Animal Technician
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Department
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory
- Location
- Salisbury
- Openings
- 2 posts
- Grade
- EO
- Salary
- £26,640 to £29,554
- Closing
- 35 days left
- Profession
- Science
- Contract
- Permanent
- Security clearance
- SC
- Working pattern
- Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time
Job summary
Dstl is looking for dedicated Animal Technicians to support research that underpins the UK’s defence against chemical and biological threats. This is your chance to play a hands‑on role in nationally important science, contributing directly to policies and decisions that protect the country.
You’ll work in a specialist environment where high standards of animal welfare, scientific integrity, and regulatory compliance are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you’re experienced or looking to grow, you’ll receive structured training, professional development, and support to gain recognised qualifications, including IAT Levels 2–3 and Home Office licensing.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
What they’re looking for
- What you’ll bring
- Experience working with animals in a professional, research, or care setting
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Clear communication and a collaborative mindset
- Reliability, flexibility, and a proactive approach
- Willingness to develop knowledge of ASPA and regulated environments
- This is a rare opportunity to build a meaningful career where your work has real‑world impact. If you’re motivated, curious, and committed to excellent animal care, we’d love to hear from you.
- Please see full job profile attached at the bottom of this page.
- Important Information
- Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
- This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Behaviours you’ll be assessed on
This advert says the panel will score you against these behaviours at EO level. Each one links to worked examples.
Job description
What you’ll do
- Deliver animal care to the highest welfare standards, with accurate monitoring and reporting
- Support research across in vivo and in vitro programmes
- Train and develop through competency assessments and formal qualifications
- Work with specialists including NACWOs, NVS, researchers, and technical teams
- Maintain compliance with Home Office legislation and internal quality frameworks
- Participate in rota including out‑of‑hours and on‑call duties (with additional payment)
Qualifications
Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Double Science, Maths, and English.
Willingness to undertake training and development, including:
o Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) (if not already held)
o Relevant technical and professional qualifications
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Selection process
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 19th October 2026 with interviews to be arranged from the 2nd November 2026
Your interview will consist of behavioural & technical interview along with a tour of the animal facility, Interview will be held in person at Dstl Porton Down
- Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of a full physical and psychological assessment.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Practise before you apply
Civil Service panels score every answer against the Success Profiles behaviours at EO level. Practise STAR answers and get them marked against the same framework.
3 free questions · No card needed
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