Job Title: Comparative Medicine Specialist I Job Description Overview The Division of Laboratory Animal Resources within the School of Medicine (SOM) supports animal research for various studies including cancer, organ transplant, antibody, ophthalmic, and flu. Candidates must be comfortable with breeding animals for research and euthanasia. Responsibilities include providing husbandry to laboratory animals, maintaining animal inventory records, and performing facility sanitation. This position requires weekend and holiday work hours and involves daily exposure to laboratory animals and their waste products. Candidates will primarily be responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of animals' habitats and following strict protocols to ensure animals are available for research. Hours - Monday-Friday from 7:00a-3:30p - Weekends required every 6-8 weeks Opportunity - 5-month contract to hire - 100% onsite - 3 openings at one location (must pay for parking) - 1 opening at RTP campus (free parking) Interview Process - 2-step interview process: 1st a phone screen with HR, 2nd a face-to-face interview onsite with the hiring manager (including a tour of the facility). Progressions New hires typically go through the following progression: - Cage Wash rotation for 1-3 months to learn foundation and workflow - Training with a dedicated trainer for 2-3 weeks to learn protocols and SOPs - Hands-on experience with a CMS III in the animal rooms - Typically, employees go permanent and have 18 months to get certified. DLAR provides incentives like study materials for the certification test. Career Path - The CMS position is a great foundation for lab animal research and offers multiple career pathways. - There is a 4-level career ladder within animal husbandry: CMS I --> CMS I +5% raise (with ALAT certification) --> CMS Sr +10% raise (after ~2-3 years) --> CMS Assistant Manager +10% raise. - Other paths within DLAR include positions in the veterinary diagnostic lab, technical services team, rodent health team, and breeding core. Euthanasia at DLAR - Euthanasia is performed by a trained group, and it is addressed during orientation if consultants are uncomfortable with it. - Euthanasia for small animals is performed in CO2 chambers followed by a secondary euthanasia. - Training includes reasons for euthanizing animals, such as post-study tissue assessment and protocol updates. - Orientation covers animal welfare concerns and encourages reporting inappropriate handling or prolonged sickness of animals. PLEASE NOTE: DLAR is opening a new facility in RTP, leading to higher work volumes and available overtime paid at time and a half. Candidates must be aware of this to prevent attrition. Hard Skills + Animal Husbandry + Documentation and Record Maintenance + Attention to Detail Soft Skills + Comfort with Handling Rodents + Ability to Work in Smelly Conditions + Teamwork Job Type This is a Contract-to-Hire position with a duration of 6 Month(s). Work Site This is a fully on-site position in Durham, North Carolina. Work Environment The DLAR labs house animals, so there is a scent that takes adjusting to. Candidates will work alongside research scientists and tenured comparative medicine specialists in rooms that may be smelly and contain cages with rodent feces. Overtime is available due to the opening of a new facility. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I are embedded into our culture through: + Hiring diverse talent + Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection + Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes + Ensuring growth opportunities for our people The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com (%20actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com) for other accommodation options.