Perform advanced husbandry and technical tasks for research rodents, including daily care, health monitoring, and facility sanitation. Lead colony management efforts such as breeding schemes, weaning, and coordinating genotyping samples.
Requirements summary
Requires an Associate's or Bachelor's degree in a related science field and at least 6 years of hands-on rodent vivarium experience in an industry setting. Proficiency in breeding, genotyping, and electronic recordkeeping is essential.
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What you will contribute to altos
The Senior Animal Care Technician is a key member of the vivarium operations team. This position will perform advanced husbandry and technical tasks and serve as a lead resource for the vivarium team. In addition to mastering all duties associated with ACT I and II, this role combines hands-on daily animal care with specialized expertise in room-level colony management, complex health monitoring, and the intake of new animal arrivals.
Key Responsibilities
Animal Care, Welfare & Vivarium Operations
Perform and oversee daily husbandry for research animals (rodents), including:
Cage changing, bedding and enrichment, feed and water provision
Room cleaning and rack/equipment sanitation according to SOPs.
Perform routine animal observations and basic measurements as needed, including:
Weighing animals according to study or health-monitoring schedules.
Changing or providing special/experimental diets, medicated feed, and water treatments as directed by veterinary staff or study protocols.
Conduct and review daily health and welfare checks; promptly escalate concerns (e.g., illness, injury, abnormal behavior, weight loss) to veterinary and supervisory staff.
Maintain species-appropriate environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, lighting, enrichment) in accordance with institutional and regulatory standards.
Assist with and, where appropriate, coordinate animal receipt, identification, housing assignments, and transfers, ensuring proper acclimation and accurate records.
Operate and perform routine care on cage-wash machines, autoclaves, and related equipment; report issues promptly and support facility readiness for inspections and audits.
Adhere to biosafety and biosecurity procedures (PPE, traffic flow, barrier practices) to maintain a safe and compliant environment.
Plan, set up, and monitor rodent breeding schemes (pairs/trios) in alignment with requests and colony objectives.
Perform timely weaning, sexing, and identification of pups; ensure appropriate group housing and minimize stress.
Collect tissue samples for genotyping (e.g., ear punches, tail tips, or other IACUC-approved methods) following welfare-focused best practices.
Coordinate submission of genotyping samples to external vendors; ensure accurate sample labeling, documentation, and chain-of-custody.
Record breeding events, litters, weaning, animal assignments, diet changes (if tracked), and genotyping results in colony management software (e.g., SoftMouse or similar platforms).
Maintain accurate genotype and lineage records; reconcile discrepancies between expected and observed genotypes and communicate impacts on study timelines and colony plans.
Support investigators in ensuring timely availability of correctly genotyped animals for experiments and in optimizing colony size to meet demand while minimizing surplus animals.
Documentation, Compliance & Health Monitoring
Accurately document all relevant activities, including husbandry tasks, health observations, body weights, mortality, breeding events, diet changes, and environmental monitoring in designated paper or electronic systems.
Support institutional health surveillance programs through appropriate sample handling and reporting.
Follow IACUC-approved protocols, SOPs, and institutional guidelines for animal care, breeding, genotyping, diet changes, and handling; identify and report potential deviations.
Communication
Communicate clearly and promptly with veterinary staff, Vivarium manager, and research personnel regarding animal health, body weight trends, colony status, diet changes, room conditions, and any operational issues or deviations.
Collaborate with colleagues to coordinate daily and weekly work assignments, ensure adequate coverage, and maintain consistent standards across rooms and functional areas.
Who you are
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science, Biology, Laboratory Animal Science, or a related field (or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience).
Minimum 6+ years of hands-on rodent vivarium experience in an industry setting (biotech, pharma, CRO, or other fast-paced, highly regulated research environment).
Demonstrated proficiency with:
Daily husbandry, health monitoring, environmental checks, and weighing of animals.
Rodent breeding, weaning, and sexing.
Collection of samples for genotyping and management of resulting data.
Implementing and documenting special diets or medicated feed/water as directed.
Strong attention to detail, organization, and documentation skills, including electronic recordkeeping.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team-based, SOP-driven environment, including participation in weekend/holiday rotations as required.
Preferred Qualifications
AALAS certification (ALAT, LAT, or higher) or equivalent.
Experience using colony management software such as SoftMouse, Mosaic, or similar tools for tracking breeding, genotyping, and animal use.
Familiarity with AAALAC accreditation standards and IACUC processes
The salary range for San Diego, CA • Senior Animal Care Technician
$76,800 - $98,400
Exact compensation may vary based on skills, experience, and location.
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Equal opportunity employment
We value collaboration and scientific excellence.
We believe that a culture of belonging are foundational to scientific innovation and inquiry. At Altos Labs, exceptional scientists and industry leaders from around the world work together to advance a shared mission. Our intentional focus is on Belonging, so that all employees know that they are valued for their unique perspectives. We are all accountable for sustaining an inclusive environment.
Altos Labs provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Altos prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Thank you for your interest in Altos Labs where we strive for a culture of scientific excellence, learning, and belonging.
