Lab Animal Technician II

Sanford Burnham Prebys

. Maintain research laboratory mouse breeding colonies for multiple PIs/labs under direct supervision of the Breeding Colony Manager .

Posted 9/30/2026full-timeSan Diego • California • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $22 - $27 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates proficiency in laboratory animal husbandry, including breeding colony maintenance, health checks, and technical animal procedures. Possesses strong communication skills for effective collaboration with research PIs and lab contacts while ensuring compliance with animal welfare standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Laboratory Animal ExperienceAnimal Health KnowledgeTechnical Animal ProceduresMicrosoft Office ProficiencyLabTracks Proficiency

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Breeding Colony MaintenanceCage ChangingAnimal Health ChecksMating ProceduresGenotyping TechniquesBlood CollectionIV/IP/IM/SC InjectionsDisease DiagnosisEuthanasia ProceduresRecord Keeping

Soft Skills

Team CollaborationIndependent WorkCommunication SkillsProblem SolvingAttention to Detail

Tools & Technologies

LabTracksMicrosoft OfficeAnimal Use Protocols

Industry Keywords

Animal HusbandryBSL-2Specific Pathogen FreeQuarantineInfectious ContainmentAnimal WelfareResearch SettingHumane CareLaboratory RodentsHealth Status Forms

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Maintain research laboratory mouse breeding colonies for multiple PIs/labs under direct supervision of the Breeding Colony Manager
Perform breeding colony maintenance for approximately 500–800 cages, including cage changing
Change cages according to AF Husbandry SOPs
Perform husbandry for immunocompromised mice and in viral vector BSL-2, quarantine, infectious containment, and Specific Pathogen Free areas as assigned
Complete daily animal health checks, including food and water checks and observations for illness, injury, distress, pregnancies, and new litters
Complete and distribute health status forms to labs
Perform mating, timed mating with vaginal sperm plug checks, litter weaning, ear notching, and tail snip collection for genotyping
Maintain accurate breeding colony records in LabTracks
Communicate with research PIs and lab contacts regarding colony requests, production, non-productive breeders, sick animals, and deceased animals
Update researchers on breeding colony workflow status
Report health concerns to the Attending Veterinarian, Manager, Animal Health Coordinator, and research PI/lab contact
Determine animal-welfare actions, including euthanasia, when direct orders are unavailable
Treat routine conditions such as dermatitis and abrasions; separate aggressive animals and provide enrichment
Read Animal Use Protocols, document special care requirements, and maintain animal and cage census records
Perform authorized technical animal procedures, including blood collection, IV/IP/IM/SC injections, and oral dosing
Assist with cross-training LAT I staff
Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

High School diploma required
Two (2) years progressive lab animal experience required or equivalent education, training and/or experience
Proficiency in handling and restraint of laboratory rodents
Knowledge of animal health, disease control/prevention, and technical procedures
Knowledge of diagnosis and treatment of common laboratory rodent diseases
Professional proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, and LabTracks
Demonstrated interest in humane care, management, and utilization of animals in a research setting
Ability to work independently and in a team environment
Ability to work one of the defined schedules: 6:30-3:00 or 7:00-3:30, Monday through Friday
Willingness to work overtime if necessary
Ability and willingness to work rotating weekends and holidays
Ability to pass a post-employment physical as required by OLAW
Ability to lift or carry up to 50 pounds alone or as part of a team
Ability to work around equipment and machinery, noise, extreme temperatures, humidity, animal dander, dust, gas, fumes, chemicals, and biohazards
Must work onsite in San Diego; out-of-state applicants must disclose willingness to relocate

Benefits

Comp & perks

Institute-supplied scrubs, face mask, shoe covers, hair bonnet, and other task-related personal protective equipment
Reasonable accommodations for the hiring process
Overtime opportunities when necessary to maintain research protocol integrity