Animal Care Associate
Content + Source + Freshness • 15 Dec 2025 • 95% confidence
Offer value
Offers solid entry-level experience in research facilities with potential for rapid progression if performance is strong.
- Strong entry-level position with potential for advancement
- Engagement in health-related research and welfare
- Hands-on work in a supportive research environment
Pros
- Opportunity for career advancement to full-time after temporary role
- Engagement in vital research impacting health outcomes
- Hands-on experience in regulated environment
Cons
- Temporary status introduces uncertainty to job stability
- Potentially demanding physical tasks and working hours
- Limited pay range compared to longer-term positions
Who it's for
Entry / Early Career • On-site
Good fit
- Entry-level job seekers interested in research animal care
- Individuals with a passion for animal welfare and science
- Candidates looking for a potentially permanent role
Not recommended for
- Candidates unwilling to work in potentially demanding conditions
- Individuals seeking defined roles without variability
- Job seekers desiring guaranteed permanent positions
Motivation fit
Key skills
About the job
For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.
JOB SUMMARY
As an Animal Care Associate for our production site in Raleigh, NC, you will be responsible for the well-being of our research animals. Your contribution will ensure the health of our animals, as well as impact the lives of patients across the world. You will perform routine animal husbandry and other production duties. You will also maintain supplies and environment of environmentally-controlled work area(s).
* This is a temporary opportunity with the potential to be hired as a full-time, employee.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Perform routine animal husbandry duties and monitor daily health and welfare to maintain quality and health of animals.
- Handle, transfer, and distribute animals, supplies and waste as needed to and from work area(s).
- Monitor animal health by observing animal behavior, physical appearance, and physical environment. Identify and report any abnormal findings.
- Responsible for collecting health monitoring swabs and following health monitoring schedules.
- Perform physical environment housekeeping duties and production operations according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and/or Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Maintain recordkeeping pertaining to animal or supply area inventories.
- Strictly follow all procedures necessary to maintain the barrier room barrier.
- Use supplies according to safety guidelines. Perform all job-related duties in accordance with company safety procedures.
- Colony Management
- Perform all other related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
No experience required. On the job training will be provided.
ROLE SPECIFIC INFORMATION:
- Location: Raleigh, NC
- Pay: $17.75 – $19.00 / hour
- Schedule: Start times fall between 4:00am – 6:00 am, working 9 hour shifts Monday – Thursday and a 4 hour shift on Friday. Weekend rotation is required.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Regularly required to utilize a computer/tablet.
- Regularly required to stand, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
- Regularly required to stand and ascend/descend rolling platform ladder (up to six steps) to perform all tasks and procedures related to the job.
- Regularly transports supplies, removes waste, and/or laboratory equipment while ascending/descending rolling platform stairs (up to six steps).
- Regularly positions self (stoop, crouch, squat, sit, reach) to access and inspect small models and be able to assess their conditions and environment from various distances.
- Regularly lifts and/or moves materials weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally lifts and/or moves materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- May occasionally lift and/or move equipment and materials weighing 30-50 pounds, and equipment and materials weighing over 50 pounds with assistance.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception, and the ability to differentiate colors.
- Regularly works with chemicals that require the use of respirators. Medical clearance is required prior to using respirators.
The pay range for this position is $17.75-$19.00 / hour. Please note that salaries vary within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.
About Research Models & ServicesFundamental to basic research and discovery is the use of in vivo models to help identify disease targets and determine potential biological pathways that regulate the condition. As the world’s leader in the production and distribution of the highest quality research animal, with 1 out of 2 animal models produced for preclinical research globally, we understand the importance of this step. With seven decades of experience, our expertise is unmatched, allowing us to provide you with the perfect model, including disease-specific and preconditioned options, for basic research and beyond.
About Charles RiverCharles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.
With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.
At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe. We have proudly supported the development of 86% of the drugs approved by the FDA in 2021.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Charles River Laboratories is an Equal Opportunity Employer – all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
If you are interested in applying to Charles River Laboratories and need special assistance or an accommodation due to a disability to complete any forms or to otherwise participate in the resume submission process, please contact a member of our Human Resources team by sending an e-mail message to crrecruitment_US@crl.com. This contact is for accommodation requests for individuals with disabilities only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.
For more information, please visit www.criver.com.
