Animal Technician - Level 2
Merck
Summary
The Animal Technician II, under the guidance of a Vivarium manager, works to support innovative translational models to impact drug safety assessment, development and discovery and improve human health. Under the direction of a manager or assigned technical staff within Laboratory Animal Resources, Nonclinical Drug Safety, and Veterinary Products the Animal/Laboratory Technician performs animal care related functions.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Follows written assignments for husbandry in rodents, small and large animals, has proficiency in animal handling, experience in restraint for husbandry and clinical care.
- Husbandry activities will include but not be limited to: routine feeding, health assessment, cage change and room disinfection, restraint for husbandry and study purposes.
- Accurate record keeping, captured manually and electronically.
- Receipt, housing and identification.
- Independently carries out duties related to husbandry, restraint for dose and sampling, laboratory housekeeping, organization of supplies, rack and tunnel washer operation.
- Assists with training of peers, ensures completion and quality of daily assignment, and provides feedback on vivarium operations.
- Performs duties related to the care, health, maintenance, security and safety of animals which may require full gowning and adherence to biosecurity practices.
- Ensures that physical facilities and equipment are operating correctly in order to maintain proper environmental conditions.
- Maintains records applicable to animal husbandry procedures as assigned and assumes complete responsibility by certifying their completion through self-inspection.
The ideal candidate will be comfortable working independently or in teams. Must have the ability to follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and or current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Some areas require adherence to strict biosecurity measures, frequent showering and full gowning.
Requirements
- High school diploma
- AALAS certification level ALAT or higher required before placement
- Proficiency in animal handling and restraint for husbandry and clinical care
- Ability to follow Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and/or current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
- Accurate record keeping, manual and electronic
- Comfortable working independently or in teams
- Adherence to strict biosecurity measures, frequent showering and full gowning
Company overview
Merck & Co., Inc., known as Merck in the United States and Canada and MSD (Merck Sharp & Dohme) internationally, is a premier American multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Rahway, New Jersey. Founded in 1891 as the U.S. subsidiary of the German Merck Group, the company became independent following World War I and has since grown into one of the world's largest biomedical companies, ranking fourth globally by revenue. Merck operates across three core business segments: pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and animal health products. The company is renowned for its groundbreaking research and development, having brought numerous life-saving medicines to market including Keytruda (pembrolizumab), a leading immunotherapy for cancer treatment that generated $29.5 billion in 2024 revenue, and Gardasil, a revolutionary HPV vaccine. With approximately 75,000 employees worldwide, Merck maintains a robust pipeline of innovative therapies focused on oncology, vaccines, hospital acute care, cardiology, neuroscience, virology, immunology, and diabetes. The company invests heavily in R&D, spending $17.9 billion in 2024 alone, demonstrating its commitment to advancing scientific discovery. Merck's legacy spans over 130 years of bringing hope to humanity through important medicines and vaccines, operating with a purpose to use leading-edge science to save and improve lives globally while fostering an inclusive workforce and responsible business practices.