The Lab Technician position supports instruction performed in the veterinary anatomy lab, such as:

• Prepare, maintain, and coordinate anatomical specimens.
• Clean, organize and maintain the veterinary anatomy lab teaching space and specimen preparation space.
• Provide digital images of prepared specimens for educational purposes.
• Assist/participate (to the level skills allow) in teaching anatomy to veterinary students.

The Lab Technician will be hired at either level I or II depending on qualifications and duties assigned (see Qualification section)  It will report to Scott Hexum. This classification has no supervisory responsibilities.

• Performing dissections and coordinate the course schedule to have them available during and after scheduled lab times
• Maintain current inventory of preserved, fresh, and skeletal anatomical specimens. Develop and implement a strategy to increase the number of specimens to account for the eventual increase in the number of students admitted into our program
• Learn and provide instruction in building skeletal specimens
• Maintain the dermestid beetle colonies
• Process bones using beetles, maceration, chemical degreasing, and whitening agents
• Embalm canines, equines, bovines, caprines, and ovines, and possibly other species, as needed for student and instructional staff dissections and learning opportunities
• Monitor inventory of supplies, including the first aid and chemical cabinets, and advise when necessary to replenish the supplies
• Be responsible for cleaning and organizing the anatomy lab, prep area, coolers, and freezers to include sweeping, mopping, wiping down surfaces, trash removal, etc., as required/requested by supervisor.
• Coordinate with the director of the willed-body program to procure fresh specimens to be embalmed
• Clean dissection instruments and reassemble them into dissection kits
• Ensure waste tissue is placed into incinerator bags to be taken to the UVDL for disposal
• Attend meetings as required
• Other duties may be assigned as necessary

Minimum Qualification:

• This position will be hired at one of two possible levels:
  • For Lab Technician I:
    • At least 6 months experience; or an associate degree
  • For Lab Technician II:
    • Lab Technician II at least 2 years’ experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in biology, animal science, or a related field. 
• Experience working in an anatomy or research laboratory is highly desirable.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted at the end of your application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Most of the job duties will be conducted indoors, protected from weather and/or associated contaminants without extreme temperature changes. Working in the anatomy lab will expose the educational specialist to preservative and embalming chemicals and their odors, as well as the odors associated with dissecting fresh and fixed animal tissue. Rarely, the employee will be required to work outdoors to procure specimens. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions, such as when working on a computer or dissecting. Frequent reaching with hands and arms, as well as lifting and moving 50 lbs. is required.

The Lab Technician will be joining the college at an exciting point of transformation. Currently, the USU College of Veterinary Medicine participates in a "2+2" program with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University and the broader Washington-Idaho-Montana-Utah (WIMU) Regional Program in Veterinary Medicine, which provides instruction to 30 students in each class cohort. However, in 2022 the state of Utah approved the creation of a full four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree program at USU, with the goal of admitting its inaugural class of 40 students in the fall of 2025 and supporting a class size of 80 veterinary students in subsequent years. The new college is the only veterinary medical education program in Utah.

The Utah State University College of Veterinary Medicine is dedicated to providing top-tier education and training to the next generation of veterinarians. Our program emphasizes hands-on learning, innovative teaching methods, and a commitment to excellence in veterinary care. Join our dynamic team and contribute to shaping the future of veterinary medicine.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge through research and scholarly activities, providing a high-quality undergraduate and graduate education at an affordable price.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 01/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

Executive Director of the Office of Equity Matthew Pinner, discrimination@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 401, 435-797-1266

Title IX Coordinator Cody Carmichael, titleix@usu.edu, Distance Education Rm. 404, 435-797-1266

Mailing address: 5100 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit https://equity.usu.edu/, or contact:

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov

*updated 09/2023