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Animal Researcher Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

BoehringerPRD

The Animal Care Technician LG4 will derive products from livestock, companion, and laboratory ... and R&D testing. Duties & Responsibilities Husbandry: * Handles, restrains, feeds, provides ...

County of St. Clair

Animal Care Technician

Port Huron, MI · On-site

$14.75 - $20/hr

Cleans and disinfects all areas of animal shelter including kennels Accepts animals delivered to ... research and problem solve independently; knowledge of County operations and functions; ability to ...

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All JobsAnimal Researcher JobsAnimal Researcher Jobs in Michigan

Animal Researcher information

See Michigan salary details

$26.1K

$98.6K

$143.4K

How much do animal researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for animal researcher in Michigan is $98,579.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,400.00 and $134,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an animal researcher do?

An Animal Researcher studies animals to understand their behavior, physiology, genetics, or diseases. They often work in laboratories, universities, or in the field, conducting experiments and observations on animals. Their research can contribute to advancements in medicine, environmental conservation, and understanding animal welfare. Animal Researchers may also be involved in developing new treatments for animal or human diseases, ensuring ethical standards are maintained, and publishing their findings in scientific journals.

What are some common challenges an animal researcher faces in their daily work?

Animal Researchers often encounter challenges such as maintaining strict ethical standards, adhering to regulatory guidelines, and ensuring animal welfare throughout experiments. Balancing scientific objectives with humane treatment requires careful planning and regular documentation. Additionally, researchers must stay up-to-date with evolving protocols, collaborate closely with veterinarians and fellow scientists, and manage the emotional aspects of working with animals in a research setting.

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

To thrive as an Animal Researcher, you need a strong background in biology, animal science, or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree and experience with laboratory research. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), statistical analysis software, and proper animal handling certifications (such as IACUC training) is typically required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for designing experiments, ensuring animal welfare, and presenting findings. These skills and qualifications are essential for conducting ethical, accurate research that advances scientific understanding and complies with regulatory standards.

What is the difference between Animal Researcher vs Animal Technician?

AspectAnimal ResearcherAnimal Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in biology, animal science, or related field; research experience often preferredHigh school diploma or associate degree; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, universitiesAnimal care facilities, laboratories, veterinary clinics
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, pharmaceutical companies, universitiesVeterinary clinics, research labs, animal shelters
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles, career paths in animal researchAnimal care, laboratory support roles

Animal Researchers focus on designing and conducting experiments involving animals, often requiring advanced degrees and research experience. Animal Technicians primarily provide daily care and support for laboratory animals, typically with less formal education. Both roles are essential in animal research settings but differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environment.

How do you become an animal researcher?

To become an animal researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in biology, zoology, or a related field is required, often followed by a master's or Ph.D. for advanced positions. Gaining experience through internships, research assistant roles, or volunteering in laboratories or wildlife settings is also important, along with developing skills in data analysis and animal handling.

How much money do animal researchers make?

Animal researchers typically earn a median annual salary of around $50,000 to $70,000, depending on experience, education, and location. Salaries can increase with advanced degrees, specialized skills, and working in private industry or research institutions.

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

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

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

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

What cities in Michigan are hiring for Animal Researcher jobs?

Cities in Michigan with the most Animal Researcher job openings:

Animal Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Animal Researcher job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, and 12% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $98,579 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Animal Research Technician

Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Mattawan, MI

$20/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Charles River Laboratories rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

24th of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Job Overview

An Animal Research Technician is an entry-level, regular, full-time role responsible for learning and performing foundational animal care and study support tasks including animal handling and animal husbandry within a team environment. An Animal Research Technician performs routine assignments tasks while developing proficiency in departmental procedures, data documentation, and equipment use.  

The hourly pay rate for this position is $20.00.  

Training Schedule:

  • Week 1: Monday-Friday 8:00AM – 4:30PM 
  • Week 2+: Monday-Friday 7:00AM – 3:30PM

Potential Permanent Schedules: May vary based on business need and available roles to include: 

  • Monday – Friday with weekend and holiday rotations 07:00AM – 3:30PM
  • Sunday – Thursday with holiday rotations 07:00AM – 3:30PM
  • Tuesday – Saturday with holiday rotations 07:00AM – 3:30PM
  • Wednesday – Saturday with holiday rotations 07:00AM – 3:30PM
  • Saturday – Wednesday with holiday rotations 07:00AM – 3:30PM

All roles and shifts require flexibility to work extended hours outside of scheduled shift based on business need, sometimes with short notice.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Ensure good welfare and humane care for all animals through gentle, positive human–animal interactions. 
  • Perform basic animal husbandry and handling tasks according to training plans and business needs. 
  • Support daily operational tasks such as animal handling, feeding, watering, and daily room cleaning. 
  • Collect, document, review, and verify data using approved paper or electronic systems. 
  • Review completed work for accuracy and completeness in support of quality control requirements. 
  • Use and maintain instrumentation and equipment according to procedures. 
  • Escalate process deviations, equipment issues, or data concerns to trainers or supervisors. 
  • Follow SOPs, BOPs, GLP, and IACUC requirements to maintain study integrity. 
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned. 
Qualifications
  • High school diploma or GED required. 
  • Ability to learn and consistently apply department procedures and protocol requirements. 
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Ability to manage multiple routine tasks and priorities. 
  • Computer skills including Microsoft Office and the ability to learn validated systems. 
  • Ability to recognize quality or compliance issues and seek guidance appropriately. 
  • Ability to ensure a safe working environment by following all safety procedures and using PPE properly. 
  • Ability to perform work in compliance with GLP, SOPs, BOPs, and IACUC requirements. 
  • Ability to work extended or non-standard hours when required. 
  • Ability to work under specific time constraints. 

Workplace Requirements:  

This position requires lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling materials and equipment; standing, walking, bending, kneeling, crouching, and repetitive hand and arm movements. Team lifting or mechanical assistance is required for loads over 50 lbs. Exposure to animal rooms and operational environments is routine. 

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 

Required PPE may include gloves, goggles, lab coat or coveralls, protective sleeves, face shields, respirators, bonnets, booties, safety glasses, dosimeters, and other PPE as required by Environmental Health and Safety Services or animal room entry requirements. 

Environmental Factors: 

Work is performed primarily indoors with exposure to animal-related allergens, biological materials, chemicals, dust, fumes, noise, odors, gases, and temperature variations. PPE and safe work practices are in place to mitigate exposure risks. 

About Safety Assessment
Charles River is committed to helping our partners expedite their preclinical drug development with exceptional safety assessment services, state-of-the-art facilities and expert regulatory guidance. From individual specialty toxicology and IND enabling studies to tailored packages and total laboratory support, our deeply experienced team can design and execute programs that anticipate challenges and avoid roadblocks for a smooth, efficient journey to market.  Each year approximately 300 investigational new drug (IND) programs are conducted in our Safety Assessment facilities.


About Charles River
Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly worked on 80% of the drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the past five years.

We’re committed to providing benefits that elevate your quality of life.  Based on your position these may include:  bonus/incentives based on performance, 401K, paid time off, stock purchase program, Health and wellness coverage, employee and family wellbeing support programs, and work life balance flexibility.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Charles River is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, mental or physical disability, family status, pregnancy, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

It is unlawful in some states (including 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.

If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

For more information, please visit www.criver.com.

What Charles River Laboratories employees say

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About Charles River

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients' clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market. With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client's unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world. At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people's lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Wilmington, MA, US

Year founded

1947

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