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Animal Technician
The Veterinary Medicine & Surgery department exists to support MD Anderson research programs by providing high‑quality veterinary care, facilities, and services that comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, and AAALAC accreditation standards.
MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. The Animal Technician plays a critical role in supporting research operations, ensuring that animal care standards remain consistent, safe, and compliant. This role involves performing physically demanding tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying materials or equipment as part of daily duties. Work is performed in an environment where exposure to animal odors is expected. This collaboration between Veterinary Medicine & Surgery and the broader organization strengthens the research environment and supports institutional goals.
The ideal candidate for the Animal Technician role has prior animal experience and is comfortable with physical tasks such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying equipment/ materials.
Minimum $19.62 – Midpoint $24.52 – Maximum $29.42
Work Location: Texas Medical Center
The typical work schedule is onsite Monday – Friday with rotating weekends
Why Us?
The Animal Technician plays an essential part in supporting MD Anderson’s research mission by ensuring high‑quality animal care that enables safe and compliant scientific discovery. This role provides valuable hands‑on experience and opportunities for long‑term career growth while maintaining a stable work schedule and contributing to a world‑class research environment.
• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.
• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.
• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.
• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.
Responsibilities
Routine Animal Care & Specialized Animal Procedures
• Change animal cages, primarily mouse cages, according to established schedules
• Perform daily animal care and health flagging for assigned areas, including those requiring specialized or additional training such as chemical agent rooms
• Ensure ventilated cage rack systems and automated drinking water systems are functioning properly and report alarms or malfunctions immediately
• Perform specialized procedures including placing special diets, preparing cages with special water and removed drinking valves, and ensuring appropriate labeling
• Carry out routine rodent weaning and separation procedures
• House newly arrived animals and pull cages for transfers and deliveries
• Provide back‑up support for animal care or cage wash staff as needed
Facility & Room Care
• Maintain cleanliness and sanitation of animal housing and ancillary areas
• Ensure equipment is cleaned, made available for sanitization, and kept on the established maintenance schedule
• Report equipment or facility issues to team leaders or supervisors
• Maintain adequate stock of supplies
Documentation
• Record data in the appropriate hardcopy or electronic systems in a timely manner
• Document task completion using the electronic task management system
• Ensure correct animal identification is placed on animals
• Complete arrival reports accurately and report discrepancies to supervisors
• Produce all written documentation clearly and legibly
Other Duties
• Perform other duties as assigned
EDUCATION
Required: High School Diploma or Equivalent
Preferred: Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required: Two years animal care experience in an animal hospital/clinic, research facility or related field. Or no experience required with either preferred degree.
Preferred: Must have prior animal handling experience. Must be able to perform physically demanding tasks such as pushing, pulling, lifting, and carrying materials or equipment as part of daily duties. Must be comfortable working in an environment where exposure to animal odors is expected.
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
