Animal research careers provide scientists with a great deal of vital and useful information concerning diseases and genetics. This information is used to develop better ways of diagnosing and treating a number of ailments and conditions. Researchers who conduct experiments and testing with animal subjects are also able to test new medical treatments and procedures for safety and effectiveness.
Researching jobs involving animals is an extremely controversial area of science that has been forcefully and physically attacked by many individuals. This animal research has also come under enormous criticism from animal rights activists, and others, who charge that the activity of any type of research or testing constitutes cruelty to animals.
The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, a highly prominent, national organization, contends that while researchers are looking for ways to reduce the number of animals used in research, it is still the most viable means of finding innovative and life-saving medications and procedures for both people and other animals.
Even with all of the computers, advanced software programs and innovative technology, there is nothing that can be substituted for how something works on living cells and tissues.
There is a pressing urgency to use animal research to advance health care for everyone and this will require some subjects that come from the animal world. While more laws have been enacted in hopes of keeping the research and studies as humane as possible, animals will presently continue to play a role in biomedical research.
The AALAS association says that they are devoted to providing and ensuring the best possible care and treatment for all of the animals in research facilities. Not only is this the right and moral thing to do, it will also result in increased validity of the experiments conducted.
It should be noted that there are large companies today who have moved a large amount of animal research activities away from the animals and into simulated computer testing.
Jobs for research involving animals and animal care are many and varied. Job applicants who have only a high school diploma, a 2-year associate degree, can find them or by those individuals who have postgraduate work listed on their resumes.
There are many positions, with different duties, that are available. These jobs include animal behaviorists, animal health technicians, animal facility supervisors, and veterinary technicians. Animal behaviorists are those who study animals and collect data on their actions and behavior. A two- or four-year college degree is necessary for an entry-level career in this particular specialty.
Animal care technicians are people who are responsible for providing food and water, clean housing, and care for laboratory animals. Animal care techs will also be required to monitor the health of all of the animals on a daily basis. There are also times when they must provide certain animal care on their own or assist with some procedures, as directed by a veterinarian. Some of these duties may require giving the research animals some medications, collecting body fluid samples, cutting hair, or nails, cleaning ears or applying sterile dressings.
To qualify for this type of position requires at least a high school diploma and may require additional certification, depending on the scope of responsibility in the specific job. There are community colleges and a number of online schools that will let you earn a certificate or diploma as a fully qualified animal technician.
Animal facility supervisors have the duty of overseeing the animal facility setting and are responsible for ensuring that all applicable safety and health regulations are followed. To qualify for one of these openings you would need to have at least a two-year college degree, which is generally required for employment as a facility supervisor.
Veterinary technicians are in great demand and these positions are available with both full and part time hours. These individuals actually assist veterinarians with animal health care. If you have a deep love for animals and want to be involved in their care and treatment, then this might be the job for you. The veterinary profession is a thriving and expanding business and many people are being hired to work as qualified vet techs in private veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and even zoos.
These individuals can also expect to find many opportunities available in research facilities. A two- or four-year college degree and some degree of certification are usually required for employment as a veterinary technician. You can find these courses available through online schools and also in your community colleges.
Although some of these jobs require only a minimum of a high school diploma, others require a two- or four-year college degree. For almost any position in the animal research or animal care field, you will need to have experience or some type of certification to prove that you have a basic knowledge of what the duties are.
Regardless of the level of your education, it is important that all applicants for the professional, animal research careers have a strong foundation in the physical and life sciences, as well as in mathematics. These will prepare for you almost any career in animal biomedical research.
Job applicants will find that biomedical research professionals work in a variety of settings, including research corporations, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical corporations, colleges and universities, medical schools, hospitals, and veterinary schools. Jobs in researching involving animals, and also in other fields, can be found today with online job posting boards like ResearchingCrossing.
