Lab Animal Caretaker - Comparative Medicine Services

The Office of University Research and Innovation (OURI) advances Tufts University's research, scholarship, and innovation enterprise by providing high-quality services and strategic support to faculty, research staff, and students; strengthening the University's capacity to secure external funding; fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; and safeguarding Tufts' institutional interests through effective oversight, stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Working in close partnership with University leadership, academic and administrative units, and external collaborators, OURI develops and supports strategic initiatives that enhance research excellence, expand institutional capabilities, and position Tufts for continued growth and impact. The Office also helps translate research discoveries and intellectual property into societal and economic benefit through commercialization, startup formation, industry engagement, and strategic partnerships.

OURI's responsibilities span the full research and innovation lifecycle, including pre-award administration of grants and contracts; research development and support for proposal preparation, funding strategies, and strategic research initiatives; protection, management, and licensing of University intellectual property; and oversight of research involving human participants, animals, and hazardous materials. OURI also provides leadership in environmental health and safety and supports institutional compliance and risk management in areas including conflicts of interest, research security and export controls, research integrity, and applicable federal, state, and University requirements.

Through these interconnected functions, OURI provides the infrastructure, expertise, and institutional stewardship necessary to support a research environment in which scholarship, discovery, innovation, entrepreneurship, and responsible research practices can thrive.

Tufts Comparative Medicine Services (CMS) provides facilities, services, and information to facilitate effective research using laboratory animals at Tufts University and Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston and Tufts University in Medford. CMS is also obligated to ensure that animal care procedures and animal experimentation comply with federal, state, and local regulations. The management and operation of animal care activities are integral to the animal care and use program. All centralized facilities are located within a 2-block radius, either in Boston or Medford, housing more than 40,000 animals daily.

The Laboratory Animal Caretaker, under the supervision of the Animal Care Supervisors, will be responsible for the daily husbandry of laboratory animals, the monitoring of room environment, the sanitation of the facilities, and the maintenance of associated equipment.

Husbandry

• Changes animals on a scheduled basis from dirty housing to clean housing per CMS procedures.
• Supplies clean water, food and nesting material during cage change procedures.
• Documents deaths and signs of illness of animals.
• Performs general cleaning of facility (animal rooms, hallways, storerooms, etc), including sweeping, mopping, dusting, and scrubbing.

Monitoring

• Monitors environment in animal rooms, including temperature, relative humidity, lighting, etc.
• Monitors and reports failure of cagewash, autoclave and other equipment.

Other

• Move heavy equipment associated with the housing and care of laboratory animals.
  
• Euthanize animals.
  
• Perform other duties as set by supervisor.

Basic Requirements:

Knowledge and experience typically acquired by:

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Must be able to read, write and understand verbal, as well as written instructions.
• Must be able to work under conditions of animal odors, heat and humidity from cage washing rooms, and biohazardous materials and chemicals used in research.
• Must be able to lift and carry weights of approximately 50 pounds.
• Must be able to work with a variety of research animals, including rodents, dogs, pigs, cats, rabbits, ruminants and ferrets.
• Upon proper training, must be able to euthanize animals.

Special Work Schedule Requirements:
Schedule is in-person Monday-Friday 6am-2:30pm, with some weekend and holiday requirements.