Animal Technician II - Duck Lab

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University is seeking a detail‑oriented Animal Technician to support animal care and laboratory operations at the Duck Research Laboratory located in Eastport, Long Island
. In this role, you will contribute to the daily care of research animals, assist with laboratory procedures and quality control testing, and help maintain clean, organized, and compliant facilities. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys hands‑on laboratory work and supporting research that advances animal health.

• Provide daily husbandry and care for ducks used in laboratory studies, including feeding, monitoring health, and maintaining clean, sanitized animal housing areas.
• Maintain accurate and detailed records to ensure compliance with USDA and other regulatory requirements.
• Clean, disinfect, and maintain laboratory, production, and storage areas, including sterilizing equipment and properly disposing of regulated medical waste.
• Support vaccine production and quality control activities by preparing sterile equipment and materials, assisting with inoculations and sample collection, and performing basic microbiology techniques.
• Monitor and maintain laboratory equipment, supplies, and inventory, and regularly operate specialized equipment such as autoclaves, pH meters, spectrophotometers, and peristaltic pumps.

• High school Diploma and up to 1 year relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate, detailed records and follow established laboratory protocols and documentation standards.
• Proven ability to manage time effectively, prioritize multiple responsibilities, and work independently to meet established deadlines.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with team members and share information both verbally and in writing.
• Proficiency with common office software such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and the ability to quickly learn new systems and applications as needed.
• Ability to handle sensitive or confidential information with professionalism, sound judgment, and discretion.
• Ability to work with formalin.
• Must possess and maintain a valid New York State driver’s license.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of the position including but not limited to pushing, pulling, lifting, or carrying up to 50 pounds.

• Pharmaceutical production experience.
• Previous media prep experience.
• Experience working within an organization with quality assurance.
• Experience caring for laboratory animals.
• Familiarity with common diseases impacting avian health.

• This is an onsite position located in Eastport, NY
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• This is a full‑time three‑year term position with potential for extension contingent upon funding and performance.
• We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship, now or in the future, for this position.
• Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

• 3 weeks of paid vacation.
• 13 additional holiday days with 2 additional floating holidays to be used at your discretion.
• An award‑winning employer provided benefits program including comprehensive health care options, access to wellness programs, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, generous retirement contributions, and impressive educational benefits such as tuition‑free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children’s Tuition Assistance program.

The Cornell University Duck Research Laboratory is a research, service and biologics production laboratory located on Long Island at Eastport, New York. It is a national and international resource for information on duck disease control, good husbandry practices, proper nutrition, and various other aspects of duck production. The lab provides comprehensive diagnostic necropsy and testing services to identify illness and produces vaccines to assist in the prevention of common diseases affecting duck health.

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