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Research Associate Animal Technician - Open Pool

Colorado State University

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO, USA
USD 44,827-69,327 / year
Posted on Apr 11, 2025
Apply now

Research Associate Animal Technician - Open Pool

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This is an open pool, and applicants will be contacted when a position becomes available.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume that address how the applicant's experiences align with the minimum and preferred qualifications. Three professional references are required, including e-mail addresses.

References will not be contacted without prior notification of the candidate. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

This open pool is valid through April 1, 2026. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

Posting Details

Posting Detail Information
Working Title Research Associate Animal Technician - Open Pool
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Work Location Position is fully in-office/in-person
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202500500AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week
Proposed Annual Salary Range $44,827 - $69,327
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 04/01/2026
Description of Work Unit
Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

The mission of Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) is to use our expertise to provide the highest standard of care for laboratory animals in support of the Colorado State University research community. These positions fulfill a vital role in the administration of LAR to carry out this mission. CSU LAR manages over 48,000 ft. of AAALAC accredited research animal facilities on three campuses, including Main Campus, South Campus, and Foothills Campus. Research and teaching activities supported by LAR include infectious disease research, including ABSL work using select agents, cancer biology, hibernation, nutrition, and metabolism studies, orthopedic research, therapeutics, toxicology and teaching activities to support a diverse program of learning. LAR exists to provide state of the art care and support for the animal models component of these studies.
Position Summary
Research Associate Animal Technician positions are available throughout the year in Laboratory Animal Resources (LAR) at Colorado State University. These positions are full-time, 12 month administrative professional positions that will be integral to facilitating research activities at CSU that utilize animal models.

This position provides routine and specialized care for a variety of laboratory animal species. Animal welfare and assessments, animal husbandry and room and cage sanitation are the primary job duties for this position. Additional duties include record keeping and communication tasks as well as research support.

Animal husbandry work is physical, and entails standing, bending, lifting, and carrying up to 50 pounds, and repetitive motions. Staff work in various environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity and dusty surroundings. Some of the research at CSU involves infectious diseases. We ensure biosecurity and the safety of our staff by requiring personal protective equipment (such as respirators and Tyvek suits), tuberculosis testing, vaccinations and showering. CSU has a large variety of animal species, and applicants must be willing and able to work with all types of animals. Staff are expected to work safely, and adhere to all safety instructions and rules at all times.
Required Job Qualifications
  • High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent.
  • 6+ months of professional or volunteer experience performing vertebrate animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, and sanitation).
  • Must have a valid driver’s license and pass an annual motor vehicle check to drive department owned vehicles.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience working with a variety of animal species.
  • Experience working in a research setting, biomedical research preferred.
  • American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) certification (Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT), Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATg)).
  • Experience or training related to Animal Biosafety Level 2 (ABSL2) and Animal Biosafety Level 3 (ABSL3) biocontainment.
  • Experience performing animal welfare assessment and monitoring environmental conditions.
  • 1+ year’s professional or volunteer experience performing vertebrate animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, sanitation, etc.) with multiple animal species.
  • Experience following SOP’s, protocols or other procedural guidelines.
  • Experience with generating and maintaining records such as medical, inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
  • A degree in a related field such as animal sciences, veterinary technology, zoology, etc.
Essential Duties
Job Duty Category Animal Welfare and Environment Assessments
Duty/Responsibility
  • Perform daily animal welfare checks to assess animal behavior and well-being.
  • Identify and report any abnormalities to the veterinary staff and/or research staff.
  • Assist in treatments as directed by the veterinary staff. Perform routine procedures such as weighing animals, nail/hoof trims, etc. as outlined in the LAR SOPs as appropriate for the given species and research application.
  • Euthanize or assist in euthanizing animals as directed.
  • Perform room/stall environment checks daily including recording temperature and humidity, overall room condition, and room/stall sanitation.
  • Participates in training new animal husbandry staff for this and all job duties.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Animal Husbandry
Duty/Responsibility
  • Perform routine husbandry including providing appropriate feed and water and housing conditions.
  • These duties are performed as outlined in the LAR animal care SOPs as appropriate for the given species and research/teaching application.
  • Prepare room/barn for incoming animals.
  • Prepare and stock animal rooms with feed, water and other supplies as directed, and in particular for weekend coverage.
  • Assure the appropriate cage cards are in place to accurately track animal numbers.
  • Count animals based upon protocol, project, cage card, or other parameters for regulatory and billing purposes.
  • These duties may be performed in an Animal Biosafety Level 3 containment area.
  • Follow biosecurity practices to minimize cross contamination.
Percentage Of Time 30
Job Duty Category Room and Cage Sanitation
Duty/Responsibility
  • Using the appropriate disinfectants and cleaning agents, disinfect and sanitize in and around animal holding areas prior to receipt of animals and on a scheduled basis as outlined in the LAR SOPs as appropriate for the given species.
  • Perform quality assurance standards to assess adequacy of disinfectants.
  • Work with sterilized equipment taking precautions to avoid cross contamination.
  • Work in the cage wash rooms; process dirty cages and other materials (dirty side).
  • Work safely with the cage wash machines and chemicals in accordance with SOPs.
  • Process and store clean cages and other materials (clean side).
Percentage Of Time 20
Job Duty Category Record Keeping and Communication
Duty/Responsibility
  • Complete daily records for animal husbandry duties and medical treatments.
  • Submit electronic medical records and work orders as needed and in a timely manner.
  • Maintain appropriate feed and disinfectant logs to track regular usage to assure materials are used within the appropriate amount of time.
  • Complete records as needed for various assurances to animal welfare regulatory agencies the IACUC, Good Laboratory Practices.
  • Maintain appropriate communications with research staff, supervisors, veterinarians and coworkers.
  • Attend regularly scheduled staff and research meetings, and continuing education events.
  • Check work e-mail daily, and remain current with occupational health and training requirements.
Percentage Of Time 15
Job Duty Category Research Support
Duty/Responsibility
  • Assist with common research procedures as requested such as substance administration, collection, genotyping, and post-operative care.
Percentage Of Time 5
Application Details
Special Instructions to Applicants
This is an open pool, and applicants will be contacted when a position becomes available.

Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume that address how the applicant’s experiences align with the minimum and preferred qualifications. Three professional references are required, including e-mail addresses.

References will not be contacted without prior notification of the candidate. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

This open pool is valid through April 1, 2026. Applicants wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)
Search Contact Ashley.Imperia@colostate.edu
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested

References Requested
Minimum Requested 3
Maximum Requested 3

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * This position requires working in varying environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity, and dusty surroundings. Are you willing and able to work under these conditions?
    • Yes
    • No
  2. * The normal schedule for this position is Monday - Friday. However, weekend and holiday shifts are required on a rotating basis. Are you willing and able to work this schedule when necessary?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * This position requires physical work including standing all day, bending, lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds, and repetitive motions. Are you willing and able to work under these conditions?
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * We have animals on three different campuses and at times have to drive to multiple campuses in a single shift. Do you have reliable transportation so that you can meet this requirement?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * To be in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and the Policy on Humane Care of Laboratory Animals, this position is considered "essential personnel" meaning that employees are expected to report to work even in the event of a snow closure. Are you willing and able to meet this requirement?
    • Yes
    • No
  6. * To meet the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories Guidelines, this position will require showering, sometime multiple times in one shift. Are you willing to meet this job requirement?
    • Yes
    • No
  7. * Some infectious disease research requires us to wear personal protective equipment including respirators (N-95 and PAPR), and hazmat (Tyvek) type suites. Are you willing to work with biohazards and wear this type of equipment while working?
    • Yes
    • No
  8. * We work with a large variety of animals including rodents, livestock, dogs, cats, bats, snakes, marmots, deer, and others. Are you willing and able to work with every animal species that you encounter?
    • Yes
    • No
  9. * Do you have at least 6 months of professional or volunteer experience performing vertebrate animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, and sanitation)?
    • Yes
    • No
  10. * Do you have a High School Diploma, General Education Development (GED) or equivalent?
    • Yes
    • No
  11. * Do you have a valid driver’s license and are you able to pass an annual motor vehicle check to drive department owned vehicles?
    • Yes
    • No
  12. * To meet the recommendations of the Occupational Health and Safety in the Care and Use of Research Animals, this position requires a Tuberculosis test once a year and vaccines are required as needed. Please affirm your knowledge that this is a condition of employment.
    • Yes, I affirm.
  13. * Shaving facial hair is required for annual N95 mask fit testing so the mask can properly seal to the contour of your face. I understand and am willing to meet this requirement.
    • Yes
    • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume or CV
Optional Documents
Apply now
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