Lab Animal Caretaker - Comparative Medicine Services - Tufts University

Tufts Comparative Medicine Services formerly The Division of laboratory Animal Medicine (DLAM) provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research using laboratory animals at Tufts university and Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston and Tufts University in Medford. CMS is also obligated to insure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The management and operation of the animal care activities are integral to the animal care and use program. All centralized facilities are located within a 2-block radius, either in Boston or Medford, housing in excess of 40,000 animals daily.

The Laboratory Animal Caretaker, under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisors, will be responsible for the daily husbandry of laboratory animals, the monitoring of room environment, the sanitation of the facilities, and the maintenance of associated equipment.  

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired through completion of a High School Diploma or GED.
• 0-2 years of experience.
• Must be able to read, write and understand verbal, as well as written instructions.  
• Must be able to work under conditions of animal odors, heat and humidity from cage washing rooms, and biohazardous materials and chemicals used in research.  
• Must be able to regularly lift and carry weights of approximately 50 pounds.  
• Must be able to work with a variety of research animals, including rodents, dogs, pigs, cats, rabbits, ruminants and ferrets.  
• Upon proper training, must be able to euthanize animals.           

Special Work Schedule Requirements:
Upon proper training, work rotating weekends and holidays on both the Medford and Boston campuses.