Full-Time

Research Associate

Scientific Services

Posted on 10/3/2025

Altasciences

Altasciences

1,001-5,000 employees

Integrated CRO for early-phase drug development

Compensation Overview

$23 - $30/hr

Sacramento, CA, USA

In Person

Category
Medical, Clinical & Veterinary (1)
Requirements
  • High school diploma or equivalent required; BS/BA in a scientific discipline, preferred
  • Qualified to train on the majority of procedures for scientific services, research associate II in at least one species
  • Qualified to perform the majority of target levels for procedures set for a scientific services, research associate I for all species and/or ability to perform all procedures for a specialized area within the department
  • 2+ years related work experience
  • Intermediate computer experience including Microsoft Office suite, Project, Access and Info Path
  • Adapt easily to new software
  • English proficiency required to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedural manuals and protocols, and write routine reports and correspondence
  • Basic math skills as needed to calculate and interpret scientific data
  • Demonstrated attention to detail
  • Multi-task and maintain organization in a fast paced, changing environment
  • Manage change effectively
  • Identify and resolve problems as they are encountered
Responsibilities
  • Follow SOPs and Protocols to perform procedures on study and stock animals, including, but not limited to: clinical observations, food consumptions, body weights, urine collection, administering injectable anesthesia, mating procedures, blood draws (all routes), dose administration (all routes), euthanasia, catheter placement, restraint, enrichment, and feeding and food removal
  • Follow written and verbal instruction: Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), protocols, daily schedules, etc.
  • Legibly record and reviews raw data for studies and facility
  • Handle and restrain laboratory animals, including but not limited to, mice, rats, rabbits, canines, and non-human primates
  • Obtain animal information (tattoo, sex, ear tag, ear notch, etc.), recognizes animal behavior and health status, and reports to appropriate personnel
  • Set up procedures and maintains ancillaries on study animals
  • Operate selected laboratory equipment (i.e., glucometer, Harvard pump, digital thermometer)
  • Monitor and report changes in animal behavior and health, and/or problems with animal room (e.g., caging, lights, and temperature) to all appropriate personnel
  • Monitor and report study changes to study director and all appropriate personnel
  • Attend department meetings, reviews, and other pertinent training sessions
  • Maintain and perform general facility cleaning, and inventory
  • Create, review, and revise SOPs relating to animals, technical procedures, and facility issues
  • Perform husbandry duties
  • Cross-training opportunities in several departments
  • May perform duties of a research specialist or study supervisor
  • Assist with creation of study and staff schedules
Desired Qualifications
  • BS/BA in a scientific discipline, preferred
  • Qualified to train on the majority of procedures for scientific services, research associate II in at least one species
  • Qualified to perform the majority of target levels for procedures set for a scientific services, research associate I for all species and/or ability to perform all procedures for a specialized area within the department

Altasciences provides an integrated CRO that handles the full early‑phase drug development path, from preclinical testing through clinical proof of concept and into manufacturing. Its approach combines discovery support, safety testing, clinical trial execution, and in‑house manufacturing to run programs under one roof. This contrasts with competitors that require pharma and biotech clients to source services from multiple vendors, adding complexity and risk; Altasciences streamlines the process by coordinating all steps. The company aims to help innovator drug programs move quickly and efficiently, delivering integrated data to de‑risk decisions and speed progression to later stages.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

Early VC

Total Funding

$6.7M

Headquarters

Laval, Canada

Founded

1976

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Biotech/pharma consolidation demand for single-vendor early-phase development solutions increases.
  • 3D tissue technology adoption reduces animal testing costs and accelerates regulatory approval timelines.
  • Geographic footprint and participant database enable rapid enrollment for mid-size biopharma sponsors.

What critics are saying

  • Novo Holdings divesting Altasciences signals poor financial performance and operational cutbacks.
  • Charles River aggressive pricing on integrated packages captures 20% mid-size biopharma contracts.
  • AI-driven preclinical platforms from Insilico Medicine displace traditional animal safety pharmacology testing.

What makes Altasciences unique

  • Integrated CRO/CDMO spanning preclinical safety testing through Phase IV bioanalysis and manufacturing.
  • 9 North American facilities with 500,000+ participant database conducting 285+ trials annually.
  • VoxCell partnership integrates 3D tissue technology for human-relevant preclinical testing.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Holidays

Employee Assistance & Telehealth Programs

Remote Work Options

Company News

GlobeNewswire
Mar 16th, 2026
Outlook Therapeutics Announces New $18.4 Million Non-Convertible Note Financing and Amendment to Existing Convertible Note

ISELIN, N.J., March 16, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Outlook Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: OTLK), a biopharmaceutical company focused on enhancing the standard...

Business Wire
Aug 20th, 2025
Altasciences Receives EcoVadis Gold Medal for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Efforts

EcoVadis, the world's most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, has collaborated closely with Altasciences to enhance its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives, underscoring the company's commitment to a sustainable future and a reduced environmental footprint.

Yahoo Finance
Jul 31st, 2025
Altasciences and VoxCell BioInnovation Announce Strategic Collaboration to Advance Preclinical Drug Development

This partnership combines Altasciences' comprehensive early-phase drug development capabilities with VoxCell's cutting-edge 3D tissue technology to offer a more predictive and human-relevant preclinical testing environment.

Postmedia Network
Mar 28th, 2025
Altasciences Receives 2025 CDMO Leadership Award in Small Molecule Dosage Form Category

For 14 years, Outsourced Pharma's CDMO Leadership Awards have recognized the top-performing contract development and manufacturing organizations based on comprehensive industry research, and feedback from sponsors.

BioSpace
May 29th, 2024
Altasciences Receives 2024 CRO Leadership Award for Capabilities

Altasciences receives 2024 CRO Leadership Award for Capabilities.

INACTIVE