Sandford Burnham Prebys is a preeminent, independent biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding human biology and disease, and advancing scientific discoveries to profoundly impact human health.

A Husbandry Technician I/II position is available at Sanford Burnham Prebys. Under direct supervision from the Animal Facility Manager, and sometimes with instruction from the Lead Husbandry Technician, the Husbandry Tech I/II will be responsible for both cage room and husbandry activities related to the care of laboratory research mice. This position involves a range of tasks and functions that are typically essential to continue critical vivarium operations.

Primary Responsibilities

All tasks are performed according to institute and industry SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)

Cage Room Duties ~60%

• Washes and refills water bottles; operates the automatic bottle filler machine
• Removes and disposes of soiled bedding in used rodent cages
• Washes rodent cages and related caging accessories
• Operates the tunnel washer and rack washer machines
• Organizes the cleaned caging and accessories
• Prepares caging for autoclaving and operates the steam autoclave
• Operates the bedding dispenser and adds nesting material to bedding filled cages
• Performs housekeeping duties within each side of the cage washrooms including cleaning cage washing machines
• Performs other cleaning duties in vivarium support areas such as mopping floors, cleaning windows and counters
• Restocks supplies as needed in cage washrooms and support areas
• Handles BSL-2 (Biosafety Level – 2) waste disposal (e.g., animal waste)
• Participates in required EH&S and department training courses
• Performs euthanasia
• Cleans and maintains assigned animal rooms, surrounding support areas and procedure labs
• Prepares cleaning solutions and labels stock solutions with preparation date
• Receives and rotates animal feed and bedding; label feed with mill, open and expiration dates

Husbandry Duties ~40%

• Checks cages daily for adequate food and water and replenish as needed
• Changes cages following the 10-day cage change cycle
• Checks cage cards for accuracy of information and correct information as needed
• Maintains animal room activity logs and husbandry records
• Maintains changing hoods, ventilated animal housing racks and related work equipment
• Performs daily animal health checks and reports observed health conditions to Laboratory Animal Technicians (LATs)
• Restocks room supplies and maintains common use storage and procedure support areas

Required Experience:

• High School diploma and one year of general work experience required or an equivalent combination of education, training and/or experience from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been attained
• ALAT or LAT certification preferred
• Candidates with backgrounds in custodial work or experience in restaurant services will be strongly considered

Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities

• Ability to pass post-employment physical as required by OLAW (Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare)
• Ability to work in environment which contains animal dander and dust particles
• Ability to perform repetitive motions with arms, wrists and hands; regular bending and lifting, sitting and standing on hard floor surfaces and pushing and pulling of carts loaded with caging and accessories
• Ability to lift and stack feed and bedding bags up to 40 pounds
• Must wear institute supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers and hair bonnet as well as other task-related personnel protective equipment including face shield or goggles, heat resistant autoclave gloves, nitrile or chemical resistant gloves, apron, and back support belt
• Ability to work one of the defined work schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30 Monday through Friday
• Work independently as well as in a team environment
• Strong written and oral communication and interpersonal skills
• Possess good time management and organizational skills
• Adhere to department and institute safety and occupational health policies and procedures while demonstrating competency in safety protocols
• Maintain compliance with all training requirements
• Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks
• Embody the Institute’s core values of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Community and Compassion

Compensation: 

The rate range for this role is $19 -  $24/hour commensurate with experience. 

The scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute are making research breakthroughs in cancer, neuroscience, immunology, and children's disease. We are also at the forefront of finding solutions for emerging health threats such as COVID-19, where we are working to identify drugs that may help millions of people. During our more than 40 year history, we have established an NCI-designated Cancer Center, designed one of the most sophisticated drug discovery centers in the nonprofit world, and created global collaborations that are leading to preventions, treatments and cures to improve human health.

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute is an Equal Opportunity employer – M/F/Veteran/Disability – committed to the hiring, advancement and fair treatment of all individuals. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected status as designated by federal, state or local law. For additional information about your rights as an applicant, click HERE.