Research Animal Technician and Breeding/Behavioral Specialist

About the position

Baylor University is seeking a Research Animal Technician and Breeding/Behavioral Specialist within the Baylor Sciences and Facilities Department. The Research Animal Technician and Breeding/Behavior Specialist plays a crucial role in ensuring the wellness of research animals and the efficient operation of the Research Animal Facility at Baylor University. The position supports animal welfare needs with routine facility and animal care by providing specialized service and consultation to enable robust breeding and behavioral strategies to support colony health. This position is a mission-essential component of the Baylor Animal Program, enabling an appropriate level of support, oversight, and expertise in the Research Animal Facility to enable pursuit of AAALAC accreditation.

Responsibilities

• Be part of the team performing daily health/wellness check
• Perform assigned cage changes/preparations, including weaning for housed animals as needed, ensuring adequate food and water provided in appropriate condition, and communicating needs or deficiencies to the facility manager, Attending Veterinarian (AV), staff, and/or Primary Investigators (PIs) as appropriate to maintain compliance
• Manage rodent breeding and breeding strategies in the facility including providing: pairing and separating of designated breeding animals; consultation to PIs prior to IACUC submission; and training for established breeding policies and procedures
• Create and maintain relevant records and data for animal health and success of breeding programs as needed
• Maintain and evaluate cage enrichment items in collaboration with researchers, staff, and the AV
• Evaluate and implement new enrichment items through consultation with AV and by staying up to date on relevant industry trends
• Conduct intervention for behavioral issues in colony animal in consultation with the AV
• Provide periodic reports highlighting results of implemented interventions to support development of facility policy and procedure
• Provide basic training on animal handling and facility SOPs to new users and workers in the research animal facility in workshop and one-on-one sessions
• Provide specified procedural/surgical training as appointed and trained by the AV and/or research animal facility manager
• Provide and support training on breeding programs and implementation of remediation strategies for breeding and behavioral issues to researchers and care staff
• Provide handling training and support to Baylor Sciences Building (BSB) instrumentation specialist for use of imaging equipment housed in the vivarium
• Support procedural needs for the AV and Animal Care technician by cross training in routine treatments and procedures for clinical cases in the facility
• Help maintain clean and sanitary spaces in the facility, including assistance with quality control testing for cage washers, autoclaves, water bottles, treatment and distribution systems, and room sanitation
• Organize and perform sentinel or rodent health surveillance program requirements, including collecting and submitting samples and maintaining any related animals
• Help maintain essential equipment and supplies at the instruction of the facility manager
• Be available after hours to support weekend and holiday husbandry needs and to respond to facility emergencies related to animal health and facility infrastructure
• Tasks as assigned by supervisor
• Perform all other duties as assigned to support the mission of Baylor University
• Comply with University policies
• Maintain regular and punctual attendance

Requirements

• A High School Diploma is required.
• A Bachelor's Degree and five years of relevant work experience, especially in handling laboratory rodents, is preferred.
• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Generous time off
• Tuition remission
• Outstanding automatic retirement contributions