Inside Higher Ed
Job no: 495768 | Part Time | Swarthmore | Salary: $22.00-$25.00 per hour
Who We Are Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence, nondiscrimination, and encourages candidates who will advance a diverse and inclusive community. The 425‑acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
The Opportunity The Animal Care & Research Technician (ACRT) will work with staff, faculty, and students to maintain day‑to‑day operations of vertebrate and non‑vertebrate labs in the Psychology and Biology Departments. Responsibilities focus on animal husbandry, daily health and welfare checks, food, water, enrichment, and cage changing. The ACRT will assist with research activities as directed by PIs, including curricular support for laboratory‑based courses (e.g., research practica). The role requires flexible time management and acquisition of new competencies as projects change over time. This part‑time position (17.5 hours per week) includes working some weekend days and holidays, including winter break.
Essential Responsibilities
Routine animal husbandry care, including health checks, behavior observation, handling, adding food and water, reporting injury or illness, and administering emergency health treatments when needed.
Daily cage changing, operating cage washer, and sanitizing animal cages, racks, and equipment.
Daily cleaning of animal spaces such as sweeping, mopping, wiping down surfaces, and emptying trash.
Assist with keeping inventory of animals and supplies; rotating stock; and ensuring all appropriate spaces are equipped with supplies.
Complete daily logs and all relevant non‑research record keeping for regulatory oversight.
Share in on‑call responsibilities.
Comply with federally mandated animal welfare regulations and institutional animal care and use policies.
Occasionally perform humane euthanasia of animals.
Report any concerns, issues or emergencies to the Animal Facility Specialist, PIs, and the IACUC veterinarian.
Training & Research Activities
Participate in standard facility training and research‑specific training (e.g., in person, virtual, CITI modules).
Maintain medical clearance to meet Occupational Health and Safety Program Requirements (PHS Assurance).
Read lab protocols.
Train and supervise students working in the lab when needed.
Assist in research‑related activities as directed by PIs, such as weighing animals, separating rodent pups from mothers, changing food in cages, transferring animals, labeling cages, operating home‑cage feeding devices, setting up and breaking down experimental equipment, collecting behavioral measurements, collecting tissue or blood samples, assisting surgeries, injections, and neural recordings.
Take detailed notes and notify PIs of deviations from protocols.
Required Qualifications What you bring:
Prior experience working with animals in some capacity, or demonstrated potential to work in an animal research setting.
Background indicating familiarity with scientific concepts and principles, or a willingness to learn them.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Google equivalents (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field.
Experience working in a veterinary clinic, animal research facility, or equivalent laboratory environment.
Prior experience with facilities/equipment troubleshooting.
What You Will Get You’ll work at one of the world’s most renowned liberal arts colleges, with a beautiful 420‑acre campus and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who support college students, faculty, and staff.
Application Deadline For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume and a cover letter by January 16, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Salary and Benefits Annual range for this position is $22.00–$25.00 per hour. The salary is determined based on qualifications, departmental budget, internal equity, and market information.
Criminal Clearance Swarthmore College requires a PA criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
EEO Statement Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
Benefits Swarthmore offers comprehensive benefits, including retirement contributions, tuition grants, reimbursement programs, paid time off, and holiday schedule.
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Who We Are Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence, nondiscrimination, and encourages candidates who will advance a diverse and inclusive community. The 425‑acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.
The Opportunity The Animal Care & Research Technician (ACRT) will work with staff, faculty, and students to maintain day‑to‑day operations of vertebrate and non‑vertebrate labs in the Psychology and Biology Departments. Responsibilities focus on animal husbandry, daily health and welfare checks, food, water, enrichment, and cage changing. The ACRT will assist with research activities as directed by PIs, including curricular support for laboratory‑based courses (e.g., research practica). The role requires flexible time management and acquisition of new competencies as projects change over time. This part‑time position (17.5 hours per week) includes working some weekend days and holidays, including winter break.
Essential Responsibilities
Routine animal husbandry care, including health checks, behavior observation, handling, adding food and water, reporting injury or illness, and administering emergency health treatments when needed.
Daily cage changing, operating cage washer, and sanitizing animal cages, racks, and equipment.
Daily cleaning of animal spaces such as sweeping, mopping, wiping down surfaces, and emptying trash.
Assist with keeping inventory of animals and supplies; rotating stock; and ensuring all appropriate spaces are equipped with supplies.
Complete daily logs and all relevant non‑research record keeping for regulatory oversight.
Share in on‑call responsibilities.
Comply with federally mandated animal welfare regulations and institutional animal care and use policies.
Occasionally perform humane euthanasia of animals.
Report any concerns, issues or emergencies to the Animal Facility Specialist, PIs, and the IACUC veterinarian.
Training & Research Activities
Participate in standard facility training and research‑specific training (e.g., in person, virtual, CITI modules).
Maintain medical clearance to meet Occupational Health and Safety Program Requirements (PHS Assurance).
Read lab protocols.
Train and supervise students working in the lab when needed.
Assist in research‑related activities as directed by PIs, such as weighing animals, separating rodent pups from mothers, changing food in cages, transferring animals, labeling cages, operating home‑cage feeding devices, setting up and breaking down experimental equipment, collecting behavioral measurements, collecting tissue or blood samples, assisting surgeries, injections, and neural recordings.
Take detailed notes and notify PIs of deviations from protocols.
Required Qualifications What you bring:
Prior experience working with animals in some capacity, or demonstrated potential to work in an animal research setting.
Background indicating familiarity with scientific concepts and principles, or a willingness to learn them.
Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or Google equivalents (Docs, Sheets, Slides).
Preferred Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field.
Experience working in a veterinary clinic, animal research facility, or equivalent laboratory environment.
Prior experience with facilities/equipment troubleshooting.
What You Will Get You’ll work at one of the world’s most renowned liberal arts colleges, with a beautiful 420‑acre campus and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who support college students, faculty, and staff.
Application Deadline For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume and a cover letter by January 16, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Salary and Benefits Annual range for this position is $22.00–$25.00 per hour. The salary is determined based on qualifications, departmental budget, internal equity, and market information.
Criminal Clearance Swarthmore College requires a PA criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.
EEO Statement Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.
Benefits Swarthmore offers comprehensive benefits, including retirement contributions, tuition grants, reimbursement programs, paid time off, and holiday schedule.
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