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Animal Lab Assistant Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

University of Virginia

Animal Caregiver

Charlottesville, VA · On-site

$17.50 - $19.50/hr

Preference will be given to applicants with lab or animal handling experience and those with an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician Certificate (ALAT) * Strong attention to detail * Verbal and ...

VetEvolve

Animal Care Center - Vet Assistant

Pearisburg, VA · On-site

$13.75 - $17.25/hr

Veterinary Assistant Position Summary: The Veterinary Assistant provides essential support to the ... Administers medications, draws up vaccines, collects lab samples, and performs basic lab tests as ...

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Animal Lab Assistant information

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How much do animal lab assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average hourly pay for animal lab assistant in Virginia is $20.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.44 and $22.88 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Animal Lab Assistants?

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 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 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 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 Virginia? For Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Animal Lab Assistant jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Animal Lab Assistant jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Animal Lab Assistant job openings:
Animal Lab Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Lab Assistant job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,752 per year, or $20.1 per hour.
Laboratory Research Operations Assistant

Laboratory Research Operations Assistant

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$19 - $21.50/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

182nd of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

The Connelly Laboratory at the University of Virginia is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented Laboratory Research Operations Assistant to join our interdisciplinary research team. This position is ideal for candidates interested in gaining hands-on experience at the intersection of molecular biology, neuroscience, and animal behavior.
The Connelly Lab conducts cutting-edge research in translational neuroepigenetics, with a focus on how DNA methylation and gene regulation shape brain development, behavior, and health across the lifespan. Our work integrates molecular biology, genomics, imaging and animal models to understand how early-life experiences-particularly birth interventions-impact the oxytocin system in mothers and offspring.
We are a well-funded, collaborative, and highly productive lab, offering opportunities for meaningful scientific contribution and professional development. Learn more at www.connellylab.com .
Position Overview
The Laboratory Research Operations Assistant will work closely with Professor Jessica Connelly and lab members to support both research execution and laboratory operations. This role combines molecular biology, imaging, and animal behavior research, and lab management, making it ideal for candidates seeking a broad and immersive research experience.
The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining an active animal colony, generating molecular data, collecting imaging data and supporting experimental workflows, while also contributing to the overall functioning of a dynamic research environment.
Key Responsibilities
  • Maintain and manage a small animal breeding colony, including daily husbandry
  • Conduct and record behavioral observations and analyses
  • Assist with small animal surgical procedures
  • Perform tissue collection, processing, and biobanking
  • Isolate and analyze DNA and RNA from tissues and cells
  • Assist with cell culture and molecular biology workflows
  • Assist with confocal and other imaging modalities, including neuroimaging
  • Maintain accurate, detailed experimental records and ensure data quality
  • Manage laboratory inventory, reagents, and supplies
  • Ensure compliance with institutional animal care and safety protocols
  • Train and supervise undergraduate research assistants
  • Support general laboratory operations, including organization, maintenance, and workflow optimization
  • Contribute to manuscripts, grant preparation, and scientific presentations
  • Other duties as assigned

What We Offer
  • Direct mentorship from the PI and senior scientists
  • Opportunities for authorship on scientific publications
  • Experience contributing to grant writing and experimental design
  • Opportunities to present research at national and international conferences
  • A collaborative, intellectually engaging lab environment

Minimum Qualifications
  • High school diploma or equivalent
  • At least 1 year of laboratory experience (including undergraduate research); Bachelor's degree may substitute for experience

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in a life science discipline
  • Experience with rodent models and animal handling
  • Background in animal behavior analysis
  • Experience with dissection and/or small animal surgery
  • Familiarity with DNA/RNA extraction, qPCR, or molecular biology techniques
  • Experience with cell culture
  • Experience with neuroimaging pipeline design and analysis

Salary range: $19.00-$21.50/hour (commensurate with experience)
Physical Demands: This position can spend extensive periods of time standing and squatting while conducting experiments or caring for animals. Also requires keyboarding and other benchwork and animal procedures requiring fine finger manipulation.
This is a restricted position; continuation is dependent on funding and satisfactory performance.
This position is located in Charlottesville, Virginia. This is a full-time benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit www.hr.virginia.edu/benefits .
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role
The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A completed pre-employment health screen is required for this position prior to employment.
Application Process:
Please apply online , and search for R0082682. Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website . Complete an application online with the following documents:
  • CV/Resume
  • Cover Letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all the required documents will not receive full consideration. This position is open until filled.
References will be completed via UVA's standardized process SkillSurvey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process. A minimum of three are required.
For information regarding the position or the application process, please contact Jessica Speth, Academic Recruiter, js9rk@virginia.edu.
Job Profile
J1882 - Laboratory Research Operations and Service 1
Career Stream and Level
Operations and Service-O1
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819

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