Job Description

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. Other duties include routine maintenance, animal handling and restraint, and assumes full responsibility and accountability for performance and documentation of all assigned functions for all the various animal species housed in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, AAALAC- International, our company's Worldwide policy on Animal care and Use, and all federal state, and local regulations, as well as Standard Operating Procedures and If applicable, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs) and current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Receives, records, inventories, checks, and ships/ delivers animals, supplies, caging, and animal products, equipment, and materials within and outside the assigned group/ area. Candidate must have AALAS certification level ALAT or higher.

• 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.  
• 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.
• 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.

Educational Requirements:

• High School Diploma
• ALAT certification is required before placement.

MSJR

EligibleforERP

Required Skills:

Animal Care, Animal Handling, Animal Husbandry, Animal Welfare, Good Laboratory Practices (GLPs), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Laboratory Animal Sciences, Registered Laboratory Animal Technologist (RLATG), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), Working with Animals

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

US and Puerto Rico Residents Only:

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities. Please click here if you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.  As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.  For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

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EEOC GINA Supplement​

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

San Francisco Residents Only: We will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records for employment in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Los Angeles Residents Only: We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully

Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails.

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

No relocation

VISA Sponsorship:

No

Travel Requirements:

No Travel Required

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

1st - Day

Valid Driving License:

No

Hazardous Material(s):

n/a

Job Posting End Date:

09/29/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.