The UK's official graduate careers website

Login to My Prospects

Not a member yet? Join now
 
 

Animal technologist : Salary and conditions

More in this section

  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
  6. Employers and vacancy …
  7. Related jobs

Print all pages in this section

Case studies

  • A typical starting salary range for trainee animal technologists is £12,000 - £15,000 per annum. Graduates and diplomates are likely to be appointed towards the higher end of the scale.
  • Trained technologists can earn £15,000 - £20,000 per annum.
  • Senior technologists can earn £20,000 - £30,000 per annum.
  • Further salary increases depend on career progression and management responsibilities, with some facility directors earning over £40,000.
  • Salaries vary according to location, type of employer and nature/level of work undertaken. In London, for example, an extra allowance is paid.
  • Technologists typically work a 37-hour week, which usually includes some early morning and late night work. The job involves some weekend and bank holiday working (usually on a rota basis). Overtime payments may be available for weekend and holiday work.
  • Part-time work is available for experienced and qualified technologists.
  • Most of the work takes place indoors and can involve sterile conditions or hot, humid environments. There is some outdoor work with certain species, such as farm animals.
  • The work can be physically demanding and tiring.
  • Protective clothing is worn and will vary depending on the species of animal and type of study being undertaken. As a minimum, technologists wear a full outfit of clean protective clothing every day.
  • There are opportunities in most parts of the UK, particularly in large cities. More vacancies occur in London and the South East.
  • Animal research is a controversial issue. Although there is considerable support available from colleagues, technologists need to be prepared to deal with adverse comments (and sometimes actions) from members of the public or animal rights groups. Some technologists choose to keep their occupation confidential, which can prove stressful. The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act (2005) affords greater legal protection to those working with animals.
  • A number of external factors, for example new or amended laws and regulations, can potentially affect the numbers of animals used in research, which could, in turn, affect the numbers of people employed as technologists. The number of procedures involving animals has declined in general since 1987, although recently there has been a gradual upward trend largely attributed to an increase in the number of experiments involving genetically modified mice as models of human disease.
  • There are opportunities for qualified technologists to work overseas.
 
AGCAS
Written by Andrea Gregory, AGCAS
Date: 
November 2010
© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer
 
 
 

This website is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets if you are able to do so.