Veterinary Support Staff

University of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Chicago’s Animal Resources Center (ARC) Veterinary Support unit seeks a dedicated staff member to assist veterinary and investigative staff. You will perform routine health rounds, collect data, and support laboratory research involving animals, MRI technologies, histology, and related activities.

Under supervision, you will provide hands-on care, training, and weekend/holiday rotation, contributing to humane animal care and compliance across facilities.

Qualifications

• Requires a college or university degree in a related field.

Responsibilities

• Perform health assessments and analgesic management for rodents and exotic species.
• Communicate with veterinarians and investigators; assist with training and instruction of staff.
• Maintain complete and accurate records and documentation.

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Job description

Department

BSD ARC - Veterinary Services 2 - Support

About The Department

The Animal Resources Center (ARC) at the University of Chicago supports animal research by ensuring humane care and proper use of all laboratory animals. It oversees all research animals on campus and manages six facilities and a business office. The Veterinary Support unit is responsible for performing health rounds and providing treatment to research animals and support to BSD animal users. ARC is part of the Office of Shared Research Facilities, which also manages BSD core facilities.

Job Summary

The job performs routine laboratory data collection and analysis to support clinical research, and assists in specialty research involving animals, MRI technologies, histology, among others. Under supervision from the ARC Compliance & Training Supervisor, provides general assistance to veterinary and investigative staff. Performs routine observation health rounds and treatments of rodent and exotics population, provides training of animal facility and investigative staff, and shares weekend/holiday rotation with other veterinary support staff.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of the Compliance & Training Manager, performs health assessments, analgesic management, and medical care of rodents and “exotic” species (i.e. frogs, hamsters, birds, zebrafish).
• Communicates with veterinarians, husbandry staff, and investigative staff and assists with training and advising investigators, research, and animal facility staff including animal handling, animal health, and technical procedures.
• Records and maintains complete and accurate records documentation.
• Provides technical research procedures.
• Shares rotation for health assessments on weekends and holidays with other rodent/exotics veterinary support staff.
• Assists with the rodent quarantine and health monitoring programs. Assists with the shipment and receipt of animals coming from external/non-approved sources to quarantine, transfer of animals from quarantine to procedural facilities, collects diagnostic samples, manages outbreak response in conjunction with veterinarians, and performs necropsies.
• Provides hands‑on rodent/exotics technique training. Assists with the development of new training mater.
• Understands aquatics life support systems and how to interpret aquatics water quality testing results. Assists with the collection and processing of environmental samples from all facilities (i.e. water quality testing, ATP swabs, etc.).
• Under guidance and direction, analyzes clinical samples and specimens and reports results. Prepares specimens for examination, and looks for abnormalities using automated equipment, and computerized instruments capable of performing a number of tests simultaneously.
• Conducts new tests and researches on new technologies for implementation in the laboratory. Solves routine or standard problems relating to the collection and management of patient results and data.
• Has general awareness of safety, quality control, and quality assurance procedures. Maintains quality and safety control measures for the laboratory.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through < 2 years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Experience

• 1+ years of experience with biomedical research environment or research animal setting.
• 1+ years of experience with handling, caring, and performing technical procedures for rodents, birds, and aquatics species.

Licenses And Certifications

• AALAS certification at any level strongly preferred.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with a commitment to providing excellent service and support to users and collaborators.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with strong computer, record-keeping, time management, and follow‑through skills.
• Adaptable and eager to learn, with the ability to respond effectively to changing priorities and unscheduled needs.
• Ability to Identify, analyze, and resolve clinical, procedural, and compliance challenges with a proactive mindset, applying critical thinking to find practical solutions.

Working Conditions

• Involves a combination of mobility between facilities, work in a biological safety cabinet, and time spent in stationary positions, including standing or sitting while performing assigned duties, as well as periods of seated, computer-based work.

Application Documents

• Resume (required)
• Cover Letter (preferred)

The University of Chicago uses AI-assisted tools to streamline and augment some recruitment processes; however, AI is not used to make hiring decisions.

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

Yes

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Hourly

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt

Pay Range

$24.04 - $33.65

The included pay rate or range represents the University’s good faith estimate of the possible compensation offer for this role at the time of posting.

Benefits Eligible

Yes

The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs and resources for eligible employees, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Information about the benefit offerings can be found in the Benefits Guidebook.

Posting Statement

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history. A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment. Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case‑by‑case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago’s Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.