Laboratory Animal Assistant, Senior - Science Institute

University of Wyoming • Laramie, WY

19h • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs technical laboratory and/or research tasks involving laboratory animal care, including conducting laboratory animal husbandry care and facility preparation and maintenance under limited supervision. The role involves maintaining laboratory animal colonies, ensuring they are well cared for and that facilities uphold IACUC standards, and maintaining a clean, orderly facility. This position has been deemed essential and may require working during emergency or winter closures.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in a related field
• 1-year work-related experience
• Ability to participate in the University’s Animal Occupational Health and Safety Program, including submission of required health and vaccination records for clearance to work with animals
• Ability to complete all mandatory online safety and animal-use training modules upon hire

Nice To Haves

• Membership with AAALAS and certification as an Animal Laboratory Technician (ALAT or higher)
• Willingness to learn new skills and master multiple tasks quickly
• Skilled with Teams, Outlook, and Outlook calendar
• Willingness to learn facility management software
• Value and follow safety protocols and procedures
• Keep accurate logs of tasks completed
• Keep accurate room and animal health records
• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, students, and staff
• Ability to be an essential worker; be available for weekend, holiday, and university closure coverage on a rotating basis; and serve as the emergency contact for the facility when the director is unavailable

Responsibilities

• Set up and organize laboratory and supply areas, including animal holding rooms, procedure rooms, and surgery rooms, ensuring these spaces are always stocked, cleaned, and ready for research needs.
• Perform animal husbandry duties, including sanitation of cages, changing and disposal of animal bedding, management of food, water, and animal enrichment, performing health checks and reporting abnormalities, performing breeding, weaning, euthanasia, and other grooming tasks, cleaning and sanitizing floors, countertops, shelves, and room equipment, taking out trash, and maintaining clean filters in IVC caging racks, room equipment, and water filters.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and ensure rooms are stocked appropriately with items such as paper towels, trash bags, soaps, cleaning supplies, and PPE.
• Use dump stations, cage washers, autoclaves, and other large equipment to clean animal cages and other animal husbandry items, ensuring a high level of cleanliness and biosecurity.
• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep on equipment as scheduled.
• Maintain detailed and complete animal records within the facility software.
• Assist employees in research projects and experiments, and test and teach new methods and techniques related to animal handling and procedures.
• Supervise and train new part-time/student workers.
• Serve as backup emergency contact and access provider for the MORF facility manager when needed.

Benefits

• Generous Retirement Contributions (State contributes 14.94%, employee contributes 3.68%)
• Exceptional Health & Prescription Coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance with competitive employer contributions and 4 deductible options)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure)
• Tuition Waiver for employees and eligible dependents
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs (wellness initiatives, counseling services, and mental health resources)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees