Laboratory Animal Assistant, Senior - Science Institute

University of Wyoming • Laramie, WY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This position performs technical laboratory and/or research tasks involving laboratory animal care. The role involves conducting laboratory animal husbandry care and facility preparation and maintenance under limited supervision. The Laboratory Animal Assistant will maintain laboratory animal colonies, ensuring they are well cared for and that facilities uphold IACUC standards. A key responsibility is 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 to the designated health provider for clearance to work with animals
• Ability to complete all mandatory online safety and animal-use training modules as assigned by the institution 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.
• Perform health checks and report any abnormalities.
• Perform breeding, weaning, euthanasia, and other grooming tasks.
• Clean and sanitize floors, countertops, shelves, and room equipment.
• Take out trash.
• Maintain clean filters in IVC caging racks, room equipment, and water filters.
• Maintain the vivarium’s sentinel program.
• Maintain facility cleanliness and ensure rooms are stocked appropriately with supplies such as paper towels, trash bags, soaps, cleaning supplies, and PPE.
• Assist employees in research projects and experiments, and test and teach new methods and techniques related to animal handling and procedures.
• 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.
• Use validation techniques to ensure equipment is running correctly and sanitation is achieved.
• Perform routine maintenance and upkeep on equipment as scheduled.
• Maintain detailed and complete animal records within the facility software.
• 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, vision with competitive employer contributions and 4 deductible options)
• Ample vacation, sick leave, paid holidays, and paid winter closure
• Tuition waivers for employees and eligible dependents
• Wellness and Employee Assistance Programs (wellness initiatives, counseling services, 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