R&D Animal Lab Technician

Job Title: Animal Husbandry Technician

Job Description

The Animal Husbandry Technician cares for laboratory mice and rats while supporting research and product development activities within an animal laboratory and main laboratory environment. This role combines daily animal care with hands-on laboratory work, including product testing, formulation support, and documentation in accordance with standard operating procedures and Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs). The technician helps ensure that all studies, records, and samples meet regulatory and internal quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily care for mice and rats, including feeding, watering, and monitoring their health and behavior.
• Oversee and execute the feeding, watering, and routine observation of laboratory rodents to ensure their well-being and compliance with study protocols.
• Oversee and execute the cleaning of all equipment associated with the care of rodents, ensuring a sanitary and safe environment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and compliant animal laboratory, including animal rooms, equipment, and support areas.
• Follow all animal laboratory standard operating procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), and other applicable laboratory guidelines.
• Evaluate new and alternative raw materials to improve existing products and to support the development of new products.
• Investigate and test new product formulations, packaging, and novel pest control devices in a controlled laboratory setting.
• Create formula mixing sheets and produce pilot-scale batches to support product development and testing activities.
• Conduct non-GLP palatability and efficacy studies to assess product performance in laboratory rodents.
• Organize and conduct standard EPA product performance testing, ensuring that relevant phases of studies are executed according to protocols, SOPs, and GLP requirements.
• Ensure that all phases of assigned studies are conducted and records are maintained in accordance with study protocols, SOPs, and GLP requirements.
• Inform the R&D manager immediately of any deviations from SOPs or study protocols and document such deviations as required.
• Assist in drafting new study protocols, including study design and methodology, in collaboration with research and development personnel.
• Compile and analyze study results, summarizing findings for internal stakeholders and regulatory submissions.
• Prepare final study reports for both corporate records and regulatory bodies, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and completeness.
• Communicate in a timely manner all relevant information regarding formulations, project status, raw material research, and study results to the R&D manager and other departments as directed.
• Ensure that all logs related to test substances, samples, equipment calibration and maintenance, room records, and other study documents are current, accurate, and complete.
• Ensure that all samples are properly identified, labeled, stored, and dispatched in a timely manner according to GLP requirements.
• Prepare samples of pilot mixes and finished goods for external submission to third-party laboratories, following established procedures.
• Lead the scale-up process from pilot laboratory batches to production-sized batches, coordinating closely with production and quality teams.
• Maintain a current inventory of all laboratory chemicals and associated Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), ensuring proper storage and documentation.
• Maintain the 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.
• Hands-on experience with handling mice and rats, including routine care, restraint, and observation.
• Demonstrated animal handling skills, particularly with laboratory rodents, in a research or laboratory environment.
• Knowledge of biology or microbiology principles applicable to laboratory and animal research work.
• Ability to follow and apply laboratory SOPs, GLP requirements, and regulatory guidelines in daily work.
• Strong attention to detail in maintaining logs, records, and study documentation.
• Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks in a laboratory setting, including animal care and study-related activities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for reporting results and communicating project status.
• Capability to perform basic laboratory techniques, including mixing formulations and preparing pilot-scale batches.
• Comfort working with pest control products and related raw materials in a controlled laboratory environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience conducting non-GLP studies, such as palatability and efficacy testing, is beneficial.
• Familiarity with EPA product performance testing and regulatory study requirements is an advantage.
• Experience preparing and scaling up formulations from pilot to production-sized batches is preferred.
• Prior exposure to maintaining project databases and organized file systems for laboratory and field studies is helpful.
• Experience working with Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) and managing chemical inventories is advantageous.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with R&D, production, and other internal departments.
• Strong organizational skills for maintaining a clean and efficient animal and main laboratory environment.

Work Environment

The role is based primarily in an animal laboratory area where mice and rats are housed and cared for, as well as in a main laboratory where product formulations and studies are conducted. The technician also spends time in an office setting for documentation, data analysis, and communication with other departments. Work is performed on a first-shift schedule, Monday through Friday, with a start time typically between 7:00 am and 8:00 am, for a standard 40-hour workweek. Additional work of an hour or two may be required when studies are actively being performed. The environment involves routine interaction with laboratory animals, pest control products, raw materials, and standard laboratory equipment, with an emphasis on cleanliness, organization, and adherence to safety and GLP requirements.

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 25, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.