Life Sciences Technician

Join Centre College as we recruit exceptional faculty and staff! At Centre, we seek passionate and qualified individuals committed to fostering academic excellence, vibrant community, and inclusive growth. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and ongoing professional development. Our collegial environment values diversity of perspectives, encourages meaningful discourse and celebrates the unique contributions of each community member.

Centre College invites applications for the position of Life Sciences Technician in the Division of Science and Mathematics. This position plays a vital role in supporting undergraduate instruction, faculty research, animal welfare, and greenhouse operations.

The successful candidate will provide daily care and husbandry for a diverse collection of teaching and research animals, prepare laboratories for Life Sciences courses, support faculty and student research, supervise student workers, and manage greenhouse operations during the summer months.

Please submit resume/CV and cover letter with application.

We will begin reviewing applications in October 2026, with the goal of filling the position by November 30, 2026.

Responsible for animal care and husbandry for the Life Sciences Academic Programs,  Life Sciences laboratory preparation, and Greenhouse Management during the summer.  Individual is responsible for supervising undergraduate assistants in these three areas.  Reports to the Chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics.

Primary responsibilities will be in the following three areas:

1. Animal Care and Husbandry

• Provide daily care and follow all daily standard operating procedures associated with laboratory animals in the Biology, and Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, and Psychology programs following OLAW regulations;
• Inspect animal housing and testing rooms and maintain close contact with IACUC Chair to ensure compliance with federal standards and regulations;
• Maintain animal census and animal care and housekeeping records;
• Maintain breeding stock and breed as needed for classes or research needs
• Maintain and perform minor repair of laboratory equipment and animal enclosures;
• Order, stock, distribute, and maintain inventory of animal laboratory supplies; pick up supplies from local businesses as needed;
• Work with faculty to ensure animal species needed for teaching are available;
• Daily inspections to maintain general health of all animals;
• Notify Instrument & Laboratory Technician or Facilities Management about matters concerning maintenance such as water leaks, plugged drains, power outages, etc. in the animal care areas;
• Work with faculty regarding research needs, help design equipment needed to implement research needs while accommodating the health and care of the animals being used during the experiments;
• Perform animal care and husbandry functions necessary to maintain animal welfare during periods when student workers are unavailable, including weekends, holidays, and academic breaks.Train student workers in the proper care and handling of  animals with which they will be working;
• Supervise student workers and student research assistants;
• Supervise students in feeding, watering and routine husbandry of avian, rodent, reptile and fish species used in both research and teaching;
• Supervise students in room sanitation and cage, tank, and equipment cleaning;
• Supervise student workers in performing tasks associated with maintaining avian and rodent breeding colonies;
• Supervise students during research to insure that animals are maintained properly.
• Notify researchers if there is a health concern posed during an experiment;
• Remove all animal waste.
• Serve on the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee: participate in semi-annual meetings, review research protocol applications, inspect facilitites, review animal use programs.

2. Life Science Laboratory Preparation

• Prepare materials for weekly introductory level Biochemistry/Molecular Biology lab (BMB 210L) (2-3 lab sections per long term);
• Set up and take down weekly BMB 210L labs (materials and equipment);
• Order and maintain equipment and supplies for BMB 210L;
• Order and maintain the chemicals and glassware in the BMB prep room
• Help the BIO 110 Lab Coordinator with the ordering and stocking of the general biology stock room;
• Order and maintain equipment and supplies for the Environmental Studies, Neuroscience, and Psychology Programs;
• Order fish and maintain tanks for PSY 110 during the time frame of the experiment. Co-ordinate with the instructors;
• Provide rats for the PSY 305 lab. Inspect and keep records on the health and notify instructor with issues pertaining to the animals health, intervene if necessary to insure the well being of the animals being used in the lab;
• Supervise undergraduate laboratory assistants.

3. Seasonal Greenhouse Management ( Summer- two months)

• Co-ordinate with BIO 110 Lab Instructor & Lab Coordinator as to the start and stop date of summer greenhouse management;
• Ensure proper growth conditions for greenhouse;
• Maintain supplies and basic equipment;
• Notify Instrument & Laboratory Technician or Facilities Management about matters concerning maintenance;
• Hire, train, and supervise greenhouse assistants and work study students, and take care of greenhouse tasks when necessary to maintain proper growth conditions.

Marginal Job Functions:

• Contribute to the overall success of the department by performing all other essential duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

Education and Experience

o   Bachelors degree in Life Sciences required;

o   Laboratory Animal Technician (LAT) or Laboratory Animal Technologist (LATG) certification through the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) is preferred.

o   Expected to maintain knowledge of current guidelines for the care and use of animals in research and education

Knowledge and Skills

o   Chemical inventory management

o   Laboratory safety procedures

o   Biohazard handling

o   OSHA compliance

o   Equipment troubleshooting

o   Knowledge of solutions preparations

o   Valid driver’s license necessary as travel by car or truck to transport live animals and maintain food and bedding supplies.

o   Ability to work well and problem solve independently while also

working closely with faculty in the life sciences

o  Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and ability to learn institutional software systems

Physical Requirements:

o   Ability to safely lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds with or without reasonable accommodation.Working with, taking specific precautions against, and being immunized against potentially hazardous agents.

Centre provides a supportive, engaging setting where faculty and staff thrive as we advance our shared mission: preparing students for lives of learning, leadership, and service. Join our community and leave a lasting impact on generations to come.

As a fundamental policy and in compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and all other applicable non-discrimination laws, Centre College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, age, disability, veteran’s status, or genetic information in the administration of any of its education or employment policies. Centre College hires and promotes its employees and admits its students on the basis of merit, qualification, and character.