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Lab Animal Manager Jobs in Worcester, MA (NOW HIRING)

Provide day-to-day support to ensure a smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories and animal facility. * Manage several laboratory operations, equipment and device maintenance, lab safety ...

Provide day-to-day support to ensure a smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories and animal facility. * Manage several laboratory operations, equipment and device maintenance, lab safety ...

Provide day-to-day support to ensure a smooth and efficient operation of the laboratories and animal facility. * Manage several laboratory operations, equipment and device maintenance, lab safety ...

... animal models. This role is central to our preclinical research team and involves hands-on work ... Contribute to the management and optimization of laboratory space, including equipment and supply ...

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Lab Animal Manager information

See Worcester, MA salary details

$9

$25

$45

How much do lab animal manager jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for lab animal manager in Worcester, MA is $25.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.18 and $27.84 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a lab animal manager do?

A Lab Animal Manager oversees the daily operations of animal research facilities, ensuring the well-being and care of laboratory animals. Their responsibilities include supervising staff, maintaining compliance with regulations, coordinating animal care and use protocols, and managing facility budgets. They also ensure that all procedures follow ethical guidelines and may assist with training researchers in proper animal handling techniques. The role is essential to supporting scientific research while maintaining high standards of animal welfare.

What are the main challenges a lab animal manager faces in ensuring animal welfare while meeting research objectives?

Lab Animal Managers often balance strict regulatory compliance and the ethical treatment of animals with the needs of researchers who require timely and reliable results. Common challenges include maintaining detailed records, ensuring proper care protocols are followed, and training staff on best practices. Additionally, Lab Animal Managers collaborate closely with veterinarians, researchers, and regulatory bodies, which requires strong communication skills and adaptability. Proactively addressing these challenges helps maintain a healthy research environment and supports scientific integrity.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lab animal manager?

To thrive as a Lab Animal Manager, you need expertise in laboratory animal care, facility management, and compliance with regulatory standards, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in animal science or a related field and certifications like AALAS. Familiarity with animal management software, environmental monitoring systems, and health surveillance protocols is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills help you manage teams and coordinate with researchers. These competencies ensure ethical animal care, regulatory compliance, and efficient facility operation in research environments.
What job categories do people searching Lab Animal Manager jobs in Worcester, MA look for? The top searched job categories for Lab Animal Manager jobs in Worcester, MA are:
What cities near Worcester, MA are hiring for Lab Animal Manager jobs? Cities near Worcester, MA with the most Lab Animal Manager job openings:
Infographic showing various Lab Animal Manager job openings in Worcester, MA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 24% Full Time, and 76% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,402 per year, or $25.2 per hour.

Laboratory Animal Behavioral Technician I

Charles River Laboratories, Inc.

Shrewsbury, MA • On-site

$21/hr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 13 days ago


Charles River Laboratories rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 93 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

21st 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

We are seeking a motivated and compassionate Lab Animal Behavioral Technician I (Habituation Technician) to join our Veterinary Services team. In this role, you will support animal behavioral management programs by assisting with acclimation, enrichment, and conditioning activities that help prepare animals for study procedures. This position is ideal for individuals with animal care, husbandry, veterinary, or life sciences experience who are passionate about promoting animal welfare and providing high-quality care.

Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:30am-4:00pm  (or 8:00am-4:30pm)
Job Type: Full-Time

The pay rate for this position is $21/hour.  Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.

Key Responsibilities

  • Handle animals and assist with acclimation programs that prepare animals for study procedures.
  • Support behavioral management initiatives through basic operant conditioning techniques.
  • Maintain, track, and review data related to acclimation and enrichment programs.
  • Maintain accurate documentation and records related to behavioral management programs.
  • Receive, label, store, and organize food and enrichment supplies.
  • Assist with food preparation and enrichment inventory management.
  • Provide appropriate environmental and social enrichment opportunities for animals.
  • Build, maintain, and evaluate enrichment devices.
  • Collaborate with veterinary, animal care, and other laboratory medicine teams to ensure animal welfare standards are met.

Qualifications

Required:

  • High school diploma or GED plus 1 year of relevant experience, or
  • Associate degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, or a related field.
  • Experience working with animals in a research, husbandry, veterinary, shelter, kennel, or similar environment.
  • Ability to safely handle common laboratory animal species.
  • Strong organizational and recordkeeping skills.

Preferred:

  • Bachelor's degree in Animal Science, Life Sciences, or a related discipline.
  • Multi-species animal care experience.
  • AALAS ALAT certification.
  • Knowledge of laboratory animal care standards, protocols, and regulatory requirements. 

Physical Requirements

This position is based in a research and animal care environment. Employees may work around laboratory equipment, animal allergens, biological materials, and varying noise levels. Safety equipment and training are provided. 

  • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs regularly.
  • Ability to push wheeled carts weighing up to 1,200 lbs.
  • Ability to stand and walk for extended periods throughout an 8-hour shift.
  • Comfortable working in animal care and research environments.
  • Ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE). 

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.


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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