--- title: 'Avian Colony Manager at Colossal Biosciences' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/avian-colony-manager-colossal-biosciences-dallas-jyc0mxdgcwvb' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-11-08' --- # Avian Colony Manager at Colossal Biosciences - **Company:** Colossal Biosciences - **Location:** Dallas, TX - **Posted:** 2026-11-04 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-11-08 - **Apply:** https://colossal.com/careers/?gh_jid=6249889004 ## Job description Colossal is seeking an Avian Colony Manager who will oversee the breeding, health, and tracking of research bird populations (such as poultry, finches, or pigeons) within an avian laboratory animal facility. They will support scientific efforts by providing researchers with healthy, well-documented birds and reliable colony data. This position reports to our Head of Animal Husbandry. This position is based out of the Dallas, TX area and relocation assistance is available. ## Key Responsibilities Avian Colony Oversight: Manage specialized avian breeding schemes, track egg incubation, coordinate hatching schedules, and handle wing or leg band identification. Plan and schedule facility capacity and lead the setup, organization, redesign, and expansion of animal rooms and workflows. Track pedigrees and manage animal assignments to breeding groups, studies, and research projects. Health & Welfare: Monitor birds for avian-specific health issues, coordinate veterinary care, and ensure precise environmental parameters like specialized lighting and humidity. Work closely with the veterinary team to support colony health monitoring, treatment, and preventive care. Data & Software Management: Maintain electronic records of lineage, egg production, and hatchability rates using specialized colony software. Develop, implement, and optimize online tracking systems, connecting operations in the animal facility to the lab, and uphold detailed electronic records. Regulatory Compliance: Adhere to standards set by the USDA, NIH, and AAALAC, ensuring strict alignment with avian-specific institutional IACUC protocols. Equipment and logistics: Incubator and environmental monitoring/calibration, alarm response, ordering feed and bands, shipping/receiving of birds and eggs, and permits. Researcher Support: Collaborate with research teams to assist with specialized avian procedures, sample collections, and study logistics. Assist researchers with genotyping and with breeding to produce the birds their studies require. Aviculture: Work directly alongside the animal care team as needed, including animal handling, egg collection, room setup, cleaning, husbandry support, and operational coverage. ## Qualifications & Skills Education: - A Bachelor’s degree in Avian Sciences, Animal Science, Biology, or a related field is highly preferred for managing complex avian research lines. Certifications: - AALAS certification (LAT or LATg) is standard, along with specific training or certification in avian handling and medicine. Experience: - Hands-on experience in laboratory animal care, with a strong emphasis on avian husbandry, incubation, and biosecurity protocols. - Effective communicator and mentor engaging personnel across a range of roles. - Hands-on experience working in animal operations, laboratory animal facilities, poultry facilities, breeding colonies, research farms, or a comparable regulated animal-care environment. - Demonstrated ability to own complex daily operations, including scheduling, recordkeeping, facility organization, staff training, and coordination across multiple workstreams. - Strong working knowledge of animal husbandry, animal handling, welfare monitoring, sanitation, biosecurity and testing, and facility operations. Experience building or improving electronic operational systems, schedules, and tracking tools. - Comfort working in a small, fast-moving organization where leaders are expected to remain hands-on and assist with routine operational work when needed. What Colossal Offers Full-Time Employees: - Medical, dental, and vision coverage - Excellent paid time off and company holidays so you can rest and recharge - Flexible spending accounts (FSA) - Company matched 401k retirement plan - Paid parental leave at 100% salary for up to 12 weeks - Education reimbursement - An opportunity to help us return the Earth to a healthier state The team at Colossal is committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative, experienced, scientific and world-class. That sounds like a lot to fit into one building. That’s why we are spread out in several locations that include