Regular/Temporary

Temporary

Job Title

ANIMAL CARE TECHNICIAN

Job ID

72663

Location

HSC- Central Campus

Open Date

10/27/2025

Job Type

Limited Term (>12 months)

Close Date

11/13/2025

Employee Group

Unifor Unit 1, Staff

Favorite Job

Department

FHS Central Animal Facility

Salary Grade/Band

Grade 6

Salary Range

$22.94 - $36.83 (hourly)

Contract Duration

19 Months

Hours per Week

Posting Details

Schedule

*Saturday & Sunday Required* - Weekday scheduled to be discussed

Education Level

2 year communicity college diploma in Veterinary Technology or related field.

Career Level

2 years of relevant experience.

Anticipated Fill Date

ASAP

Job Description Number

JD0048

Job Description

Animal Care Technician

The Animal Facility is currently welcoming applications for an Animal Care Technician to join our team in a temporary full time appointment! This is an excellent opportunity for an organized, motivated, and detail-oriented individual to join us in an important support role for the Facility and research at McMaster University.

Located within the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Animal Facility is a primary service division whose purpose is to serve the McMaster research community and ensure animals housed at our seven sites are cared for ethically and humanely.

About McMaster

At McMaster University, we strive to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of everyone. McMaster is one of the Top 70 Universities in the World and is recognized as Canada’s Most Research-Intensive University. McMaster continues to be recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers.

Our Faculty and Culture of Excellence

The Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS), the largest Faculty within McMaster, is unique as the only Canadian university that combines schools of medicine (including two regional campuses), nursing, rehabilitation science, and the programs of midwifery, Bachelor of Health Sciences, physician assistant and postgraduate health sciences education within one faculty. Our pioneering approaches to education and our reputation for world-class research have consistently placed McMaster and the Faculty among the top 50 universities in the world for health and medicine.

Those who join FHSwill find a community of 5,400 talented individuals who are inspired by the faculty’s commitment to our values of interprofessional collaboration, commitment to our communities, accountability, innovation, excellence, integrity, respect, and optimism.

The Opportunity

Job Summary:

Responsible for providing support to the University research community as it relates to the use of animals in biomedical research and teaching. Performs routine technical procedures and animal husbandry and ensures procedures are followed according to standard operating procedures, guidelines, and legislation.

Purpose and Key Functions:

Perform routine technical procedures ensuring strict adherence to established standard operating procedures, guidelines, and legislation.
Participate in required safety and security procedures and conduct animal husbandry and care while following established standard operating procedures and regulatory compliance requirements.
Provide technical assistance to researchers including surgical assistance, preparation, and post-surgical monitoring.
Wrap instruments for sterilization prior to surgery.
Perform minor surgeries and technical procedures including sampling, bleeding, injection and all procedures involving the use of anaesthetics and related equipment.
Participate in health monitoring, which includes health assessments, quality assurance, treatment and post approval monitoring, of all animals under the direction of the veterinary staff.
Monitor technical procedures, performed by others using the facilities, for deviations from established standard operating procedures.
Monitor endpoints and report issues to veterinary staff.
Provide department policy and procedure information to others.
Provide animal care and husbandry for all species including specialty animals in the facility.
Develop and modify standard operating procedures.
Complete cage cards with the appropriate animal information.
Document and maintain breeding records for inspection and census information.
Document treatment logs detailing the historical and current treatment regimes for animals.
Document initial observations from gross pathology and provide reports to veterinary staff.
Calculate blood volume, drug dosage, and intravenous fluid rates.
Review weight charts to ensure that the animals are within the required limits for the study.
Use a variety of facility equipment such as microscopes and centrifuges.
Calibrate scales used to weigh animals.
Analyze and troubleshoot equipment failures and complete the required repair.
Maintain breeding colonies which includes breeding, feeding, weaning, and keeping records of activities, under the oversight of the veterinary staff.
Observe the health condition and behaviour of animals and report injuries, disease, or abnormal behaviour to supervisor or designated person.
May be required to make recommendations regarding the euthanization of animals in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Assemble animal cages, and prepare shipping crates as required.
Set up and collate materials for teaching including course packages, materials, and equipment.
Attend and participate in department meetings.
Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
Maintain the confidentiality of ongoing research and development.
May be required to assist in the wash area which includes, but is not limited to, cleaning equipment such as, rack washers, bottle washers, and autoclaves.

Requirements:

2 year Community College diploma in Veterinary Technology or related field.
Requires 2 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

Experience in animal handling, especially rodents
Experience calculating drug dosages

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

Vaccination Mandate - FHS

This position is located in a host hospital or other healthcare site that has an active vaccination mandate in place. Successful applicants will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment.

Interview Experience

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

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