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Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

BoehringerPRD

AALAS Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) certification must be obtained within twelve ... Skills: * Ability to work safely with livestock and lab animals. * Animal observations and care.

Milwood Animal Clinic

Veterinary Assistant

Portage, MI · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

Milwood Animal Clinic is Hiring an Experienced Veterinary Assistant! Position Details Role ... Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets * Pet discounts on services and products * Pet food ...

Milwood Animal Clinic

Veterinary Assistant

Portage, MI · On-site

$15 - $18.75/hr

Milwood Animal Clinic is Hiring an Experienced Veterinary Assistant! Position Details Role ... Free/discounted lab work for all employee pets * Pet discounts on services and products * Pet food ...

VCA Animal Hospitals

Veterinary Assistant

White Lake, MI · On-site

$17 - $21/hr

Veterinary Assistant at VCA White Lake Animal Hospital in White Lake, MI. Schedule Full-time ... Prepare and clean exam rooms * Assist with radiographs, lab sample collection, and basic in-house ...

Associated Veterinary Partners

Kennel Assistant

Owosso, MI · On-site

$13.73 - $14.25/hr

Kennel Assistant (full-time) Pinecrest Animal Hospital - Owosso, MI About Us Pinecrest Animal ... full in-house lab work, laser therapy, and a wide range of surgical procedures from routine to ...

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Animal Lab Assistant information

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How much do animal lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal lab assistant in Michigan is $17.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.47 and $20.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an animal lab assistant?

Animal Lab Assistants are professionals who support scientific research by caring for laboratory animals and maintaining their living environments. They are responsible for feeding, cleaning, monitoring animal health, and assisting researchers with experiments. Their work ensures that animals are treated ethically and that experiments are conducted in a safe, controlled environment. Animal Lab Assistants may also help with maintaining records and administering medications as directed by veterinarians or researchers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an animal lab assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Animal Lab Assistant, you need a foundational understanding of animal care, handling procedures, and basic laboratory techniques, often supported by a relevant certification or associate degree in animal science or a related field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, data recording systems, and compliance regulations such as IACUC protocols is typically expected. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to work collaboratively are essential soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure the well-being of laboratory animals, the accuracy of research data, and adherence to ethical and safety standards.

What are some common challenges faced by animal lab assistants, and how can they be managed?

Animal Lab Assistants often face challenges such as maintaining strict adherence to protocols, handling animals with care under potentially stressful conditions, and managing time efficiently between various tasks like feeding, cleaning, and record-keeping. To manage these challenges, it's helpful to develop strong organizational skills, stay up to date on animal care guidelines, and communicate effectively with research staff and veterinarians. Regular training and working closely within the team can also help ensure both animal welfare and research integrity are maintained.

What is the difference between Animal Lab Assistant vs Veterinary Technician?

AspectAnimal Lab AssistantVeterinary Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; on-the-job trainingAssociate's degree in veterinary technology; certification often required
Work EnvironmentResearch laboratories, animal care facilitiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companiesVeterinary clinics, animal hospitals, research facilities
Common Search & Comparison IntentYesYes

Animal Lab Assistants primarily support research labs and animal care in laboratory settings, often with minimal formal credentials. Veterinary Technicians work in veterinary clinics or hospitals, requiring specialized education and certification. While both roles involve animal care, Veterinary Technicians typically have more advanced training and perform clinical procedures, whereas Animal Lab Assistants focus on supporting research activities.

What are popular job titles related to Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Michigan?

For Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Michigan look for?

The top searched job categories for Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Michigan are:

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animal Lab Assistant jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Animal Lab Assistant job openings:

Animal Lab Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Lab Assistant job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,706 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Research Lab Specialist Senior

Ann Arbor, MI • On-site

University of Michigan
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

192nd of 625 rated colleges and universities

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about University of Michiganexternal

