Necropsy / Histology Technician

The Necropsy / Histology Technician supports preclinical research by providing hands-on necropsy, histology, and animal care services in a regulated laboratory environment. This role is ideal for a candidate with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science or Life Science who has experience handling rodents and is eager to build technical skills in necropsy and histology. Over time, and based on performance, workload, and interest, this position can evolve into a more advanced necropsy and histology technician role, performing routine and special rodent necropsies, autopsies, and histology procedures.

Responsibilities

• Set up necropsy areas before procedures, provide support to prosectors during necropsies, and clean and organize workspaces after procedures.
• Provide comprehensive necropsy and histology laboratory support, including changing solutions, printing slides and cassettes, operating slide staining machines and related equipment, weighing tissues, and unpacking and preparing specimens for shipment.
• Euthanize laboratory animals in a humane manner in accordance with established protocols and ethical standards.
• Observe and record data on laboratory animals, including weights and physical characteristics, following laboratory standards and documentation requirements.
• Observe and record facility and equipment measurements, such as weights and temperatures, in accordance with laboratory standards to help ensure the validity and integrity of experimental results.
• Work as a collaborative member of the histology team to support the timely, efficient, accurate, and precise production of histological slides for examination by a pathologist.
• As training, workload, and performance allow, assist with or perform histology tasks such as embedding, cutting, staining, and coverslipping tissue samples.
• Operate, clean, and maintain laboratory facilities and equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures to ensure reliability and compliance.
• Order, receive, decontaminate, and store equipment and consumables, and stock laboratory cabinets to maintain efficient laboratory operations.
• Prepare reagents and solutions and assist with the safe disposal of biological and chemical waste to support smooth and compliant laboratory workflows.
• Adhere to all applicable EPA regulations, protocols, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP).
• Follow written and verbal instructions accurately and consistently to accomplish assigned tasks.
• Recognize non-routine or unusual circumstances in the laboratory and seek guidance from appropriate personnel.
• Organize, prioritize, and complete assignments according to specified requirements and timelines.
• Contribute actively to a positive, team-oriented environment by communicating professionally, treating others with respect, and supporting team objectives.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality, and regulatory compliance in all aspects of work.
• Operate effectively in a regulatory environment, ensuring documentation and practices meet required standards.
• Take initiative to identify and complete tasks that support the team and overall laboratory operations, even with minimal supervision.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science or Life Science.
• Experience handling laboratory rodents, including basic animal husbandry and routine procedures.
• Willingness and ability to handle laboratory animals, including rodents, in a humane and professional manner.
• Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions accurately.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and contribute to a collaborative environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for documenting data and interacting with colleagues.
• General knowledge of chemistry, biology, and mathematics sufficient to support laboratory tasks.
• Ability to function independently with minimal supervision while maintaining high-quality work.
• Capability to operate within a regulatory environment, adhering to SOPs, GLP, and relevant regulations.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and complete assignments to defined specifications.
• Demonstrated commitment to producing high-quality, accurate, and precise work products.
• Ability to recognize non-routine situations and seek appropriate guidance.
• Basic computer skills with the ability to learn and use validated laboratory systems.

• Background in animal husbandry, animal handling, or veterinary-related settings, particularly with rodents in a vivarium or laboratory environment.
• Experience with aseptic techniques in a laboratory or animal care context.
• Exposure to procedures such as blood draws and dosing in laboratory animals.
• Familiarity with necropsy and histology processes, including tissue handling and slide preparation.
• Flexibility and willingness to learn new techniques and acquire new knowledge and skills that contribute to laboratory objectives.
• Ability to contribute to and maintain a safe working environment for both staff and animals.
• Comfort working with laboratory reagents, solutions, and standard laboratory equipment.
• Professional interpersonal skills, including respectful communication and the use of professional language in the workplace.

This role is based in a regulated laboratory and vivarium environment that focuses on preclinical research involving rodents. The technician works with standard necropsy and histology equipment, including slide staining machines, tissue processors, and related laboratory instruments, as well as computer systems and validated software for data entry and tracking. The position involves regular handling of laboratory animals, exposure to biological and chemical materials, and adherence to strict safety, EPA, SOP, and GLP standards. Work is team-oriented and deadline-driven, with an emphasis on accuracy, precision, and compliance. The environment requires consistent use of appropriate personal protective equipment and adherence to laboratory hygiene and cleanliness practices.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Newark, DE.

The pay range for this position is $26.00 - $26.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Newark,DE.

This position is anticipated to close on May 8, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000 extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

Salary : $26