During your training as an animal keeper specialising in research and clinic, you will learn how to

• the species-appropriate keeping and care of animals kept for research purposes
• the cleaning of animal accommodation and rooms on the basis of hygiene management
• knowledge of the behaviour, systematics, anatomy and physiology of the individual animal groups
• Breeding and rearing the animals
• Assisting with treatments and minor procedures
• the organisation of animal transport
• Data recording with computer software

The apprenticeship lasts three years. Vocational school lessons take place once a week at the Justus-von-Liebig-Schule in Hanover.

During the course of the apprenticeship, trainees work in three departments (rodent husbandry, bird husbandry, highly sterile area). In addition, various external internships lasting several weeks (e.g. with a veterinarian) are completed in the second year of training in order to work with other animal species not kept at the University of Oldenburg.

The formal requirement for training as an animal keeper specialising in research and clinic is a good secondary school leaving certificate. You should be willing to work responsibly with animals, love animals and be conscientious and reliable in your academic appointment. You should also be willing to acquire extensive theoretical knowledge in your specialism.

The head of training is currently animal keeper Klaus Hübel. Other animal keepers are also involved in the practical training, as our apprentices pass through various departments.

If the academic appointment of an animal keeper has piqued your interest, here are some addresses for further research.

The IGTP is an association of animal keepers working in research, from which further training is organised and current job vacancies are published.

Further information can be found on the website of the employment agency on the academic appointment of animal caretakers.