Animal Behavior Research Assistant Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Laboratory Animal Care Technician

Adecco Healthcare & Life Sciences is hiring for a leading global animal health organization known for advancing veterinary medicine, animal health, and scientific research in Durham, NC.

Position Details

Location: Durham, NC
Work Arrangement: Onsite
Pay Rate: Up to $21.30/hour
Contract: 1-year contract with potential for direct hire
Schedule: Full-time; rotating weekend and holiday coverage required
Overtime: Eligible; occasional extended hours may be required based on workload

Position Overview

The Laboratory Animal Care Technician will support daily operations within a research animal facility by providing high-quality animal husbandry, health monitoring, sanitation, and facility support.

The successful candidate will work closely with research and animal-care teams while following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), study protocols, animal welfare standards, safety requirements, and strict biocontainment procedures.

This opportunity is well suited for candidates with an Associate degree and experience or exposure to laboratory animal care, animal science, agriculture, veterinary environments, or related hands-on animal-care settings.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily animal husbandry activities, including feeding, watering, enrichment, cage changes, and animal-room cleaning.

• Monitor animal health and welfare and promptly report concerns to management or appropriate personnel.

• Handle and manipulate animals according to approved SOPs and study protocols.

• Perform euthanasia procedures as trained and in accordance with applicable AVMA guidelines.

• Complete all required documentation associated with animal care and euthanasia activities.

• Clean and maintain assigned animal rooms, isolators, animal-care equipment, and facility areas.

• Maintain facility areas in a clean, sanitary, organized, and inspection-ready condition.

• Support requirements associated with IACUC inspections and AAALAC accreditation.

• Follow strict contamination-control and biocontainment procedures.

• Maintain accurate records related to animal care, sanitation, equipment, and other assigned activities.

• Monitor equipment and report malfunctions or maintenance concerns promptly.

• Assist with inventory management, stocking supplies, and communicating replenishment needs.

• Operate equipment and use supplies in accordance with established safety procedures.

• Work independently while maintaining effective and professional relationships with coworkers and internal customers.

• Take initiative to complete assignments and anticipate upcoming tasks.

• Maintain consistent attendance and punctuality to support required staffing levels.

• Participate in rotating weekend and holiday coverage.

• Work occasional extended hours or overtime when required by workload.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree required.

• Previous laboratory animal or agricultural experience preferred.

• Related experience in animal care, veterinary settings, animal science, research, or similar hands-on environments may be considered.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to animal welfare.

• Ability to follow detailed SOPs, protocols, safety procedures, and contamination-control requirements.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and documentation.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

• Reliable attendance and punctuality are essential.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

Candidates must be able to:

• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds.

• Push or roll heavy objects.

• Use ladders.

• Stand for extended periods.

• Frequently squat, bend, stoop, twist, and turn.

• Perform tasks requiring manual dexterity and visual acuity.

• Work in temperatures ranging from approximately freezing to 90°F.

• Work around animal dander, dust, aerosols, odors, and noise.

• Wear required PPE, which may include Tyvek garments, hairnets, gloves, safety glasses, facility-provided uniforms/shoes, respirators, or PAPRs.

Biocontainment & Facility Requirements

Due to the controlled research environment, employees must be comfortable adhering to strict facility requirements, including:

• Multiple showers may be required during the workday as part of biocontainment procedures, including washing hair.

• Hair must be completely contained within a hairnet.

• Nails must remain short to support safe fine-motor work and reduce injury risk.

• Personal phones and jewelry are not permitted inside the vivarium.

• Employees may not own poultry or swine due to facility biosecurity requirements.

• Strict adherence to hygiene, PPE, contamination-control, and biosecurity procedures is required.

Why Work with Adecco?

• Up to $21.30/hour

• 1-year contract with potential for direct hire

• Weekly pay

• 401(k) options

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits for eligible employees

• Skills training and professional development resources

• Dedicated Adecco recruiter support

• Opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a professional animal health and research environment

If you have an Associate degree and enjoy hands-on animal care, husbandry, or laboratory work, this is an opportunity to build valuable experience supporting research and animal health in a highly regulated scientific environment.

Pay Details: $20.00 to $21.30 per hour
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
Military connected talent encouraged to apply
To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.adecco.com/en-us/candidate-privacy
The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance

Massachusetts Candidates Only: 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.