Laboratory Animal Technician: Division of Biology - UTK

Job Description

The University of Tennessee Knoxville is seeking a dedicated Laboratory Animal Technician to join our team. This position involves daily animal care for a variety of species, cage cleaning and preparation, and facility cleaning and maintenance. The successful candidate will work closely with the manager, other lab animal technicians, student assistants, faculty, research staff, and veterinary staff to provide the highest quality services and humane care for all animals used in support of UTK’s research programs.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide routine daily husbandry, including health observations, provision of food, water, and enrichment, and cage changes for a variety of species
• Perform animal health and welfare observations, record and report as necessary
• Assist with breeding tasks such as identifying new litters, sexing, and weaning
• Clean, wash, and disinfect animal rooms and cages
• Assemble and prepare animal cages, racks, and related equipment for cage change outs or newly arriving animals according to instructions
• Maintain clean, orderly, and sanitized work areas on a regular basis and document all tasks as required
• Maintain all required records with accuracy (e.g., census, sanitation, environmental monitoring, enrichment, and cage card animal identification)
• Maintain supply stock at both room and facility levels
• Operate and maintain various types of equipment including cage washers, autoclaves, foggers, and biosafety cabinets
• Collect and dispose of waste and hazardous material according to established procedures
• Work in all areas of the facility to include specialized areas such as immunocompromised, quarantine, and areas with biological and chemical hazards
• Perform all duties in compliance with facility regulations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), UTK policies, and local, state, and federal laws governing the use of research animals
• Other duties as assigned
  
  

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Ability to work extended hours beyond normal work schedule to include but not limited to evenings, weekends, holidays, extended or extra shifts, and/or during emergencies or inclement weather, occasionally on short notice
• Must be able to work in an often physically demanding and fast-paced environment to include: lift 50 pounds, stand for long periods of time on concrete floor, bend, and pick up items above head and below knees
• Must be able to work with chemicals, a variety of animal species, and animal feed and bedding ingredients which could include meat products, corn, soy, peanuts, and hays such as timothy, alfalfa, etc.
• Ability to make sound decisions, acknowledge limitations, work independently, and multi-task under stressful conditions
• Effective communicator, both oral and written, with the ability to maintain accurate records
  

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field of study
• Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician or Laboratory Animal Technician certification from AALAS
• Experience:
• Experience working with animals in a research setting
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
• Knowledge of animal care compliance in accordance with The Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals
• Knowledge of biosecurity procedures for maintaining laboratory animal areas
  

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite
  
  

Compensation And Benefits

• UT market range: MR04
• Anticipated hiring range: $37,500 – $39,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here
  
  

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
  
  

About Us

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!