"Animal Caretaker"

Animal Caretaker

Are you passionate about animal welfare and interested in contributing to cutting-edge biomedical research? Foster Biomedical Research Laboratory at Brandeis University is seeking a dedicated Animal Caretaker to support the daily care and well-being of laboratory animals. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy hands-on work with animals, take pride in attention to detail, and want to help advance ethical and impactful research.

Why You Will Love This Role

• Meaningful work: Play a critical role in supporting research that advances science and human health.
• Hands-on experience: Care for a variety of laboratory animal species while honing your animal handling and observation skills.
• Professional growth: Participate in ongoing training, including opportunities to earn your ALAT certification.
• Team environment: Collaborate with compassionate professionals who value animal welfare, compliance, and teamwork.

What you will do:

Primary Responsibilities – 60% of role

• Provide daily care and husbandry support, including feeding, watering, cleaning and operating cage washing equipment
• Health monitoring: Observing animals for signs of illness, injury, or distress, reporting any abnormalities to the supervisor or Director.
• Animal handling: Restraining animals for administering medications as directed.
• Facility maintenance: Cleaning and disinfecting animal housing areas and equipment.
• Compliance with regulations: Adhering to all relevant animal welfare laws and protocols.

Additional Responsibilities – 30% of role

• Record keeping: Maintaining room temperature and humidity logs.
• Inventory management: Monitor inventory levels of facility supplies.

Other Responsibilities – 10% of role

• Training and education: Participating in ongoing training on animal handling, care procedures, and safety protocols.

The salary range for the position is $39.5k-$41.4k.

Job Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• ALAT certificate required within 6 months.
• Animal handling skills: Ability to comfortably handle various species of laboratory animals with care and expertise.
• Attention to detail: Accurate observation and recording of animal health data.
• Good communication skills: Reporting observations and concerns to supervisors effectively.
• Compassion and empathy for animals: Commitment to animal welfare and ethical research practices.
• Weekend and holiday coverage required.
• Ability to work cooperatively with colleagues and supervisory staff at all levels
• Ability to lift up to 50lbs required, prolonged standings, bending, squatting, and kneeling. Daily contact and work with live animals and soiled animal bedding.