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Overview

Tufts Comparative Medicine Services (Tufts CMS) in the Office of the Vice Provost for Research provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research using laboratory animals at Tufts University and Tufts Medical Center in Boston and Tufts University in Medford. Tufts CMS is also obligated to ensure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The management and operation of the animal care activities of all sites are integral to the animal care and use program. All centralized facilities are located within a 2-block radius, either in Boston or Medford and house in excess of 40,000 animals daily.

What You'll Do

Consider launching your career in the field of laboratory animal science / medicine! In this role, you have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience to prepare you for the AALAS (American Association for Laboratory Animal Science) certification exam at the Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) level.

The Laboratory Animal Caretaker is responsible for the daily monitoring, husbandry, and care of lab animals. This position reports to the Animal Care Supervisors.

Responsibilities include:

• Ensures animal handling, feeding and food preparation
• Monitors food and liquid intake for animals, as well as room environment
• Provisions adequate environmental enrichment
• Detects early of signs of illness, injury, pregnancy, or abnormalities in physiology or behavior
• Cleans and sanitizes cages and animal living spaces (routinely)
• Maintains close contact with faculty and student researchers, as well as with the University's consulting veterinarian, especially when a problem is detected or suspected
• Attends regular training as directed to keep abreast of changing regulations and standards of humane animal care
• Keeps records of day-to-day animal care (e.g. including feeding, cleaning, health checks)
• Performs other duties as assigned

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and experience typically acquired through a completion of a High School diploma or GED and up to two years of related experience
• Must be able to read, write and understand verbal, as well as written instructions
• Must be able to work under conditions of animal odors, heat and humidity from cage washing rooms, and biohazardous materials and chemicals used in research
• Must be able to regularly lift and carry weights of approximately 50 pounds
• Must be able to work with a variety of research animals, including rodents, dogs, pigs, cats, rabbits, ruminants and ferrets
• Upon proper training, must be able to euthanize animals

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

• Upon proper training, work rotating weekends and holidays on both the Medford and Boston campuses

Pay Range

Minimum $18.80, Midpoint $21.85, Maximum $24.90
 

Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.