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

How to Apply
A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.
Who We Are
At Michigan Engineering, we develop the talent and technologies that move society forward and serve our state and national interests. Through discovery and innovation, we create the foundational knowledge and practical technologies to solve not only today's most pressing challenges, but also power industries and change lives. Our programs and community are designed to promote personal well-being and achievement-enabling everyone to unlock their potential and contribute with confidence.
Job Summary
The Research Laboratory Specialist Senior will serve as the core operational, medical, and regulatory anchor for a large animal lab within Biomedical Engineering. In this senior role, the Research Lab Specialist will oversee a small NHP colony, while also running precursor-to-GLP sheep and pig studies. Will ensure strict compliance across all regulatory bodies (USDA, IACUC, IBC, EHS) and manage controlled substance compliance. Independently write comprehensive IACUC protocols for PIs transitioning into large animal research. On the medical front, this position will lead pre-operative setup and post-operative recovery for monthly surgeries, performing advanced procedures like ultrasound-guided nerve blocks. Directly train PhD students and pre-veterinary assistants. Finally, handle the lab's administrative foundation by managing supply logistics and executing long-term personnel financial forecasting across multiple grants in coordination with research administrators.
Responsibilities*
Nonhuman Primate Colony Management:
  • Will manage a small NHP colony. This includes fulfilling day-to-day medical needs and coordination with vets.
  • Maintain detailed and accurate documentation related to weight, food and water consumption, general hours, and any medical care.
  • Personally manages the training of new NHP for poling, chairing, and acclimatization to handling with junior assistants.
  • Develops and adapts personalized training plans for individual NHP.
Regulatory:
  • Monitors and ensures compliance with all protocols (USDA, IACUC, IBC, EHS, CS) and serves as the primary points of contact for all regulatory inspections.
  • Manages controlled drugs compliance across the lab under the PIs CS license.
  • Runs precursor-to-GLP sheep and pig studies, regularly monitoring animal health and coordinating with the pathology core.
  • Writes and edits full IACUC protocols for NHP, sheep, and pig, often working with PIs who have never previously worked with large animals.
  • Trains all lab members in procedures related to safety, including the use of PPE, chemical safety, fire safety, biosafety.
  • Writes all new SOPs related to lab procedures.
Medical:
  • Is the primary person running approximately 1-2 NHP surgeries per year and 1 sheep or pig surgery every month.
  • Can lead every aspect of pre-operative setup and post-operative recovery, with junior assistance. This includes anesthetic induction, intubation, intraoperative sensor placement, vitals monitoring, animal recovery, and post-operative monitoring.
  • Delivers medication per veterinary instructions or protocol guidance using all routes in NHP and other large animals, including IV.
  • Develops and fabricates novel methods for experimental procedures and improves existing techniques.
  • Assists PhD students with all medical procedures used within daily experiments, particularly including ultrasound guided nerve block.
  • Serves as the primary liaison supporting 5 or more PIs who wish to perform large animal experiments without running a large animal lab themselves.
Management:
  • Supervises and trains PhD students and other lab staff on lab equipment operation, laboratory procedures, laboratory techniques.
  • Explains and demonstrates technology and equipment capabilities, operations, limitations and outcomes.
  • Directly manages and teaches assistants veterinary procedures. These will usually be students in training for veterinary programs
  • Manages lab service assignments across the lab.
Administrative:
  • Organizes all lab supplies and associated finances.
  • Orders all supplies for the lab, using spreadsheets to monitor purchasing.
  • Ensures critical supplies are in stock for lab procedures.
  • Maintains a spreadsheet for personnel financial forecasting using remaining funding on grants. i.e. projects that that amount forward in time with personnel.
  • Meets regularly with the research administrator for the lab related to post-award management.
Required Qualifications*
  • Master's degree and over 15 years of experience working with large animals in a laboratory setting.
  • Experience independently managing an NHP lab for at least half of that time.
  • 10 years or more of experience working with awake NHP, including training a fresh animal from scratch for pole and collar. Previously trained other people with no experience to handle NHP.
  • Primary point of contact for a lab during USDA, IACUC, IBC, EHS, CS inspections for at least 5 years.
  • Substantial experience writing and establishing SOPs for a large animal lab. Has independently written full IACUC protocols to assist PIs.
  • Previously assisted PIs who have never personally worked with large animals to obtain protocol approvals and obtain data.
  • At least 3 years of experience working with large animals in a GLP facility.
  • Proficient with ultrasound guided nerve block, all manners of drug delivery in large animals including awake IV.
  • Can independently or with junior assistance complete pre-operative setup for large animal surgeries including anesthetic induction, intubation, vitals sensor placement, vitals monitoring.
  • Independently handle animal recovery and other post-operative monitoring.
  • Previously trained and supervised junior assistants on medical procedures involving large animals.
  • Can utilize internal financial spreadsheets for running a lab for purchasing and financial projection.
  • Served as the primary day-to-day contact for a research administrator monitoring accounts.
Why Work at Michigan?
In addition to a career filled with purpose and opportunity, The University of Michigan offers a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family and plan for a secure future. Benefits include:
  • Generous time off
  • A retirement plan that provides two-for-one matching contributions with immediate vesting
  • Many choices for comprehensive health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Long-term disability coverage
  • Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care expenses
  • Maternity and Parental Leave

Modes of Work
Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .
This is an onsite position-5 days per week.
Background Screening
The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended.
U-M EEO Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Job Detail
Job Opening ID
280822
Working Title
Research Lab Specialist Senior
Job Title
Research Lab Specialist Senior
Work Location
Ann Arbor Campus
Ann Arbor, MI
Modes of Work
Onsite
Full/Part Time
Full-Time
Regular/Temporary
Regular
FLSA Status
Exempt
Organizational Group
College Engineering
Department
CoE Biomedical Engineering
Posting Begin/End Date
8/19/2026 - 9/02/2026
Salary
$71,114.00 - $82,967.00
Career Interest
Research
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About University of Michigan

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Michigan (U-M), based in Ann Arbor, MI, US, is one of America's most esteemed institutions in higher education. Established in 1817, it presides in the industry of education and research, providing a range of services including undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs. Complementing this is an extensive research activity that has significantly contributed to various fields, from healthcare to engineering, humanities to sports. Upholding its mission "to serve the people of Michigan and the world through preeminence in creating, communicating, preserving and applying knowledge, art, and academic values", U-M consistently ranks among the top universities globally, a testament to its tradition of excellence in learning and research, and a deep commitment to innovation and discovery.

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Headquarters location

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Year founded

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