Animal Research Technician

Animal Research Technician

Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members:

• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
• Texas A&M AgriLife Research
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University
• Texas A&M Forest Service
• Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory

As the nation's largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service.

Position Information

We are seeking a detail-oriented Animal Research Technician to support the breeding, colony maintenance, and genotyping of multiple genetically distinct laboratory mouse strains to advance biomedical research. This position ensures the health and welfare of animals while maintaining accurate colony records and efficiently managing various projects and different breeding schemes. This position requires the ability to assist with mouse dissection and tissue collection. The role requires attention to detail, reliability, and the ability to follow established protocols within a regulated research environment.

Responsibilities:

• Breeding Colony Management
• Monitor breeding performance including plug checks, pregnancies, and litter outcomes
• Wean pups at appropriate ages and separate by sex
• Manage colony structure including expansion, retirement, and strain-specific breeding strategies
• Monitor general animal health during routine handling and breeding activities
• Maintains Sanitary Conditions
• Observes animal conditions and behavior

• Record Keeping and Colony Management Systems
• Maintain accurate electronic and/or paper-based colony records
• Update cage cards, breeding logs, and strain lineage information
• Track colony inventory including strain distribution and cage counts
• Ensure data integrity and compliance with institutional record-keeping standards
• Communicate colony status updates with research staff as needed

• Genotyping and Sample Processing
• Collect tissue samples (e.g., ear punches or tail snips) for genotyping
• Dissect and collect tissues from mice being used in studies
• Label, organize, and track samples for downstream genetic analysis
• Support PCR/genotyping workflows in coordination with research staff
• Ensure accurate linkage of genotype data to colony records and individual animals

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Two years of related experience in animal husbandry.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of animal handling techniques.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively to ensure understanding.
• Ability to learn and apply mouse breeding colony management procedures and animal handling techniques.
• Ability to learn and follow laboratory protocols, standard operating procedures, and institutional guidelines.
• Ability to learn sample collection, processing, and genotyping workflows.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and enter data into electronic tracking systems.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Preferred experience working with laboratory mice in a research or vivarium setting.
• Preferred experience managing or maintaining mouse breeding colonies.
• Preferred experience collecting tissue samples for genotyping or downstream analysis.
• Preferred experience or familiarity with PCR-based genotyping techniques and sample tracking procedures.

Other Requirements: Position requires regular work with laboratory mice in a research setting. Employee must be able to work in an animal facility environment and comply with all institutional animal care and use policies and procedures. Position requires successful completion of all required animal handling, biosafety, and occupational health training. Ability to exert heavy force.

Why Work at Texas A&M AgriLife?

When you choose to work for Texas A&M AgriLife, you become part of an organization that is an established leader in agriculture and life sciences with a wide range of capabilities to meet the needs of our statewide, national, and international constituents.

In addition, Texas A&M AgriLife offers a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

Applicant Instructions

Applications received by Texas A&M AgriLife must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to prepopulate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution's verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution's procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.