Companion Animal Research Technician - Level 2

Transpharmation is a dynamic preclinical contract research organization that specializes in high-quality, translational drug discovery services. The company provides a friendly and team-oriented work atmosphere as well as competitive wages and benefits.

JOB SUMMARY

The Research Technician II (“RT II”) will have a clear understanding of and be able to perform a majority of the procedures at Transpharmation within the Companion Animal Department. The RT II will demonstrate a clear understanding of the complexities of a research trial and be able to efficiently follow study protocols, with continued guidance from the Study Director/Coordinator.

The RTII must be familiar with all animals, including their general behaviour, to be able to perform basic study procedures, and be aware of any legitimate health problems.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Activities

• Assisting and performing assigned in vivo study procedures in the Companion Animal Department.
• Recording and documenting experimental details with a high level of integrity, ethics and accuracy.
• Assisting in the preparation of data summary reports, study related data entry, and maintain Quality Control.
• Performing study-related husbandry duties to ensure proper animal care practices are adhered to and are according to CCAC guidelines and facility SOPs.
• Working within a team to ensure that projects are successfully conducted and completed to a high level of quality and scientific competence.
• Participating in the maintenance of an adequate inventory of supplies.
• Assisting the Facility Operations Managers in the maintenance and operation of animal facility and husbandry in accordance with CCAC guidelines and Animals for Research Act.

• Involvement with internal working groups (e.g., animal care committee, health and safety, etc.).
• Explaining techniques to new employees and visitors.
• Training staff on various procedures as appropriate
• May include leading or contributing to project groups (e.g., training initiatives, development of new capabilities, or process improvements).
• Other duties as assigned

Duties associated with the Companion animal department (CAD)

• General techniques:
• Restrain animals for procedures
• Animal Socialization
• Grooming of Canines and Felines
• Animal Husbandry
• Basic Procedures:
  • Operate centrifuges and perform advanced blood separation
  • Restrain animals for procedures as needed
  • Drug administrations (oral, SC)
  • Dog blood collection (venipuncture, catheter)
  • Fecal collection
  • Urine collection (free flow)
  • Body weights
  • Health observations
  • Heart rate acquisition
  • Study feed preparation
• Advanced Procedures:
  • Drug administrations (IM, IV, oral gavage)
  • Venous catheter placement (saphenous, cephalic)
  • QMR
  • Sedation
  • Blood pressure (automatic) acquisition
  • Anaesthetic monitoring and recovery
  • Basic veterinary treatments
  • Basic drug preparation (i.e., pill making, etc.)
  • Biosafety Cabinet/Fume hood usage
  • Drug Preparation and formulation
  • Advanced PPE training
• Cognitive Testing
  • Dog cognitive testing (DNMP, discrimination, pre-training, egocentric, spatial discrimination, landmark, etc.)
• Basic Behavioral/Activity etc. testing:
• Prepare rooms for testing
• Agility Testing (Tmaze)
• Video Scoring (pruritic scoring)
• Actical
• QOL questionnaire video recording
• Advanced Behavioural/Activity Testing:
  • QOL questionnaire scoring
  • Ethovision
  • Global Stress scoring
  • Activity Testing (open field, curiosity, thunderstorm, human interaction)
  • Clicker training
  • ZenoWalkway forcemat data acquisition and analysis
  • Data Management:
• Data entry
• Data QC
• Any other duties as deemed necessary
  
  
• INTERACTION

This position requires coordination of resources (i.e., equipment) with other Research Technicians. It also requires the ability to learn new skills and procedures as well as teach skills efficiently.

• COMMUNICATION

Communications are with the Companion Animal Department Manager, study coordinators, study directors and other facility staff and employees within the organization. Collaboration, execution, and reporting of the quality assurance program. Verbal communication is required to request and receive instructions for work, to report on activities, results, problems, and to participate in planning and scheduling of work and equipment use. Written communication is required for accurate and detailed recording of procedures, for reporting results and for completing documentation. Reading and comprehension of written protocols and manuals is essential.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• ENVIRONMENT

There will be occasional periods of several hours per day exposed to noxious odours from diagnostic materials and/or samples. There will also be the occasional need to work with chemicals in a controlled environment.

• RISK TO HEALTH

There will be the occasional exposure to small quantities of toxic irritant or corrosive chemicals as well as exposure to freezers (-80C) while storing and retrieving materials and liquid nitrogen (-200C) for sample processing.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The demands of this position include: standing, bending, twisting, lifting, holding power wash wand and pulling a trigger for extended periods of time, lifting animals in and out of cages on a regular basis, carrying liquid containers, carrying boxes weighing up to 20 kg and daily periods of keyboarding.

• PHYSICAL DEXTERITY

Agility, accuracy and consistency will be required while handling precision instruments such as, pipettes, balances, and pH meters. Strong fine motor skills in fingers, hands, and arms.

Qualifications

• EDUCATION

• Veterinary diploma or B.Sc. degree in a relevant field (e.g., Pharmacology, Pharmacokinetics, Veterinary Sciences, Biochemistry) and/or relevant experience with at least 2 years of direct experience.
• ARLAT, RLAT or MRLAT is encouraged (CALAS).
  
  
• Experience
• Experience as a Research Technician I for at least 2 years or equivalent experience
• Experience within a laboratory environment
• Experience handling confidential laboratory and scientific data
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and to meet timelines
• Experience in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word).

• Knowledge

• Knowledge of the basic principles of biology, immunology and chemistry
• Knowledge of the principles of safe handling of potentially pathogenic substances and contaminated materials
• Familiar with the following acts and regulations: ISO Guide 17025 (2017) and GLP (both Code of Federal Regulations and OECD guidelines).
• Knowledge of CCAC and OMAFA regulations
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety practices
• Knowledge of the principles of scientific research
• Knowledge and understanding of Transpharmation Canada’s Standard Operating Procedures
• Knowledge of computers, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases

Disclaimer

As part of our recruitment process, we may use digital or artificial intelligence–enabled tools to assist with tasks such as résumé screening, skills matching, or scheduling. These tools do not make final hiring decisions. All employment decisions are made by people.

We are committed to fair, inclusive, and bias‑aware hiring practices and comply with Ontario legislation. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.