R&D Animal Lab Technician

Job Title:

Animal Husbandry Technician

Job Description

The Animal Husbandry Technician cares for laboratory mice and rats while supporting research and product development activities within an animal laboratory and main laboratory environment. This role combines daily animal care with hands-on laboratory work, including product testing, formulation support, and documentation in accordance with standard operating procedures and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). The technician helps ensure that all studies, records, and samples meet regulatory and internal quality standards.

Responsibilities

+ Provide daily care for mice and rats, including feeding, watering, and monitoring their health and behavior.

+ Oversee and execute the feeding, watering, and routine observation of laboratory rodents to ensure their well-being and compliance with study protocols.

+ Oversee and execute the cleaning of all equipment associated with the care of rodents, ensuring a sanitary and safe environment.

+ Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant animal laboratory, including animal rooms, equipment, and support areas.

+ Follow all animal laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and other applicable laboratory guidelines.

+ Evaluate new and alternative raw materials to improve existing products and to support the development of new products.

+ Investigate and test new product formulations, packaging, and novel pest control devices in a controlled laboratory setting.

+ Create formula mixing sheets and produce pilot-scale batches to support product development and testing activities.

+ Conduct non-GLP palatability and efficacy studies to assess product performance in laboratory rodents.

+ Organize and conduct standard EPA product performance testing, ensuring that relevant phases of studies are executed according to protocols, SOPs, and GLP requirements.

+ Ensure that all phases of assigned studies are conducted and records are maintained in accordance with study protocols, SOPs, and GLP requirements.

+ Inform the R&D manager immediately of any deviations from SOPs or study protocols and document such deviations as required.

+ Assist in drafting new study protocols, including study design and methodology, in collaboration with research and development personnel.

+ Compile and analyze study results, summarizing findings for internal stakeholders and regulatory submissions.

+ Prepare final study reports for both corporate records and regulatory bodies, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and completeness.

+ Communicate in a timely manner all relevant information regarding formulations, project status, raw material research, and study results to the R&D manager and other departments as directed.

+ Ensure that all logs related to test substances, samples, equipment calibration and maintenance, room records, and other study documents are current, accurate, and complete.

+ Ensure that all samples are properly identified, labeled, stored, and dispatched in a timely manner according to GLP requirements.

+ Prepare samples of pilot mixes and finished goods for external submission to third-party laboratories, following established procedures.

+ Lead the scale-up process from pilot laboratory batches to production-sized batches, coordinating closely with production and quality teams.

+ Maintain a current inventory of all laboratory chemicals and associated Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), ensuring proper storage and documentation.

+ Maintain the non-GLP project database and file cabinet, including documentation for both laboratory and field support studies.

Essential Skills

+ Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related scientific discipline.

+ Hands-on experience with handling mice and rats, including routine care, restraint, and observation.

+ Demonstrated animal handling skills, particularly with laboratory rodents, in a research or laboratory environment.

+ Knowledge of biology or microbiology principles applicable to laboratory and animal research work.

+ Ability to follow and apply laboratory SOPs, GLP requirements, and regulatory guidelines in daily work.

+ Strong attention to detail in maintaining logs, records, and study documentation.

+ Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a laboratory setting, including animal care and study-related activities.

+ Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting results and communicating project status.

+ Capability to perform basic laboratory techniques, including mixing formulations and preparing pilot-scale batches.

+ Comfort working with pest control products and related raw materials in a controlled laboratory environment.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ Experience conducting non-GLP studies, such as palatability and efficacy testing, is beneficial.

+ Familiarity with EPA product performance testing and regulatory study requirements is an advantage.

+ Experience preparing and scaling up formulations from pilot to production-sized batches is preferred.

+ Prior…