Lab Animal Behavioral Technician ; Habituation Technician

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Location:

Ashland, OH, US, 44805

At Charles River, we are passionate about improving the quality of people’s lives. When you join our global family, you will help create healthier lives for millions of patients and their families.

Charles River employees are innovative thinkers, who are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement. We will empower you with the resources you need to grow and develop in your career.

As a Charles River employee, you will be part of an industry-leading, customer-focused company at the forefront of drug development. Your skills will play a key role in bringing life‑saving therapies to market faster through simpler, quicker, and more digitalized processes. Whether you are in lab operations, finance, IT, sales, or another area, when you work at Charles River, you will be the difference every day for patients across the globe.

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Lab Animal Behavioral Technician I (Habituation Technician) to join our Veterinary Services team. In this role, you will support animal behavioral management programs by assisting with acclimation, enrichment, and conditioning activities that help prepare animals for study procedures. This position is ideal for individuals with animal care, husbandry, veterinary, or life sciences experience who are passionate about promoting animal welfare and providing high‑quality care.

Key Responsibilities

• Handle animals and assist with acclimation programs that prepare animals for study procedures.
• Support behavioral management initiatives through basic operant conditioning techniques.
• Maintain, track, and review data related to acclimation and enrichment programs.
• Maintain accurate documentation and records related to behavioral management programs.
• Receive, label, store, and organize food and enrichment supplies.
• Assist with food preparation and enrichment inventory management.
• Provide appropriate environmental and social enrichment opportunities for animals.
• Build, maintain, and evaluate enrichment devices.
• Collaborate with veterinary, animal care, and other laboratory medicine teams to ensure animal welfare standards are met.

Qualifications

Required:

• High school diploma or GED plus 1 year of relevant experience, or
• Associate degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, or a related field.
• Experience working with animals in a research, husbandry, veterinary, shelter, kennel, or similar environment.
• Ability to safely handle common laboratory animal species.
• Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
• Multi‑species animal care experience.
• AALAS ALAT certification.
• Knowledge of laboratory animal care standards, protocols, and regulatory requirements.

Physical Requirements

This position is based in a research and animal care environment. Employees may work around laboratory equipment, animal allergens, biological materials, and varying noise levels. Safety equipment and training are provided.

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
• Ability to push wheeled carts weighing up to 1,200 lbs.
• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout an 8‑hour shift.
• Comfortable working in animal care and research environments.
• Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).

The pay rate for this position is $19/hour. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.

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…