laboratories, test facilities, academic institutions, libraries and offices. Through it all, however, we maintain a culture of positivity, hope, happiness and belief that we’re doing something big. Something Colossal. Colossal is proud to be an equal employment opportunity workplace. We welcome people from all backgrounds as well as celebrate and support diversity. We are committed to providing an inclusive environment of mutual respect that is free from discrimination and harassment so everyone can thrive. [EEO is the Law](https://www.eeoc.gov/after-june-27-2023-know-your-rights-workplace-discrimination-illegal) Search Firm Representatives: Colossal does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms. No fees will be paid for a hired candidate where no pre-existing agreement is in place. We handle most recruitment in-house. Colossal is on LinkedIn's 2026 Top Startups in Dallas List! See the list [here.](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-top-startups-2026-10-companies-rise-dallas-linkedin-news-hmeif/?trackingId=5LNMrCECIKfydCVNT3xTAA%3D%3D) Colossal is on Fortune's 2026 List for Best Workplaces in BioPharma. See the list [here](https://www.greatplacetowork.com/best-workplaces/biopharma/2026?category=small-and-medium). Colossal is proud to be named a Best Place to Work by BuiltIn for 4 years in a row across multiple categories in 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026: - #1 on the 50 Best Startups to Work For in Dallas in 2023! - 100 Best Midsize Places to Work in Dallas in 2024 & 2025 - 100 Best Places to Work in Dallas, TX (All Size Employers) in 2024, 2025, and 2026. [Built In 2026 Award Lists](https://builtin.com/awards/dallas/2026/best-places-to-work) [Great Place to Work Certification Page](https://www.greatplacetowork.com/certified-company/7049203) [Most Loved Workplace Certification Page](https://mostlovedworkplace.com/companies/colossal-biosciences/) - Proud to be certified as a most loved workplace including: most loved CEO, most loved workplaces for LGBTQ+, most loved workplaces for women, and most loved workplaces for young professionals. [Newsweek's Most Loved Workplaces 2024 Award List](https://www.newsweek.com/rankings/most-loved-workplaces-2024?utm_campaign=dr_2024_oct_webinar_final&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-8dglCEGpx_mr-HYudRKFhj4L6PhGDkf92pJJMpxovuNaX_Y7rdOFsgX6dEGZnNK9O_RP1gd54PPR7yib9CZjvG7FT4IA&_hsmi=328042950&utm_content=see_list&utm_source=newlsetter) - Excited to be amongst the winners of Newsweek's 2024 Most Loved Workplaces! ## About Colossal Biosciences ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Colossal Biosciences is a breakthrough bioscience and genetic engineering company using CRISPR and advanced genomics to de-extinct lost species and protect critically endangered ecosystems. - **Entity Type**: Private (Series C‑II; total raised $567.72M) - **Headquarters**: Austin, Texas, United States (also with locations in Dallas) - **Founded**: 2021 - **Founders**: Ben Lamm (CEO) and George Church, Ph.D. (co‑founder and lead genetics advisor) ## Core Business - **Primary industry**: Biotechnology / Genetic Engineering / De‑extinction - **Target customers**: B2B and B2G – research institutions, conservation organizations, government and regulatory bodies, and future commercial partners for genomics tools - **Mission**: “Accept humanity’s duty to restore Earth to a healthier state, while solving for the future economies and biological necessities of the human condition through cutting‑edge science and technologies.” ## Products & Services - **De‑Extinction Programs**: The company’s flagship effort is resurrecting the Woolly Mammoth, with additional programs for the Thylacine and other lost megafauna. Combines ancient DNA analysis, CRISPR‑based gene editing, and artificial womb technology. - **Genetic Rescue Technology**: Tools and techniques developed for resurrecting extinct species are applied to protect critically endangered species and repopulate healthy ecosystems. - **Colossal Foundation**: An extension that expands genetic rescue and de‑extinction programs across six continents, focusing on community engagement and global biodiversity. - **Software & Bioinformatics**: Custom software and bioinformatics platforms to support genome‑scale editing and data analysis (evidenced by patents and the Director of Bioinformatics role). - **Artificial Womb Technology**: A dedicated VP and R&D effort to create ex‑situ gestation systems, enabling species restoration independent of surrogate mothers. ## Market Standing - **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not