Animal Welfare Officer (AWO)

Vice Rectorate Research and Innovation, Animal Welfare Office
Employment with immediate effect or by arrangement
The University of Bern educates over 19'640 students and employs more than 7'800 people spread across 150 institutes and 10 competence centers, located in over 90 different places. The University has an Animal Welfare Office, which operates under the Vice Rectorate Research and Innovation. This office is responsible for ensuring the quality of animal research and animal welfare within the University.

The Animal Welfare Office is looking for an experienced Animal Welfare Officer to join its team of AWOs and 3Rs deputy coordinator. The role of the AWO, among others, is to help researchers in planning and conducting animal experimentation, to organize education courses for study directors, experimenters and animal caretakers, and to assist the University management in communication about animal experimentation and animal welfare. The AWO is also the contact point for the cantonal authorities and is involved as a representative of the University of Bern in national and international expert committees.

The AWO deals with ethical and scientific questions concerning animal experimentation and animal protection and promotes in close collaboration with the 3Rs coordinator and deputy and the Experimental Animal Center (EAC) the development and implementation of 3Rs-based protocols.

• supporting researchers, animal care staff and University management in the areas of animal husbandry, animal experimentation and animal welfare.
• advising researchers on the preparation of animal applications for experimentation.
• reviewing animal experimentation applications for completeness and information for the evaluation of the indispensable extent (according to Art. 129a of the Ordinance on Animal Welfare).
• controlling experimental animal husbandries and animal experiments to check animal welfare, experimental procedures, compliance with legal or approved regulations and internal guidelines.
• participating in the education and training of researchers and animal care staff.

• University degree with doctorate in a veterinary medicine, medical or scientific field.
• At least 3-5 years of relevant professional or research experience; preferably in the field of laboratory animal science.
• Strong knowledge in anesthesia/analgesia and surgery are a plus.
• Excellent knowledge in the Swiss animal protection legislation. Excellent communication skills, diplomatic skills.
• Good knowledge of English, German and/ or French (written and spoken). Good computer skills with the usual Office applications.
• You are ready to keep and promote animal welfare and the quality of animal research with the colleagues of the Animal Welfare Office, the Experimental Animal Center, the researchers, those responsible for keeping and caring for laboratory animals and the university management.

• an interesting position in the field of biomedical and veterinary research.
• Space to design and to bring in own ideas.
• an attractive employment and working conditions.

Please send your application with the usual documents (letter, CV, references) electronically in one PDF-File to the following e-mail address: E-Mail schreiben

The first interviews will take place the 5th of November and the 7th of November 2024.