basic research with clinical application, educates current and future scientists, and provides critical data, tools and services to the global biomedical community. For more information, please visit www.jax.org.

EEO Statement:

The Jackson Laboratory provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment in all job classifications without regard to race, color, religion, age, mental disability, physical disability, medical condition, gender, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, marital status, national origin, veteran status, and other classifications protected by applicable state and local non-discrimination laws.