Lab Technician

Job Title:

Lab Technician

Job Description

The Lab Technician supports a Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) vivarium environment by performing animal husbandry, equipment operation, and facility maintenance while upholding strict safety, regulatory, and data integrity standards. This role focuses on implementing core laboratory and vivarium skills to support contract research activities, ensuring the welfare of animals, the accuracy of data, and effective coordination with cross-functional scientific and support teams.

Responsibilities

+ Complete training focused on general core skills required for work in a GLP vivarium and laboratory environment.

+ Comply with all applicable safety and health practices, including the proper use of personal protective equipment and barrier requirements, as needed.

+ Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), ALCOA+ principles, and relevant regulatory requirements, including USDA, AAALAC, and other governmental regulations.

+ Handle, restrain, and manipulate animals consistently, professionally, and with empathy, ensuring animal welfare at all times.

+ Recognize and monitor animal behavior and health status, and promptly report any concerns through appropriate channels.

+ Perform routine animal husbandry tasks, including cleaning, feeding, sanitation, enrichment, and related care activities on a regular basis.

+ Operate, maintain, and perform tasks with vivarium and facility equipment such as cage washers, autoclaves, and cage movement systems on a regular basis.

+ Observe animal room environments and promptly report any abnormalities in temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, or signs of vermin.

+ Perform general facility cleaning, stocking, and inventory management to support smooth operations.

+ Receive, organize, and distribute animals for isolation, study assignment, or consolidation, following established procedures.

+ Meet data quality performance standards by recording data with integrity, checking data upon completion, and addressing deviations or edits in a timely manner.

+ Provide coordination and support to other departments as a support group within a GLP vivarium environment.

+ Implement documentation and support services required for contract research organization (CRO) scientific research, including accurate record-keeping and contribution to advancing research activities.

+ Participate in weekend and evening rotations as needed to support continuous vivarium operations.

+ Support cross-functional process improvements and contribute to enhancing operational efficiency and data quality.

+ Identify and resolve problems as they arise, escalating issues appropriately and collaborating with team members to find effective solutions.

Essential Skills

+ High School Diploma and/or GED required.

+ Minimum 1 year of related experience; previous animal experience is strongly preferred.

+

Experience with vivarium operations and animal husbandry, particularly with mammals.

+ Familiarity with working in a GLP environment supporting a vivarium.

+ Knowledge of MS Office suite and the ability to adapt easily to new software programs.

+ Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, software manuals, study documents, and procedure manuals.

+ Ability to write routine reports and correspondence clearly and accurately.

+ Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

+ Well-developed interpersonal skills to work effectively with colleagues across functions.

+ Demonstrated personal and professional integrity, with proven discretion in handling confidential information.

+ Ability to develop strong, trusting relationships in order to gain support and achieve results.

+ Capability to manage multiple conflicting priorities and maintain organization in a fast-paced environment.

+ Self-directed and motivated, with a willingness to take initiative to identify and anticipate needs and recommend solutions.

+ Strong attention to detail and accuracy in all tasks.

+ Ability to manage change and readily adapt to new projects, processes, and priorities.

+ Comfort communicating with all levels of employees and management.

+ Ability to identify and resolve problems as they are encountered.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ BS/BA in a scientific discipline is preferred.

+ Relevant industry experience is a plus.

+ Experience supporting CRO scientific research, including documentation and support services, is beneficial.

+ Knowledge of biology,…