Animal Husbandry Technician

Job Title: R&D Biologist

Job Description

The R&D Biologist cares for laboratory rodents and supports research and development activities focused on pest control products. This role combines daily animal care with laboratory testing, formulation work, and documentation to ensure studies follow established protocols, standard operating procedures, and regulatory guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for mice and rats, including feeding, watering, and monitoring their health and behavior.

• Oversee and execute the cleaning and sanitation of all equipment associated with the care of rodents.

• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant animal laboratory environment at all times.

• Follow all animal laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and related guidelines.

• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials to improve existing pest control products and to support the development of new products.

• Investigate and test new product formulations, packaging, and novel pest control devices.

• Create formula mixing sheets and produce pilot-scale batches of formulations.

• Conduct non-GLP palatability and efficacy studies on test products.

• Organize and conduct standard EPA product performance testing in accordance with protocols, SOPs, and GLP requirements.

• Ensure that all relevant phases of studies are conducted and documented in compliance with protocols and regulatory expectations.

• Immediately inform the R&D manager of any deviations from SOPs or study protocols.

• Assist in drafting new study protocols and contribute to the design of laboratory and field support studies.

• Compile and analyze study results and assist in preparing final reports for internal records and regulatory submissions.

• Communicate in a timely manner all information regarding formulations, project status, raw material research, and study results to the R&D manager and other departments as directed.

• Ensure all logs for test substances, samples, equipment calibration and maintenance, room records, and other study documents are current, accurate, and complete.

• Ensure all samples are properly identified, stored, and dispatched in a timely manner in accordance with GLPs.

• Prepare samples of pilot mixes and finished goods for submission to external third-party laboratories as requested.

• Lead the scale-up process from pilot laboratory batches to production-sized batches, coordinating with relevant teams as needed.

• Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all laboratory chemicals and associated Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

• Maintain a non-GLP project database and file cabinet, including documentation for both laboratory and field support studies.

Essential Skills

• Degree in Biology, Microbiology, or a closely related scientific discipline.

• Practical experience handling mice and rats, including safe and humane animal handling techniques.

• Demonstrated ability to follow animal laboratory SOPs, GLPs, and other regulatory guidelines.

• Experience working in a laboratory environment, including basic formulation, mixing, and testing activities.

• Strong attention to detail in maintaining logs, records, and study documentation.

• Ability to organize and conduct product performance tests in accordance with established protocols.

• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting results and communicating project status.

• Ability to maintain a clean, safe, and compliant laboratory and animal care environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Biology or Microbiology with coursework or experience related to animal science or laboratory research.

• Experience conducting non-GLP studies, such as palatability and efficacy evaluations.

• Familiarity with EPA product performance testing requirements and procedures.

• Experience preparing samples and documentation for external laboratory submissions.

• Exposure to scaling up formulations from pilot to production-sized batches.

• Ability to manage and organize chemical inventories and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).

• Experience maintaining project databases and physical study files for laboratory and field support work.

Work Environment

The role is based in an animal laboratory environment, with regular work in both the animal care area and the main laboratory for formulation and testing activities. The technician also spends time in an office setting to complete documentation, data analysis, and reporting. This is a first-shift position, Monday through Friday, with a start time between 7:00 am and 8:00 am, for a standard 40-hour workweek. Occasional additional work of an hour or two may be required when studies are in progress to ensure proper animal care, data collection, and study completion. The environment involves working with laboratory rodents, chemicals, formulations, and standard laboratory equipment, following strict safety, cleanliness, and documentation standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Milwaukee, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50000.00 - $75000.00/yr.

This company offers health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, and a 401k match of $0.75 for every $1.00 up to 6%. They offer 80 hours of PTO prorated the first year based on date of hire, then a full 80 hours in year two (2027), and then 120 hours in year three (2028). They also have a profit sharing potential of up to 15% each year based on overall salary for the year. They also offer 12 holidays.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Milwaukee,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 8, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.