Positions Available
Temporary Animal Care Technician
The Temporary Animal Care Technician ((T)ACT) will be responsible for ensuring good husbandry and upkeep of various vertebrate and invertebrate species (if needed) within their respective labs in Swarthmore College’s Biology department. The Temporary Animal Care Technician will also be responsible for monitoring animal welfare and compliance with institutional animal care and use policies, as well as federal laws.
The Temporary Animal Care Technician will work under the direction of the Animal Care Technician and Principle Investigators with research animals but will be supervised by the Chair of the Biology Department. The core responsibilities of the (T)ACT are focused on animal husbandry, including daily health and welfare checks, providing food, water, and enrichment, and changing animal cages, tanks, and terrariums. Priority for vertebrate species will be necessary but the incumbent will also perform husbandry for invertebrate species including insects and aquatic invertebrates if needed. The Animal Care Technician will be required to operate equipment such as cage washers, sanitizers, foggers, and autoclaves. This is a limited-term, full-time, non-exempt, 35 hour per week position. The (T)ACT will be required to work weekends and holidays including winter break as part of their regular schedule.
Essential Responsibilities
- Routine animal husbandry care including health care checks, behavior observation, handling, reporting injury/illness, and occasionally administering emergency health treatments.
- Daily cage changing, operating cage washer, sanitizing animal cages, racks, and equipment.
- Noting inventory of supplies and communicating with the full-time ACT when needed, thus ensuring all appropriate spaces are equipped with supplies
- Daily cleaning of animal spaces such as sweeping, mopping, wiping down surfaces, emptying trash.
- (If needed) Prepare water for aquatic invertebrate facilities, perform water changes, tank cleaning, and document water parameters and animal health as feasible.
- Complete daily logs and all relevant non-research related record keeping.
- Participate in standard facility training (ie. in person, virtual, CITI modules, etc).
- Comply with federally mandated animal welfare regulations and institutional animal care and use policies.
- Report any concerns, issues, or emergencies to the Animal Care Technician and Principle Investigators with research animals and/or appropriate personnel.
- Occasionally perform humane euthanasia of animals when necessary.
Additional Responsibilities
- Additional work outside of the regularly scheduled hours may be required. This may include evenings, weekends, and holidays for needed coverage and/or to attend to any animal care emergencies.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
More information, and to apply, here
Posted Mar. 06 2025
Laboratory Instructor
The Swarthmore College Biology Department seeks one or more full-time Laboratory Instructors beginning Fall semester 2025. Responsibilities include assisting faculty in the development, instruction and preparation of laboratories and field trips for introductory and intermediate classes as well as attending lectures, interacting with students, guiding scientific writing, and grading. Our curriculum is student-centered and Laboratory Instructors mentor and support students in their learning. We seek an individual with broad training in biology including lab experience with a preference for individuals with molecular biology expertise. This is an academic-year position (responsibilities from mid-August through mid-May, with salary and benefits paid over 12 months) and renewable contingent on a positive review.
Field work experience is a plus but not required. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's or Master’s degree and bring enthusiasm for learning new concepts and techniques, strong communication skills, and an ability to work collaboratively. Flexibility, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and comfort driving a full-size van and working with a wide range of instrumentation and animals are required.
Located in the suburbs of Philadelphia and near Wilmington DE, Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to diversity. Applicants from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information on Faculty Diversity and Excellence at Swarthmore, see http://www.swarthmore.edu/faculty-diversity-excellence/information-candidates-new-faculty
Qualifications
Our curriculum is student-centered and Laboratory Instructors mentor and support students in their learning. We seek an individual with a Bachelor's or Master’s degree and a broad training in biology with lab experience. Molecular biology expertise is preferred. Field work experience is a plus but not required. The ideal candidate will have enthusiasm for learning new skills and an ability to work well with others. Flexibility, attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and comfort driving a full-size van and working with a wide range of instrumentation and animals are required. The strongest candidates will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to creative teaching that speaks to and motivates undergraduates from diverse backgrounds.
More information and to apply, here.
Posted Mar. 06 2025
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