Animal Research Technician

About the role

Texas A&M AgriLife is a comprehensive agriculture program within The Texas A&M University System, comprising four state agencies and one college focused on agriculture and life sciences. The department brings together over 5,000 employees across the state to improve lives, environments, and the Texas economy through education, research, extension, and service.

Responsibilities

• Breeding Colony Management: Maintain breeding pairs and trios across multiple laboratory mouse strains, monitor breeding performance, wean pups at appropriate ages, manage colony structure, and track colony inventory.

• Record Keeping and Colony Management Systems: Update cage cards, breeding logs, and strain lineage information, track colony inventory, and ensure data integrity and compliance with institutional record-keeping standards.

• Genotyping and Sample Processing: Collect tissue samples for genotyping, dissect and collect tissues from mice, label, organize, and track samples, and ensure accurate linkage of genotype data to colony records and individual animals.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent with two years of related experience in animal husbandry.

• Bachelor's degree preferred.

• Knowledge of animal handling techniques, ability to multitask, communicate clearly, learn and apply mouse breeding colony management procedures, follow laboratory protocols, and maintain accurate records.

• Preferred experience working with laboratory mice, managing mouse breeding colonies, collecting tissue samples for genotyping, and PCR-based genotyping techniques.

Skills

• Attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Ability to learn and apply mouse breeding colony management procedures and animal handling techniques.

• Ability to learn and follow laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, and institutional guidelines.

• Ability to learn sample collection, processing, and genotyping workflows.

• Strong communication skills.

Benefits

The position offers a comprehensive benefit package including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance, up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month, automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and an Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife.