Technician I, Histology (2nd shift)

Charles River Laboratories; Mattawan (MI); On-site; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Charles River Laboratories is seeking an entry‑level Technician 1 - Histology for the 2nd Shift Pathology Services Team in Mattawan, MI. The role trains in tissue handling, embedding, microtomy, staining, data documentation, and shipping under close supervision.

The position pays $20/hour with shift differential and runs Monday through Friday, 2:00 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. The job emphasizes animal welfare, teamwork, and adherence to quality standards within a GLP‑like lab setting.

Qualifications

• Education: High school diploma or GED; BA/BS in a biological science preferred.
• Experience: No previous experience required.

Responsibilities

• Perform tissue processing, embedding, sectioning and staining under supervision.
• Prepare testing equipment and assist with preventive maintenance.
• Accurately document data for pathologist review.
• Handle, process, and ship tissue samples as required by the department.
• Learn and apply anatomic terminology and maintain equipment.
• Support quality control and inventory procedures.

Skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

MS Office

Authorized to work in the US

Education

High school diploma or GED

BA/BS in biological science preferred

Tools

Validated systems

Job description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

We are seeking an experienced Technician 1 - Histology for our 2nd Shift Pathology Services Team in Mattawan MI.

A Technician 1 – Histology is in training to perform and become proficient in on-boarding skills, procedures, and cooperating in a team environment. The technician is learning basic skills required to conduct a study, which may include handling tissues and organs, trimming tissues, embedding, measuring organ weights; microtomy, slide preparation, staining; inventory and quality control, and shipping of tissues. The technician is working under close supervision to gain proficiency.

The pay rate for this position is $20/hr. + differential

Shift hours: Monday - Friday, 2:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

Job Description

Performs aspects of tissue processing (debridement, dissection, cutting, cleaning and disinfection, sizing, assessing), and aspects of packaging and preservation of tissue products (confirmation of sizing, quality, packaging materials, cryopreservation, etc.). Prepares testing equipment and assists with preventative maintenance. Embeds and/or re-embeds processed tissue in paraffin. Performs post-processing decontamination of equipment and the processing room according to current procedures and protocols. May prepare and organize written data, printouts, and other documents for pathologist review.

• Ensure good welfare and humane care for all animals worked with through gentle, positive human-animal interactions.
• Train in on-boarding skills which may include handling tissues and organs, trimming tissues, embedding, measuring organ weights; microtomy, slide preparation, staining; inventory and quality control, and shipping of tissues. Specific skills will be based on each area’s training plan and business needs.
• Collect, document, review, and verify data on forms, or in electronic data capture systems.
• Review documentation of functions performed as part of quality control requirements.
• Use and maintain instrumentation and equipment.
• Learn and know anatomic terms.
• Receive, track, and prepare samples or materials, as required for department.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Education:High school diploma or General Education Degree (G.E.D.) required.Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) or equivalent in a biological science,preferred.
• Experience:No previous experience required.
• Certification/Licensure:None, unless required by local government.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities to achieve goals.
• Computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite), commensurate with essential functions, including the ability to learn a validated system.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without a sponsor visa, now or in the future.

About Safety Assessment

Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market. Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.

About Charles River

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well‑wellness of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

Benefits

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life. Based on your position these may include:

• bonus/incentives based on performance
• 401K
• paid time off
• stock purchase program
• Health and wellness coverage
• employee and family wellbeing support programswork life balance flexibility

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

It is unlawful in some states (including Massachusetts) to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any form during the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to [e-mail]. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.