At the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the causes of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia, Pennington Biomedical Research Center is a campus of Louisiana State University and conducts basic, clinical and population research. The Center includes Basic Science, Clinical Research, and Population and Public Health, enabling both focused research and translational science. Research at Pennington Biomedical is supported broadly by multiple NIH Research Centers, and includes approximately 65 faculty and 20 postdoctoral fellows who comprise a network of 44 laboratories and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Position Type:Classified
Department:LSUPBRC CBC - Operations (Rosemary Bolin (00082507))
Work Location:LSU - Pennington Biomedical
Pay Grade:
Job Description:
Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a world-renowned academic research institute of Louisiana State University, Laboratory Technical Assistant in Cores.
This is a classified position, and rules of the position are governed by State Civil Service.
An ideal candidate should possess the following competencies:
Displaying Expertise: The ability to demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject-matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.
Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
Thinking Strategically: The ability to anticipate trends, understand context, and align actions with long-term priorities.
Working Safely: The ability to maintain a safe work environment by following established safety rules, procedures, and practices.
Minimum Qualifications
Laboratory Technical Assistant 1:
No experience or training required.
Laboratory Technical Assistant 2:
Every six semester hours earned from an accredited college or university in any of the biological, physical, chemical, or agricultural sciences will substitute for one year of the required experience.
Laboratory Technical Assistant 3:
Two years of experience as a phlebotomist, EKG/ECG technician, pulmonary technician, or respiratory care technician, or in the care, preparation or handling of laboratory specimens, animals, or cadavers; OR
An associate's degree in medical technology, nursing, clinical laboratory science, or a biological, physical, or chemical science; OR
Certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician by the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science.
EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION for Laboratory Technical Assistant 3:
Every six semester hours earned from an accredited college or university in any of the biological, physical, chemical, or agricultural sciences will substitute for one year of the required experience.
Job Specifications
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here 1, 2, 3 .
Job Duties
- Provides daily husbandry and care for research animals by feeding, watering, monitoring health, administering basic treatments, and maintaining animal records.
- Monitors animal health and facility conditions to ensure animal welfare, environmental standards, and compliance with biosafety protocols.
- Oversees quarantine and biosecurity activities to support animal receiving, disease prevention, and colony health.
- Maintains animal census, breeding, and production records using computerized animal management systems.
- Performs cleaning, sanitation, and sterilization duties to maintain a safe and compliant research environment.
- Follows established policies, procedures, and safety standards to ensure compliance with animal care regulations and workplace requirements.
Position-Specific Details
Appointment Type: Probational
Career Progression: This position participates in a Career Progression Group.
Work Schedule: Work hours are 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday. Some weekend coverage.
Compensation: The salary offered will be determined based on qualifications and experience. The approved hiring range is $11.67 – $18.72.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center seeks to recruit a highly productive workforce with a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
Additional Job Description:Competencies:NoneSpecial Instructions:Laboratory Technical Assistant
Posting Date:July 24, 2026
Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):August 7, 2026
Additional Position Information:
Pennington Biomedical is located within state-of-the-art research facilities on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. For more information, visit PBRC.
Questions regarding career opportunities at Pennington Biomedical should be sent to [email protected].
Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.
Benefits - Pennington Biomedical Research Center offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!
Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.
Essential Position (Y/N):
Pennington Biomedical Research Center/LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Contact Information:
Questions or concerns can be directed to PBRC Human Resources at 225-763-2776 or [email protected].
Skills Required
- No experience or training required (Laboratory Technical Assistant 1)
- Education substitution: every six semester hours in relevant sciences substitutes for one year of required experience (applies to Laboratory Technical Assistant 2 and 3)
- Two years of experience as a phlebotomist, EKG/ECG technician, pulmonary or respiratory care technician, or in care/preparation/handling of laboratory specimens, animals, or cadavers (Laboratory Technical Assistant 3)
- Associate's degree in medical technology, nursing, clinical laboratory science, or a biological/physical/chemical science (alternative for Laboratory Technical Assistant 3)
- Certification as an Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (AALAS) (alternative for Laboratory Technical Assistant 3)
- Satisfactory pre-employment background check
- Availability to work scheduled hours (7:00 AM - 3:30 PM, Monday-Friday) and some weekend coverage
- Ability to follow safety, biosafety, and animal care policies and maintain computerized animal management records
What We Do
LSU is the flagship institution of Louisiana and is one of only 30 universities nationwide holding land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant status. Since 1860, LSU has served its region, the nation, and the world through extensive, multipurpose programs encompassing instruction, research, and public service. The university brings in more than $150 million annually in outside research grants and contracts, a significant factor for the Louisiana economy
