Research Support and Veterinary Services Technician

Colorado State University, United States

Updated: over 1 year ago
Location: Fort Collins, COLORADO
Deadline: 19 Sep 2022

Posting Details
Posting Detail Information


Working Title Research Support and Veterinary Services Technician
Position Location Fort Collins, CO
Is this position eligible for hybrid or remote work?
Research Professional Position Yes
Posting Number 202201333AP
Position Type Admin Professional/ Research Professional
Classification Title Research Associate II
Number of Vacancies
Work Hours/Week 40
Proposed Annual Salary Range $40,000 - $53,500
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University (CSU) is committed to providing employees with a strong and competitive benefits package that supports you, your health, and your family. Visit CSU’s Human Resources website for detailed benefit plan information for permanent full-time and part-time faculty and administrative professional employees in the following University benefit areas: https://hr.colostate.edu/hr-community-and-supervisors/benefits/benefits-eligibility/ & https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/our-perks/ .
Desired Start Date
Position End Date (if temporary)
To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11:59pm (MT) on 09/19/2022
Description of Work Unit
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. This position fulfills 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
CSU LAR manages over 48,000 ft of AAALAC-accredited research animal facilities on three campuses, including Main Campus, Veterinary Medical Center, and the Judson M. Harper Complex. Research and teaching activities supported by LAR include infectious disease research, including ABSL3 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. This position is a full-time, 12-month administrative professional position that will be integral to facilitating research activities at CSU that utilize animal models.
The Research Support and Veterinary Services Technician position will fulfill the roles of providing Research Support services primarily involving rodents, Technical Services assistance with all species, and animal use Training assistance in support of the LAR department, staff, investigators, and associates.
The Research Support role will provide breeding management assistance to investigator managed rodent colonies and will also provide peri-operative support to investigators to include pre and post-operative surgical care and planning, as well as surgical procedure assistance and anesthesia management.
The Technical Services duties will include managing equipment and medication inventory; providing research and clinical case support and records management for a wide variety of animal species; assessing animal welfare and reporting appropriately; assisting in anesthesia and clinical procedures; and assisting in Rodent Health and Colony Management duties.
The Training assistant duties will include supporting the LAR Training Coordinator in implementing the LAR Training Program for investigators and staff. This involves teaching handling and common experimental procedures for a wide variety of animal species in multiple formats including group and individual training, online/virtual, and written.
The Research Support and Technical Services work required of this position is physical, and entails standing, bending, lifting, carrying up to 50 pounds, repetitive motions, and some duties outside of normal work hours. Work occurs in various environments including outdoors, close quarters, increased heat and humidity, loud volumes, and dusty surroundings. Technical services staff also work with hazards such as gas anesthetics, radiological imaging modalities, and compressed gas cylinders. Some research at CSU involves infectious diseases and the biosecurity and the safety of staff is ensured 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 technical services staff 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
  • Research Associate I + 3 years experience or B.S./B.A. degree + 3 years professional experience or Master’s degree.
  • Must have a valid driver’s license or the ability to obtain a driver’s license or access to a licensed driver by the employment start date.
Preferred Job Qualifications
  • Experience working with a variety of animal species, with an emphasis on rodents
  • AALAS certification (LAT or LATg), and/or a credentialed Veterinary Technician (LVT, RVT, or CVT)
  • Experience with rodent breeding management and surgery/anesthesia.
  • Experience or training related to ABSL2 and ABSL3 biocontainment
  • Experience performing animal medical assessments and monitoring health conditions.
  • Experience providing veterinary directed care and treatments to animals, including injections and blood collection.
  • Experience performing animal husbandry (providing food, water, enrichment, cleaning, sanitation, etc.)
  • Experience following SOPs, protocols, or other procedural guidelines
  • Experience with generating and maintaining records such as medical, inventory, maintenance logs, etc.
  • Experience performing techniques common to research animals
  • Experience in training others to perform animal research techniques.
Diversity Statement
Reflecting departmental and institutional values, candidates are expected to have the ability to advance the Department’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Essential Duties


Job Duty Category Research Support Technician
Duty/Responsibility
  • Management of specific investigator rodent (primarily mouse) breeding colonies including mating, weaning, genotyping, and culling as warranted based on approved investigator protocols.
  • Communicating with investigators regarding ongoing needs of the various colonies and experimental projects in order to provide accurate and necessary animal support.
  • Provide pre and post-operative care of rodents, including recovery monitoring, welfare assessments, and medication administration based on approved protocols.
  • Provide surgical and anesthetic assistance to investigators, including induction, maintenance.
Percentage Of Time 50%
Job Duty Category Technical Services Support
Duty/Responsibility
  • Assist with the coordination and performance of technical services for research studies such as rabbit antibody production, anesthesia of large and small animals, pre and post-operative care, blood sample collection, oral gavaging, and injections.
  • Provide timely and effective customer communication, both written and verbal, in the course of all duties.
  • Assist in the provision of specialized husbandry services as needed for surgical and anesthesia projects, including after-hours treatments and care when needed.
  • Assist in the estimating and tracking of associated Technical Services, Supplies, and Equipment charges, with timely submission of documents to the Business Office.
  • Assist in rodent breeding and healthcare procedures as directed by Rodent Health and Colony Management Technician.
Percentage Of Time 30%
Job Duty Category Training Services Assistance
Duty/Responsibility
  • Assist the Training Coordinator with workshops, which may include: Basic Research Techniques, Rodent Necropsy, Rodent Anesthesia, Basic Research Techniques with Rats, Basic Research Techniques with Guinea pigs, and protocol specific technical training. Training includes: handling, restraint, identification, injections, blood collection, oral gavage, cardiac blood collections, and euthanasia. 
  • Work with PI’s and research associates to design and deliver protocol specific training on a case by case basis.
  • Assist Training Coordinator in providing hands on training as well as skills assessments to ensure proficiency in research animal techniques.
Percentage Of Time 20%

Application Details


Special Instructions to Applicants
For full consideration, please apply by 9/19/22 with a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification of candidates.
Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires), Valid Driver’s License
Search Contact [email protected]
EEO Statement
Colorado State University is committed to providing an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based on race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or pregnancy in its employment, programs, services and activities, and admissions, and, in certain circumstances, marriage to a co-worker. The University will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. Colorado State University is an equal opportunity and equal access institution and affirmative action employer fully committed to achieving a diverse workforce and complies with all Federal and Colorado State laws, regulations, and executive orders regarding non-discrimination and affirmative action. The Office of Equal Opportunity is located in 101 Student Services.
The Title IX Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Title IX Programs and Gender Equity, 123 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-1715, [email protected] .
The Section 504 and ADA Coordinator is the Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, CO 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
The Coordinator for any other forms of misconduct prohibited by the University’s Policy on Discrimination and Harassment is the Vice President for Equity, Equal Opportunity and Title IX, 101 Student Services Building, Fort Collins, Co. 80523-0160, (970) 491-5836, [email protected] .
Any person may report sex discrimination under Title IX to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education .
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 for the finalist before a final offer. 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.

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