Animal Care
Research and clinical specialization (m/f/d)
Job description
The Department of Biology/Chemistry provides vocational training in the field of behavioral biology in order for the trainees to become animal caretakers, specializing in research and clinical work.
The research focus of the department is on the development and characterization of clinically relevant animal models of innate emotionality and stress reactivity. As part of our international team, the animal keeper takes care of the animals' welfare before, during and after the experimental studies in addition to keeping and caring for them. Another important part of the animal care tasks is the organization and breeding of our worldwide unique mouse lines for our research.
What does an animal care attendant do in the research and clinic area?
The duties of an animal care attendant in the field of research and/or clinical animal care include learning all the tasks involved in modern laboratory animal husbandry, which include:
- Looking after, caring for and breeding laboratory animals (especially mice/small rodents)
- Implementation/compliance with necessary hygiene, cleaning and disinfection measures
- Documentation and evaluation of animal populations
- Supporting activities in experimental research
Impression of the Vocational training as animal care attendant (in German)
How is the vocational training structured?
The apprenticeship lasts three years. Vocational training lessons take place once a week at the Justus-von-Liebig School in Hanover.
The practical part of the apprenticeship will be learned at Osnabrück University and in various internships in order to gain as many different insights as possible into the keeping and care of different types of laboratory animals. The topics covered during training include the systematics, anatomy, physiology and behavior of animals, as well as application methods and minor interventions.
What requirements do I need to fulfill?
The requirements are a good secondary school leaving certificate or A-levels/Abitur. You should also have a keen interest in natural sciences and be willing to carry out activities regarding animal testing. Furthermore, physical resilience, personal commitment and skillful handling of animals are necessary. Knowledge of English is desirable.
What further training opportunities are there?
Various further training opportunities and internships are offered. Training as an animal care attendant can also often be helpful as an introduction to a potential course of study, e.g. in veterinary medicine or other fields.
