Trainee Animal Technician

Job Title

Trainee Animal Technician

Job Description

An excellent opportunity is available for a Trainee Animal Technician to join the Bioservices department at Australia’s pre-eminent biomedical research institute.

About The Position

The Trainee Animal Technician will undertake duties associated with the care, husbandry and maintenance of laboratory animals (mice) in the facility. Routine tasks include observation, husbandry, breeding, cage cleaning, equipment and room cleaning, sterilisation procedures, record keeping and meeting researcher/client requirements.

Key Challenges Include:

• Ensuring breeding programs are established and maintained
• Meeting researcher/client needs for animals
• Ensuring deadlines and schedules are met

Key Responsibilities

Animal Husbandry:

• Clean Animal Cages

• Provide food and water
• Observe health of animals
• Wean and sex animals
• Identify and record births

• Identify Pregnant Animals

• Euthanise Animals

Breeding Programs:

• Mate animals according to workplace procedure and direction of supervisors
• Adjust breeding programs to suit demand for animals

• Identify Poor Breeders

Client Services:

• Advise office/researchers as to animal availability, health and welfare.
• Allocate animals to orders and issue the orders via office ​
• Prepare animals for transport in accordance with SOPs.
• Process any required documentation regarding transportation of animals as required.
• Ensure that researchers are kept up-to-date and fully informed regarding their animals.

Record Keeping:

• Use animal management systems to record animals as required.

• Weekly Cage/Animal Count.

Cleaning:

• Cleaning of equipment and rooms.
• Dust, scrub and mop room weekly.
• Aid in cleaning and sterilising equipment when needed.

Regulatory:

• Record Keeping.

• Maintain knowledge of and ensure compliance with all relevant regulatory instruments, e.g. POCTA, OGTR, OHS, etc.

Selection Criteriaessential Knowledge And Skills:

• Completion of Secondary School
• Undertaking or completion of the Diploma of Animal Technology (or equivalent)
• Must be physically fit
• Availability to work weekends/public holiday rosters.

Desirable Knowledge And Skills:

• Prior experience with animals is desirable but not essential.

Personal Qualities:

• Conscientious

• Good Observation Skills

• Attention To Detail

• Flexible

• Cooperative

• Enthusiastic

• Good Communication Skills

Terms of Appointment
This position is an ongoing role in a full time capacity. Salary is Professional Services Employee Level T3.1 $55, 774. Up to 17% superannuation and very attractive salary packaging options are available.

General enquiries can be directed to Julie Merryfull - merryfull@wehi.edu.au

A position description is available here.

• How to Apply
• Please apply by uploading your CV, cover letter and a document addressing the key selection criteria in pdf format.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 19th October 2025