Animal Care Worker

Description:

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is currently seeking a Part-Time Occasional Animal Care Worker to join its Animal Resources Division in Montreal. This is an excellent opportunity for individuals passionate about animal welfare, biomedical science, and contributing to cutting-edge health research. The successful candidate will play an essential role in maintaining the highest standards of care and welfare for laboratory animals used in research projects across RI-MUHC facilities.

Working under the supervision of the Animal Resources Division Manager, the Animal Care Worker performs daily animal husbandry and facility maintenance duties, supports research operations, and ensures compliance with institutional animal care and ethical guidelines. This position involves flexibility and reliability, as hours vary depending on research schedules and operational needs.

About the Organization

The RI-MUHC is a world-renowned biomedical and hospital research centre, affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University and supported by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS). It is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC), committed to advancing knowledge in biomedical science and improving patient care through innovation and discovery.

Learn more: RI-MUHC Website

Key Responsibilities

• Perform daily husbandry tasks related to animal care and maintenance, ensuring compliance with institutional and ethical standards.

• Clean, wash, and disinfect animal cages, rooms, and related equipment to maintain a hygienic and safe environment.

• Record and report all relevant data regarding animal care, health, and facility conditions.

• Receive, store, and distribute animal feed, bedding, and other supplies necessary for the maintenance of research animals.

• Assist in maintaining inventory of materials, equipment, and consumables used within the animal facility.

• Distribute clean linen and uniforms to designated areas.

• Operate and monitor specialized equipment and tools used in animal care.

• Support researchers and technical staff in ensuring efficient facility operations and high standards of animal welfare.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong organizational and time-management abilities with the capacity to handle multiple tasks efficiently.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to interact with researchers, supervisors, and team members.

• Ability to adapt to various work environments and function with minimal supervision.

• Proficiency in French and English, spoken and written.

• Prior experience working with animals is an asset, though training will be provided.

• Demonstrated reliability and commitment to animal care ethics.

Education & Experience

• Previous experience in animal handling or facility maintenance preferred (training available for new hires).

• Educational background in animal care, life sciences, or related fields is considered an advantage.

Additional Information

• Status: Temporary, part-time, occasional (on-call). Hours will vary according to the operational needs of the division.

• Training: Mandatory initial training period of 2 consecutive weeks (Mon–Fri, 35 hours/week) at the start of employment.

• Work Schedule: Variable – typically starting at 7:00 a.m., may include weekends, holidays, and vacation replacements.

• Work Sites: Glen Site and HGM Site, Montreal.

• Pay Scale: $22.83 – $34.26 per hour (based on qualifications and experience).

Benefits

• 3 paid sick days per year (including 1 personal day).

• Participation in the RREGOP Government Pension Plan (Defined Benefit Plan).

• Vacation prorated according to hours and salary.

• 5.3% of gross earnings added to pay in lieu of statutory holidays.

• Training and professional development opportunities in a world-class research environment.

More info: RI-MUHC Careers
Benefits overview: Compensation & Benefits