Animal Specialist - Center Discovery & Innovation; CDI

Animal Specialist – Center for Discovery & Innovation (CDI)

Join the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center as an Animal Technician Specialist supporting drug discovery programs in a collaborative, mission‑focused team.

The CDI is recruiting a skilled Animal Technician Specialist with strong in‑vivo expertise to support preclinical drug discovery programs for challenging infectious diseases including tuberculosis, multidrug‑resistant bacteria, and pandemic viruses. Under the supervision of Matthew Zimmerman and Véronique Dartois, you will play a hands‑on role in drug profiling, efficacy models, toxicity studies, animal monitoring, and data collection.

• Perform drug profiling pharmacokinetics (PK) and drug toxicity/tolerability studies in rodents.
• Conduct drug efficacy models for multiple biosafety level pathogens (ABSL‑2 and ABSL‑3) including Mycobacterium species, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii.
• Assist with organ homogenization, plating, agar plate preparation, histology processing (formal fixation, slicing, H&E staining, slide scanning) and data collection.
• Prepare BSL‑2 and BSL‑3 pathogen cultures and maintain, sterilize, and decontaminate equipment.
• Maintain compliance with HMH CDI standards, federal and state regulations, and biosafety protocols.
• Lifting and handling of laboratory animals and equipment up to 50 lb.
• Other duties and/or projects as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant science or equivalent work experience.
• Minimum of 2 years experience with rodent models under Biosafety Level 2 containment (or equivalent).
• Basic knowledge in microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, and biochemistry.
• Good organization and record‑keeping skills.
• Excellent intercultural, written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office, Google Suite).

• CDC approved for work with select agents.
• Experience with animal infection models under Biosafety Level 3 containment.
• AALAS certification (American Association for Lab Animal Scientists).

Minimum rate of $21.40 per hour. Compensation is benchmarked against market data and may vary by experience, education, certifications, location, and grant funding. Shift differentials and performance‑based incentives may apply.

Full‑time benefits include health, dental, vision, paid leave, tuition reimbursement, and retirement plans.

HACKENSACK MERIDIAN HEALTH (HMH) IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, breastfeeding, genetic information, marital status, disability, or veteran status.