BiologyNeuroscience Technician

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socioeconomic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Biology/Neuroscience Technician (Animal Care Technician) position. The Biology/Neuroscience Technician is a fulltime yearround position with a salary of $2528 per hour depending on experience. Given Amhersts distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Maintenance of vertebrate and invertebrate animals and animal care facilities according to federal standards regulating the care and use of laboratory animals. Duties also include ordering supplies maintaining relevant equipment and keeping accurate records and protocols. The position is considered essential and requires weekend holiday and offhour coverage.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Care and maintenance of vertebrates and invertebrates including aquatic and terrestrial animals

• Clean cages tanks and the facilities in which animals are housed

• Establish breeding pairs of animals as requested and transferring young as appropriate

• Oversee rodent colony maintenance and perform health assessments on research animals including handling weaning and euthanasia when necessary

• Oversee the operation and maintenance of zebrafish and sea anemone facilities including transgenic and wild type lines

• Maintain and regularly update standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the care of animals and the operation of relevant equipment (e.g. cage washer and fish system pump room)

• Maintain accurate records of all research animals

• Order food bedding aquarium supplies and cleaning supplies as needed

• Train and supervise student assistants to handle animal room duties while employee is on vacation or other leave and off days

• Maintain mechanical equipment related to animal housing (e.g. tank equipment sea water mixing systems fish filtration systems)

• Monitor and report on animal room conditions (lighting temperature humidity)

• Monitor and report on animal health and work with attending veterinarian to provide aid to animals if needed

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED

• 1 to 3 years of experience working with live animals in a laboratory setting

• Experience with basic email word processing and database management software

• A commitment to diversity equity and inclusion and to contributing to an intentionally inclusive community

• Preemployment physical/lift test

• Successful completion of required background and/or reference checks

Preferred

• 35 years of experience working with animals and advanced specialized training including AALAS LAT or ALAT certification

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development continued learning and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

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.