Laboratory Animal Resources/Research Resources - Rodent Animal Care Technician

About the Role

The Laboratory Animal Resource (LAR) group at Princeton University is a centralized administrative department reporting to the Dean for Research and is responsible for animal and veterinary care of all research animals at Princeton University. The Animal Technician for the Life Sciences Complex provides state-of-the-art animal care for laboratory animals housed within these facilities, primarily rodents, with some involvement in the care of aquatics and USDA-covered species.

This position reports directly to the Facility Manager and works collaboratively with other technicians according to a schedule prepared by the LAR Manager. The role requires rotation through all LAR facilities and a commitment to improving methods of animal husbandry and resource utilization.

Schedule

Work hours are 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM, Monday through Friday, with supervisor-scheduled weekends, holidays, weather emergencies, and university closings. Animal Technicians are considered essential services staff and must perform duties necessary to maintain basic University operations during closures or emergencies.

Responsibilities

• Provide animal care for all species housed according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), including feeding, watering, changing cages, and sanitizing supplies (cages, water bottles, food bins, and other equipment).
• Maintain clean animal rooms, procedure rooms, hallways, and other support areas while keeping records related to animal care.
• Complete tasks in a timely manner following SOPs and other written or verbal instructions.
• Monitor animal health and welfare daily, reporting sick or dead animals to researchers and Veterinary Services; provide prescribed treatments.
• Monitor, document, and report deviations in environmental parameters such as room temperature, humidity, lighting, and air quality.
• Provide species-specific environmental enrichment under the direction of Veterinary Services and according to research needs.
• Conduct AM and PM animal health observations.
• Operate cage washing machinery, ventilated caging, Edstrom watering systems, bedding dispensing units, autoclaves, and other animal care equipment while adhering to safety procedures.
• Assist with transgenic rodent breeding colony management, including tissue sample collection, setting up mating pairs, weaning animals, and tracking data in software applications.
• Report facility maintenance issues to the Lead Animal Technician and Facility Manager.