Operations Coordinator, Clinical Services

About the role

Under the guidance of West Point laboratory animal resources husbandry operations, this position works to provide world-class animal care to impact drug development and discovery and improve human health. With minimal direction and in compliance with departmental Standard Operating Procedures, Research & Development Division study requirements, as well as applicable regulations and guidelines (USDA, NIH Guide, Good Laboratory Practices), this role oversees the details of animal care and related activities of Laboratory Animal Resources, including indirect guidance of animal care workers.

Responsibilities include assisting with the training, development, assignment coordination, and safety of hourly personnel, contributing to work assignments, ensuring completion and quality, and administering personnel policies. The role ensures quality support of research laboratory animal programs through collaboration between LAR, research staff, and other support organizations. The position involves cross-project collaboration, communication of work-related information to project teams, and representation of the functional group on department teams or committees.

Responsibilities

• Contributes to interdepartmental collaborations with other members of the Research & Development Division community.
• Assists with managerial reports as required (census, facility records).
• Communicates effectively, both verbally and in writing, with departmental and research staff.
• Assumes an assistant role in training departmental staff in specific activities.
• Provides guidance to husbandry staff in conjunction with line management.
• Assists with the processing of orders of animals to meet research needs.
• Collaborates with other LAR personnel to develop and implement equipment and process validation programs, including sanitation procedures, water testing, airborne particulate analysis, and temperature and light level testing and validation.
• Maintains animal source and transaction records in compliance with company, state, and federal requirements.
• Assists with the development, implementation, and monitoring of SOPs for daily activities.
• Manages husbandry equipment, including rack washers, bottle washers, tunnel washers, automated bedding systems, and bulk sterilizers, and trains employees in their operation.
• Included in rotational weekend and holiday duty.
• Independently carries out minor technical duties related to laboratory practices, supplies organization, and laboratory records management.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, or a related in vivo field (required by June 2027).
• Experience in a research/in vivo field; functional in-person internship or job shadow experience will be considered.
• Full-time position with a start date in June 2027.

Qualifications

Preferred Education, Experience, and Skills

• MS in Biology or related in vivo field.
• 5 years of experience in a research laboratory in vivo management.
• ALAT, AAALAS certification.

Skills

Required Skills

• Animal Handling
• Animal Husbandry
• Animal Science
• Animal Welfare
• Biotechnology Research
• Data Recording
• Detail-Oriented
• Drug Development
• Equipment Validations
• Ethical Standards
• GLP Regulations
• In Vivo Studies
• Laboratory Animal Medicine
• Laboratory Documentation
• Laboratory Techniques
• Laboratory Testing
• Process Validation
• Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATG)
• Researching
• Technical Knowledge
• Training and Development
• Use of Laboratory Equipment
• Veterinary Research

Preferred Skills

• Current Employees apply through internal portal.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $87,300.00 - $137,400.00. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits, including:

• Medical, dental, vision healthcare, and other insurance benefits (for employee and family).
• Retirement benefits, including 401(k).
• Paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days.

More information about benefits is available at Merck Compensation and Benefits.