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Animal Technician

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Animal Technician

Animal Technician Career Details

Animal technologists are responsible for the care, husbandry and welfare of animals being bred for, or used in, bio-medical research. New entrants are mainly concerned with the physical care of the animals - particularly mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and hamsters. They carry out routine tasks like cleaning the cages, monitoring the animals’ health, providing food and water, handling and moving animals safely, and keeping records.

More experienced technologists may be involved in experimental studies and scientific procedures, which requires an understanding of the physical, behavioural and environmental needs of individual species, and the ability to predict and interpret their responses. Technologists may be involved in selecting animals for experiments, and developing and carrying out dosing, assessment and sampling techniques.

The work is highly scientific and uses a variety of computer packages for record keeping. Compliance with current laws governing animal research is essential.

Working Environment

Animals need care 24 hours a day, all year round, therefore the work could involve weekends, bank holidays, and possibly shifts and occasional nights (normally on a rota). A 37-hour week is normal, and there is the possibility of working part-time after gaining experience.

Most animal technologists work indoors, in purpose-built animal facilities, but there will be some outdoor work with larger species such as farm animals. Depending on the task being carried out, protective clothing and shoes, a face mask, and a hat or hair covering may be worn.

Animal Technician Related Skills

To be an animal technologist you need:
  • commitment to the care and welfare of animals
  • a responsible attitude to issues of confidentiality
  • good mathematical skills
  • to pay close attention to detail and keep accurate records
  • physical fitness, stamina and good health
  • manual dexterity
  • good computer skills
  • willingness to work as part of a team.

Animal Technician Career Opportunities

The numbers of animal technologists has decreased in the past few years, partly because research work has been transferred to other countries. However, because the government has recently acted to support the research industry in the UK, the decline in the number of technicians is expected to slow and may even reverse.

Typical employers include:

  • universities
  • hospitals
  • pharmaceutical companies
  • laboratory animal breeders
  • specialist research companies.
There are opportunities for animal technology work in most major cities in the UK, but the greatest number of jobs is to be found in south-east England, where there is a shortage of suitable applicants. Opportunities for work overseas are good.

There may be prospects of promotion to supervisory and higher grades for technicians with relevant experience and appropriate qualifications.

Further Career Information

If you would like to know more about a career as an Animal Technician related facts, statistics, articles and websites.

Career Steps

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Career Courses

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