Animal Technician

Dstl; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Skill-set allowance £1,000–£4,500 p.a.

Job summary

Dstl is seeking dedicated Animal Technicians to support vital defence research ensuring high welfare standards and strict regulatory compliance. The role offers structured training, development toward recognised qualifications, and Home Office licensing.

It may include a 3‑month‑delayed skill-set allowance (£1,000–£4,500 p.a.) and on-call duties with additional pay. You’ll work in a controlled environment with NACWOs, NVS, researchers and technical teams, contributing to policies and decisions

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Deliver animal care to high 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 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).

Skills

Animal care

Organisation

Communication

Reliability

Proactive attitude

Education

GCSEs incl. Double Science, Maths, English

Job description

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.

This role may benefit from our new skill‑set allowance. If you possess a specialist skill‑set required at Dstl, you may benefit from additional monetary allowance in addition to your salary – a handy bonus for your craft! (£1,000-£4,500 per annum). This allowance is payable just 3‑months from joining.

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)

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.

Qualifications

Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including Double Science, Maths, and English.

Willingness to undertake training and development, including:

• Home Office Personal Licence (PIL) (if not already held)
• Relevant technical and professional qualifications

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.