Research Technician, Sr., DLAR Vet Services

School of Medicine

Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe. Composed of more than 2,600 faculty physicians and researchers, nearly 2,000 students, and more than 6,200 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, and Duke University Health System comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Health Integrated Practice, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home Care and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

Join Our Team as a Research Technician, Sr. – Veterinary Services

Are you passionate about advancing animal care and supporting groundbreaking research and have experience in anesthesia?

Be You.

We’re seeking a dedicated and experienced Research Technician, Sr., to collaborate closely with the Senior Manager of Veterinary Services for Regulated Species. In this pivotal role, you’ll help shape and streamline departmental operations, enhance communication, and ensure the highest standards of animal welfare. From supporting study protocols and training new staff to performing advanced veterinary and surgical procedures, you’ll play a key role in maintaining compliance with DLAR, IACUC, AAALAC, PHS, and USDA standards—while contributing to a culture of excellence in research and care.

Work Arrangement – On-Site

Anticipated Pay Range - Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $28.76 to USD $42.66. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members.

Learn more at: https: //hr.duke.edu/benefits/

DEPARTMENTAL PREFERENCES

The successful candidate will be proficient in anesthesia.

RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) preferred.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education - Work generally requires skills acquired through the completion of a bachelor's degree in botany, biology, zoology, Psychology or other science related scientific field program.

Experience – Work requires four years of research experience.

A related master's degree may offset required years of experience on a 1:1 basis, e.g., a two-year master's degree in lieu of two years of experience.

OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE.

Be Bold.

Skills

Clinical observations & evaluation of animal health status for a variety of species; anesthesia setup, monitoring and intubation of canines, swine, NHPs, rabbits, and other species as needed; administration of daily treatments and medications via a variety of routes; blood collection and IV catheter placement; basic diagnostic lab techniques; basic radiograph techniques; basic NHP, swine, canine, rabbit, and rodent restraint techniques; ability to follow and enhance enrichment plans for NHP and other species; intra- and interdepartmental communication; organization.

Work Performed

• Ensures research and DLAR staff adhere to all federal, state, local, and university laws, regulations, policies, and guidelines regarding the use of animals in research.
• Prepares for USDA, AAALAC, OLAW, IACUC, and DEA site visits. Ensures all DLAR Clinical Services areas are in good standing and are ‘audit ready’.
• Ensures pharmaceutical and supply needs are met to support PI’s research for surgical, technical, and clinical services.
• Assists the Manager in identifying SOP needs and in the creation of SOPs.
• Attends and participates in pre- and post-study meetings with PIs and veterinary staff as assigned.
• Provides feedback regarding protocols to the Manager and veterinary staff, including amendment recommendations.
• Performs duties of Vet Tech I-III and Research Tech I-III as assigned by the supervisor and/or veterinary team based on operational needs.
• Maintains appropriate documentation for all duties following all applicable departmental, institutional, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, policies, guidelines, SOPs, and contemporary professional standards.
• Assists in training staff members and in assessing proficiency of skills.
• Collaborates with other technicians and managers to ensure adequate inventory is in stock for all services provided and emergency needs, and information sheets (lab drug protocols, procedure checklists, etc.) are kept up to date.
• Performs other related duties incidental to the work described herein as assigned by the Manager and/or veterinary team based on operational needs.

Surgical Services Senior Technician

• Prepares and ensures surgical equipment is available, in good working order, and ready prior to surgeries.
• Keeps a running inventory of DLAR’s surgical instruments, surgical machinery, and other supplies needed for surgeries.
• Works with the Senior Manager, Research Support, to ensure all equipment is functional, appropriately maintained and calibrated and to troubleshoot/correct equipment problems or schedule service needs with service companies in a timely manner.
• Reviews surgical records to ensure proper documentation, follows-up with team members as needed.

Veterinary Services Senior Technician

• Manages supplies needed for emergency and critical care for all species under DLAR care.
• Coordinates with veterinarians on an as-needed basis to provide care and supply medical intervention to clinical cases, and communicates needs with fellow technicians.
• Collaborates with the surgical lead to ensure pre- and post-op care of animals undergoing surgical procedures are adequately prepared.
• Reviews records of animals that received clinical services, both protocol- and non-protocol-related, and performs follow-up with team members as needed to ensure proper documentation is completed.

Technical Services Senior Technician

• Manages supplies needed for technical (non-surgical) services as needed according to PI request needs.
• Maintains and updates checklists and drug sheets for each PI and their lab’s routine services.
• Acts as the main point of contact for conducting semi-annual exams for USDA species, including NHPs and dogs. 
• Reviews records of animals under DLAR care that received planned Technical Services and performs follow-up with team members as needed to ensure proper documentation is completed. 
• Assists in and maintains semi-annual, annual, and monthly schedules of vaccines, weights/nail trims, dentals, and other similar recurring events for multiple species according to the DLAR health calendar.

Special Conditions of Employment

Working Schedule

• Must be able to work a flexible working schedule based on workload and deadlines;
• Must be able to work assigned standard schedules, including (but not limited to) Mon-Fri, Wed-Sun, and Tue-Sat shifts;
• Must be able to work on rotating on-call duties after hours and on weekends.

Occupational Health and Safety

As a safeguard for the employee and the animals, medical examinations and risk assessments are performed. Some immunizations or further diagnostics may be required before working with specific animals or animal populations as determined by occupational health medical personnel, including, but not limited to:

• TB testing and clearance;
• Hepatitis B (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Rabies (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Tetanus (current vaccination less than 10 years);
• Measles (proof of immunization and/or vaccination);
• Periodic physical examinations including respiratory fit tests);
• Other vaccines or testing as required by EOHW standards.

Hazard Exposure

The animal facility has a variety of environmental conditions. Specifically, employees may be exposed to potentially hazardous noise, dust, chemicals, extreme heat, and animal waste products. The duration of exposure of any of the above is dependent on assigned duties. Some aspects of this position may expose the incumbent to potentially zoonotic and other biohazardous agents. Appropriate protective clothing and equipment may be required and will be provided when required, accompanied by appropriate training.

Professional Conduct and Behavior

Demonstrates professional conduct and behavior at all times when performing job duties and rendering services to the scientific community, especially as they relate to customer service, attendance and punctuality, respectful demeanor and interactions, professional language and communications, appropriate effort and initiative, accountability and integrity, boundary maintenance and confidentiality, emotional self-regulation and responsiveness to feedback.

Maintains professional standards and adheres to all federal, state, local, and university regulations and policies regarding the use of animals in research while performing job duties.

Fosters teamwork and collegiality between the various groups within DLAR and the scientific community.

Choose Duke.

Ready to make a meaningful impact in veterinary research and animal care?

Apply today to join a collaborative, mission-driven team where your expertise will help support innovative scientific discovery.

We look forward to welcoming a passionate professional who thrives in a dynamic, compliance-focused environment.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends onthe robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.