disclosed - **Key Metric**: Total disclosed funding – **$567.72M** (as of Series C‑II) - **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not explicitly listed in the provided data, but the company is recognized by the World Economic Forum and has received awards from Edison Awards, BioTech Breakthrough Awards, and others. - **Growth Signals**: - Headcount grew from ~5 to **251 employees** in one year (+4,780% yearly growth) - **5 patents** filed (multi‑genome editor constructs, biotechnology, developmental biology) - Named **America’s Best Startup Employer (2024)** and **Most Loved Workplace Certified** - New roles posted frequently (Research Associate, Scientist, Clinical Veterinarian, etc.) ## Competitive Advantages - **First‑mover in de‑extinction**: The only company committed to using CRISPR to resurrect extinct species, with a scientific advisory board including pioneers like George Church and Prof. Beth Shapiro (Chief Science Officer). - **Integrated technology stack**: From ancient DNA extraction to multi‑genome editors and artificial wombs – a full pipeline no other organization has assembled. - **Ethical & regulatory framework**: A dedicated Head of Bioethics (Alta Charo) and Regulatory Affairs Lead (Aurelia Skipwith), ensuring responsible science and community engagement. - **Talent density**: Attracts world‑class scientists from Harvard, MIT, UC Santa Cruz, and industry, creating a unique interdisciplinary culture. ## Strategic Focus - **De‑extinction milestones**: Deliver the first Woolly Mammoth calves via artificial womb technology, then expand to other species. - **Technology spin‑outs**: Commercialize the CRISPR tools, bioinformatics platforms, and artificial womb innovations for broader human health and conservation applications. - **Global conservation impact**: The Colossal Foundation aims to restore genetic diversity and ecosystem health across six continents. - **Regulatory & public trust**: Build transparent, community‑engaged processes to ensure societal acceptance and ethical governance. ## Why Work Here - **Culture**: Described as “committed, colorful, passionate, intelligent, collaborative, creative” – a workplace driven by “positivity, hope, happiness and belief.” - **Values**: Thoughtful Innovation, Excellence & Integrity, Responsible Science, Equity & Sustainability, Inclusiveness. - **Recognition**: Certified **Most Loved Workplace**; named **America’s Best Startup Employer (2024)**. - **Locations**: Main HQ in Austin, TX, with labs and offices in Dallas and other locations; hybrid/office policy not specified but likely science‑lab‑based. - **For job seekers**: Opportunity to work on “prehistory in real time” – cutting‑edge genetic engineering, artificial wombs, and bioinformatics. Open roles in genome engineering, developmental biology, construction project management, and veterinary medicine. ## Sources 1. [colossal.com – About Colossal](https://colossal.com/company/) 2. [colossal.com – Careers](https://colossal.com/careers/) 3. [colossal.com – Leadership](https://colossal.com/company/#leadership) 4. [cbinsights.com – Colossal Biosciences](https://www.cbinsights.com/company/colossal) 5. [linkedin.com – Colossal Biosciences](https://www.linkedin.com/company/colossal) ## Other roles at Colossal Biosciences - [Scientist, Stem Cell Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-stem-cell-engineering-colossal-biosciences-dallas-ecxg36q8tt4d) — Dallas, TX - [Scientist, Avian Cell Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-avian-cell-engineering-colossal-biosciences-dallas-zfq79mhq2wfz) — Dallas, TX - [Research Associate/Senior Research Associate, Avian Cell Engineering](https://feeny.ai/job/research-associate-senior-research-associate-avian-cell-engineering-colossal-tz1e3dvdpjv1) — Dallas, TX - [Scientist, Embryology/Theriogenologist](https://feeny.ai/job/scientist-embryology-theriogenologist-colossal-biosciences-dallas-w3v2efa5wb5w) — Dallas, TX - [Animal Husbandry Specialist II, Aviculture](https://feeny.ai/job/animal-husbandry-specialist-ii-aviculture-colossal-biosciences-dallas-9appt8119kg9) — Dallas, TX - [Animal Husbandry Specialist, Herpetology & Fish](https://feeny.ai/job/animal-husbandry-specialist-herpetology-fish-colossal-biosciences-dallas-dj962qh9kdsc) — Dallas, TX - [Summer 2027 Internships - General Interest Posting](https://feeny.ai/job/summer-2027-internships-general-interest-posting-colossal-biosciences-dallas-hzqg58k5qd3e) — Dallas, TX - [General Interest - Join our Colossal Community](https://feeny.ai/job/general-interest-join-our-colossal-community-colossal-biosciences-dallas-qan302gshcgz) — Dallas, TX