Faculty of Science
Position number: 29839
Date posted: June 25, 2026
Animal Technician - Animal Technician 1 (AESES)
Existing Project Full-Time (Budget Funded)
Salary:
$20.98 to $29.88 per hour ($38,183.60 to $54,381.60 per annum)
Appointment Dates
July 27, 2026 to July 27, 2027
For more information please contact: Trina Kajtar - [email protected]
MINIMUM FORMAL EDUCATION/TRAINING:
- High school completion is required.
- Current standing as an Associate Laboratory Animal Technician with the Canadian Association of Laboratory Animal Science (CALAS), or willingness to obtain certification within three (3) years of employment, is an asset or may be required depending on facility needs.
- Completion of the University of Manitoba online animal ethics and policy training is required prior to working with animals.
EXPERIENCE:
- Two (2) years of directly related experience in animal care or animal husbandry is required.
- Experience working with laboratory animals and/or animals in a research, experimental, production, or wildlife setting is considered an asset.
- An acceptable equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to follow written and verbal instructions and established animal care protocols is required.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with researchers, staff, and others required.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team is required.
- Demonstrated patience, humane care, and sensitivity toward animals is required.
- Ability to safely and humanely handle and restrain small animals is required.
- Ability to perform rodent sexing and routine animal observations is an asset.
- Strong attention to detail and observational skills are required.
- Ability to perform physically demanding work, including lifting up to 25 kg feed bags and working in environments involving animal odors, dander, bedding dust, humidity, and varying temperatures is required.
- Satisfactory work record, including satisfactory attendance and punctuality, is required.
OTHER JOB RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be free from allergies to animals, animal by-products, and cleaning compounds that would interfere with the performance of duties.
- Must maintain a philosophy consistent with the use of animals in research.
- Experience using Labtraks data recording methods preferred.
- Experience using an online purchasing tool preferred.
Animal Husbandry, Care and Health Monitoring
- Perform daily animal husbandry duties, including feeding, watering, cage/bedding changes, tank cleaning, water changes, and all other necessary animal care activities.
- Perform daily wellness checks on all animals and participates in wellness investigations, monitoring, and reporting as required.
- May be responsible for the routine care and maintenance of designated sections of an animal colony.
- Assist in breeding programs, including weaning, weighing, sexing, and maintaining related records and bookkeeping as required.
- Review surgery records and other post-procedure documents to monitor animal health status and post-procedure care requirements.
- Assist with the treatment of animals, including injections, administration of medication, and other routine animal procedures in accordance with established protocols.
- Perform euthanasia of animals and disposal of animal carcasses in accordance with approved procedures and regulatory requirements.
- Perform animal counts, observes animals, updates individual animal and cage records, and reports concerns or problems to senior technical and veterinary staff.
- Assist in setting up holding cages for new animals and receiving new stock.
Facility Operations, Sanitation and Environmental Monitoring
- Sanitize animal cages, animal rooms, and all facility support areas to maintain sanitary and safe conditions in accordance with established procedures.
- Operate cage washer equipment, cleaning and water testing equipment, and equipment involved in aquatic environmental support.
- Check rooms and cages at the beginning and end of the day to ensure the security of animals and the facility.
- Independently monitor and maintain facility operations during weekend shifts, including water quality, mechanical systems, and environmental controls, taking corrective action or escalating concerns as required.
- Perform inventories, check levels of bulk supplies, and notify the supervisor of supply requirements.
Research and Operational Support
- Assists with identifying supplies and animals needed for teaching and research activities.
- Assists in supporting animal and facility requirements for teaching and research activities as assigned.
- Performs other related duties as assigned or required.
The University of Manitoba is committed to the principles of equity, diversity & inclusion and to promoting opportunities in hiring, promotion and tenure (where applicable) for systemically marginalized groups who have been excluded from full participation at the University and the larger community including Indigenous Peoples, women, racialized persons, persons with disabilities and those who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning, intersex, asexual and other diverse sexual identities).
If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] or 204-474-7195. Please note this contact information is for accommodation reasons only.
Application materials, including letters of reference, will be handled in accordance with the protection of privacy provisions of "The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act" (Manitoba). Please note that curriculum vitae will be provided to participating members of the search process.
