Laboratory Animal Technician II - Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

The duties and responsibilities contained in the job description are intended to be examples of the accountabilities for which the person in the position will demonstrate competency through performance. The job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list. Duties and responsibilities are subject to change and other duties may be assigned as necessary.

Position Summary:

Under direct supervision from the Breeding Colony Manager, the Lab Animal Technician II will be responsible for maintaining research laboratory mouse breeding colonies for multiple PIs/labs. Generally, the LAT II is responsible for breeding colony maintenance procedures for approximately 500-800 cages, including some cage changing. In addition, the technician may assist researchers with laboratory procedures as requested. This position involves a range of tasks and functions that are typically essential to continue critical vivarium operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

All tasks are performed according to institute and industry SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Husbandry:

• Changes cages when needed, (based on the assigned workload), per the AF Husbandry SOPs.
• May perform husbandry for immunocompromised mice that require sterile caging, food, water and bedding.
• May perform husbandry work in viral vector BSL-2 (Biosafety Level 2) or Quarantine animal areas.
• May be assigned husbandry work in BSL-2 infectious viral or bacterial containment animal study areas.
• May be assigned work with mice in Specific Pathogen Free rooms.

Breeding Colony Maintenance:

• Performs breeding colony maintenance procedures for multiple PIs.
• Completes daily animal health checks; observes general health condition of each animal assigned under technician’s care. Observations include a daily check of each cage for adequate food and water, and animal health observations for pregnant animals, new litters and for signs of distress, illness, or injury due to phenotype expression or experimental procedures.
• Completes and distributes health status forms to labs (e.g. sick mice, found dead).
• Breeding colony maintenance procedures include mating mice, timed mating with vaginal sperm plug check, weaning litters, ear notching mice, and collecting tail snips for genotyping purposes.
• Expertise in LabTracks database management is required to maintain up-to-date and accurate breeding colony records.
• Direct communication with research PI/lab contacts regarding colony maintenance requests and health findings (breeding production, non-productive breeders, sick or found dead animals).
• Updates researchers on the workflow status of their breeding colony maintenance procedure requests in a timely manner.
• Reports health concerns to the Attending Veterinarian, Manager or Animal Health Coordinator and research PI/lab contact, for guidance on treatment or euthanasia.
• Determines course of actions concerning animal welfare, including euthanasia, in absence of direct orders by other lab staff members
• Treats animals for routine conditions such as dermatitis or abrasions caused by aggressive behavior.
• Separates aggressive animals and provides additional cage enrichment materials.
• Reads the Animal Use Protocols (AUFs) to become familiar with research projects
  • Notes authorized users, mouse lines and crosses associated with AUF.
  • Documents special care requirements for colonies under technician’s care (e.g., diets and food supplements with start and end dates).
• Maintains animal and cage census and ensures appropriate per diem rate is applied to each census record.
• May perform technical procedures on animals as stated in the animal protocol (AUF), including blood collection, injection of materials (IV, IP, IM, SC), or oral dosing of drugs and compounds.
• May assist Manager with cross training the LAT I staff on room and animal health checks, mating mice, timed mating/vaginal plug check, weaning litters, tail biopsy, and LabTracks database entry.
• Preform other related tasks, duties and responsibilities as required, assigned or directed.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: High School diploma required. An Associates or Bachelor’s degree in biology or animal sciences preferred.

Experience: Two (2) years progressive lab animal experience required or equivalent education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained

Certifications, Licenses, etc.: None required. AALAS certifications (ALAT, LAT or LATG) or AHT preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and/or Abilities:

• Possess a demonstrated interest in the humane care, management, and utilization of animals in a research setting
• Proficiency in handling and restraint of laboratory rodents
• Knowledge of animal health, disease control/prevention, and technical procedures gained through combination of education, training and practical hands-on experience
• Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of common laboratory rodent diseases, and identification of conditions which may result from research procedures
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Be responsible, organized, and a problem solver
• Possess strong attention to detail, analytical, time management, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Direct: None
• Indirect: None

Work Environment:

The vivarium is a specialized facility designed for the housing and care of laboratory animals, providing a controlled environment that ensures their health and well-being. This space is equipped with state-of-the-art housing units, environmental monitoring systems, and veterinary care areas. The vivarium maintains strict adherence to ethical guidelines and regulatory standards to promote humane treatment.

The atmosphere is typically collaborative, with researchers, animal care staff, and veterinarians working closely together. Staff are required to follow established protocols for animal handling, care, and record-keeping to ensure compliance and safety.

The vivarium environment is characterized by its clean and organized layout, designed for efficiency and ease of access to animal habitats. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory to maintain hygiene and minimize stress for the animals.

Regular training sessions are conducted to keep staff informed about best practices in animal care, welfare, and safety procedures. Overall, the vivarium provides a dynamic work environment that emphasizes compassion, scientific integrity, and dedication to animal research.

The work environment contains animal dander and dust particles.

Work Schedule:

• Ability to work one of the defined work schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30 Monday through Friday
• Willing to work overtime if necessary to maintain integrity of a research protocol
• Able and willing to work on weekends and holidays on a rotating basis

Physical Requirements:

Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)

Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles

Working in a vivarium involves specific physical capabilities, including:

• Standing and Walking: Ability to stand for extended periods and move around the facility to attend to animal needs and maintenance.
• Lifting and Carrying: Capability to lift, carry, and stack feed and bedding bags that typically weigh up to 40 pounds; and move heavy equipment (mouse housing racks and carts loaded with water bottles or caging supplies), using proper lifting, pushing or pulling techniques.
• Manual Dexterity: Proficiency in handling small animals and using various tools and equipment with precision.
• Repetitive Motions: Comfort with repetitive tasks involved with animal care such as feeding, cage changing and animal health checks; and animal holding room and procedure room janitorial tasks
• Bending and Stooping: Flexibility to remove and hold rodent cages from various heights within their holding rack (cages weigh 8 lbs,) for cage changing and animal health check and procedures
• Visual Acuity: Ability to observe animal behavior and health, distinguishing subtle changes that may indicate issues

Compensation:

• The expected compensation for this position is $24-28/hour commensurate with experience.

Sanford Burnham Prebys celebrates the rich diversity of our scientists, students and staff, who hail from more than 30 countries. Our diverse and inclusive environment catalyzes innovation and fuels discovery, enhancing the value and impact of our research.

We welcome talented individuals of all backgrounds regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, military or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

If you need an accommodation seeking employment with Sanford Burnham Prebys, please email accommodations@sbpdiscovery.org. Accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis.