1

Mouse Colony Manager Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Mouse Colony Manager information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a mouse colony manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Mouse Colony Manager, you need a solid background in laboratory animal science, animal husbandry, and genetics, often supported by a bachelor's degree in a biological science and relevant certifications like AALAS. Familiarity with animal facility management systems, genotyping techniques, and regulatory compliance tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and effective communication are essential soft skills for ensuring animal welfare and coordinating with research teams. These abilities are crucial for maintaining healthy colonies, supporting research integrity, and meeting regulatory standards.

What are some common challenges faced by mouse colony managers, and how can they be addressed?

Mouse Colony Managers often encounter challenges such as maintaining accurate breeding records, preventing genetic drift, and ensuring animal welfare standards are met. Managing a large number of strains and coordinating with research teams requires strong organizational skills and clear communication. Implementing standardized protocols and utilizing colony management software can greatly reduce errors and streamline operations. Regular training and staying updated on best practices also help address these challenges effectively.

What does a mouse colony manager do?

A Mouse Colony Manager is responsible for overseeing the care, breeding, and record-keeping of laboratory mouse colonies used in research. Their duties include monitoring mouse health and welfare, maintaining accurate breeding records, and ensuring compliance with institutional and regulatory guidelines. They work closely with researchers to provide specific mouse strains and manage genetic lines, while also coordinating with veterinary staff to address any health concerns. This role is essential for supporting scientific studies that rely on laboratory mice.

What is the difference between Mouse Colony Manager vs Laboratory Animal Technician?

AspectMouse Colony ManagerLaboratory Animal Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in biology or related field; certifications in animal care are commonUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree; certifications in animal handling are preferred
Work EnvironmentOversees breeding and colony management in research facilitiesPerforms daily animal care and maintenance in laboratory settings
Employer & IndustryResearch institutions, biotech companies, universitiesResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutions

The Mouse Colony Manager focuses on maintaining and breeding mouse colonies for research, requiring specialized knowledge and oversight. In contrast, the Laboratory Animal Technician handles daily animal care and support tasks. Both roles are essential in research environments but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are popular job titles related to Mouse Colony Manager jobs in Portland, OR?

For Mouse Colony Manager jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Mouse Colony Manager job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

$20.50 - $28/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago


Oregon Health & Science University rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 95 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

162nd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Department Overview

The Brenden-Colson Center for Pancreatic Care (BCCPC) is developing new detection methods and treatments for cancer.  One way to do that is to is to create pre-clinical animal models that can be manipulated and tested.  The purpose of this position is to assist in developing mouse models of pancreatic cancer and assess drug responses in those models.  This includes mouse colony management and husbandry, tissue dissection, and genotyping. 

As a BCCPC team member, you will work in the lab to identify in vivo drug-response metrics that best predict drug responses in patients, helping to inform clinical care.  You will be trained in growing primary cultures of tumor cells using advanced cell biology lab techniques, automated therapeutic screens, and histology techniques, as well as performing quantitative analysis of images, harvesting and processing mouse tissues, assisting in survival mouse surgeries, data entry/collection and laboratory housekeeping.  You will be responsible for conducting some phases of projects independently and may help to design experiments.

Do you have strong organizational and communication skills and the ability to work under minimal supervision?  Have you had experience with cell biology laboratory techniques?  Then consider joining Oregon's pancreas research headquarters on the South Waterfront to start building your future in the biomedical sciences.  (Please note:  this position is NOT eligible for remote work.)

Function/Duties of Position
  • Maintain mouse colonies: breeding, animal husbandry and mouse colony management.  Perform animal procedures including injections, health checks, tumor or other measurements, administering drug by mouth, injections, surgery, tissue harvest, and tissue preparation following necropsy.
  • Perform in vivo experiments including cell culture, genotyping, immunohistochemical sample preparation and processing, cell isolation and DNA/RNA purification, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy, and other biochemistry assays.  Perform preliminary interpretation of results to determine whether they are consistent with experimental goals.
  • Collect, record, organize and verify the accuracy of data, keeping detailed and accurate laboratory records; tabulate data, perform calculations, prepare charts, graphs and reports. May assist with preparation of figures, tables and reports for publications and grants.
  • Assist in the daily operation of the lab including hazardous waste disposal, sterilization of equipment, cleaning glassware, general servicing of equipment and ordering lab supplies, and preparation of media and buffers.
  • Assist in design of research experiments and troubleshooting; attend lab meetings and present data; attend group meetings and seminars as relevant
  • Other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in relevant field OR
  • Associate's Degree AND
  • 3 years of relevant experience OR
  • 4 years of relevant experience OR
  • Equivalent combination of training and experience
Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Bioscience, in-lab training
  • Animal handling
  • Computer skills; strong organizational abilities; excellent communication skills; strong data management skills; exceptional attention to detail; ability to multitask; ability to follow direction; must be able to work in a BSL-2 
Additional Details
  • Work is 40 hours per week, generally during normal working hours, however, some evening and weekend work will be necessary on occasion.  Additional safety training will be required for working with mice/cell lines/patient samples/ infectious bacteria or viruses and working within a BSL-2 environment.  Animal handling is required.
  • Personnel will need to work at lab benches or desks for up to 8 hours in a day and 2 hours at a time. Ability to perform repetitive lab manipulations (gripping, grasping, reaching, twisting, computer data entry), move lab equipment under 25 lbs with accommodation. These functions can be very repetitive.  Personal protective equipment must be worn as required (gloves, mask/respirator, eyewear, lab coat, etc.).  Ability to ride the aerial tram and walk long distances across campus.  Ability to handle physical tissue/blood specimens including use of dry ice, liquid nitrogen storage, carrying packages for shipment.
Why apply to OHSU?We are Oregon's only public academic health center. In addition to caring for patients, we lead groundbreaking research. We also train the next generation of health care professionals. As Portland's largest employer, we give you opportunities to learn and advance in a system of hospitals and clinics across Oregon and Southwest Washington. All are welcome. OHSU welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities, genders, national origins, religions and sexual orientations. We are striving to build an anti-racist, multicultural institution and encourage people with diverse backgrounds to apply. To request reasonable accommodation, contact askhr@ohsu.eduEmployment Type: FULL_TIME

What Oregon Health & Science University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Oregon Health & Science University logo

About Oregon Health & Science University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) is a distinguished institution under the industry of higher education and healthcare, specifically in the field of medical science. Based in Portland, Oregon, US, it maintains a reputation for promoting research, teaching, patient care, and outreach. Established in 1887, OHSU has continually sought to redefine the parameters of healthcare delivery and biomedical discovery through its expansive catalog of programs and initiatives. A galvanizing mission drives OHSU: to improve the health and quality of life for all Oregonians through excellence, innovation, and leadership in health care, education, and research.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Portland, OR, US

Year founded

1887