Weekend Laboratory Animal Caretaker

About this position

The research conducted by the CBRN Protection department helps protect military personnel, emergency responders and civilians against hazardous chemical and biological substances. To ensure this research is carried out safely and responsibly, excellent care of our laboratory animals is essential.

Are you a caring and detail-oriented animal caretaker looking for a role that can be combined with your studies or other activities? Then this weekend position may be the perfect fit for you. You will contribute to groundbreaking research with societal impact by caring for rodents involved in research projects.

What will be your role?

As a Weekend Laboratory Animal Caretaker, you will be responsible for the daily care of laboratory animals (rodents) during ongoing experiments. You will ensure that the animals are housed in optimal conditions and closely monitor their wellbeing. This position involves 4 to 6 hours per week, divided across both Saturday and Sunday. An extension of the position by 4 hours per week, during several weeks of the year on weekdays, can be discussed if desired.

Your responsibilities include:

• Providing food and drinking water.
• Cleaning and maintaining animal enclosures.
• Conducting welfare checks and reporting any abnormalities.
• Administering medication according to protocol when required.

About the department

You will join the CBRN Protection department, where we conduct research into the toxicology of chemical substances and the effectiveness of potential new medical countermeasures. The department works with a wide range of clients and partners. Our primary customer is the Dutch Ministry of Defence, but we also carry out projects for and in collaboration with other government organisations, European consortia and industrial partners.

We have access to advanced and highly specialised facilities, including a HighTOX laboratory, an organic synthesis laboratory, BSL-2 and BSL-3 laboratories, animal research facilities, a (bio)aerosol test chamber and a state-of-the-art mass spectrometry facility.

The department consists of approximately 50 professionals, including scientists, researchers, project managers, consultants and managers with diverse backgrounds and levels of experience. In recent years, the team has become younger through natural turnover and today forms a close-knit, dynamic and diverse group in which organic chemists, microbiologists, molecular biologists, analytical chemists, pharmacologists, toxicologists and aerosol physicists work closely together.

Read more about the CBRN Protection department here.

What we expect from you

You work accurately and carefully, with a strong focus on animal welfare. Integrity and responsibility are important to you, especially in a research environment where quality and reliability are essential. You are able to work independently and take initiative when needed. In addition, you are flexible, punctual and consistently put the wellbeing of the animals first.

As this is a weekend position of 4 to 6 hours per week, spread across both Saturday and Sunday, you are structurally available to work during weekends.

You als bring:

• A recognised qualification in Animal Care (at least MBO level 3 or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience and competence in handling laboratory animals and performing animal-related procedures.
• A Laboratory Animal Science certificate (Article 13f.2, formerly Article 12) is required.
• A careful and professional working style with a strong focus on quality and animal welfare.

What you'll get in return

Challenging and varied work with a real impact. And plenty of opportunities as, at TNO, you are in charge of shaping your career. We offer a gross monthly salary between € 2,865 and € 4,093 (based on your knowledge and experience), 8% holiday pay, a 13th month bonus of 8.33% and a flex budget (5.58% + € 180). In addition, you will be given every opportunity to develop yourself.

TNO offers optional employee benefits, enabling you to tailor your benefits package to match your personal situation. You may also expect:

• An extremely professional, innovative working environment where colleagues are leading experts in their field.
• The opportunity to attend courses, workshops and conferences, and to receive training and coaching based on your needs.
• 33 days annual leave plus a flexible holiday that can be used on a cultural, religious, or otherwise important day of your choosing (on a full-time basis).
• An employer working towards a respectful, inclusive, and equitable work environment where every employee can flourish, with various initiatives such as Jong TNO, numerous expertise based guilds, Rainbow Community and Round Tables on diverse inclusion topics.
• We offer a comprehensive and flexible mobility plan that also includes full compensation for public transportation for commuting and business travel.
• Great social events with your team and other TNO colleagues. That’s how you will get to know a lot of people really quickly.
• Flexible working hours, the possibility to work parttime (32 or 36 hours) and the possibility of working from home.
• A good pension scheme.

Read more about tailoring your benefits package.

TNO as an employer

Our people are at the heart of TNO. Their curiosity, expertise and entrepreneurial mindset make it possible to deliver high-impact research and innovations that contribute to society’s sustainable wellbeing and prosperity. That is why we invest in an inspiring and inclusive working environment where colleagues can excel, have autonomy and continue to grow.

Your talent and ambition have every opportunity to flourish at TNO. You work with experts (both within and beyond TNO), have access to advanced technology and the freedom to explore, experiment and innovate. Our strength lies in independence, reliability and collaboration. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. By working with businesses and government, and by connecting different perspectives, we strengthen our innovative capability and create responsible, meaningful results.

At TNO, we believe this is our time to help society, government and business move forward faster. Together with driven colleagues, you turn knowledge into concrete innovations or ventures that truly make a difference by combining the power of science and entrepreneurship. And in doing so, you make your mark on our time.

The selection process

Please apply before the 11th of September, 2026. The selection process comprises two interview rounds. In a final meeting we will discuss the terms of employment and your tailored benefits package. We aim to finalize the entire process within four weeks.

The selection process may include an online assessment and a reference check.

As you will be working for clients in the domain of defence and security, a Certificate of No Objection issued by AIVD (the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service) is mandatory. This means you will have to undergo a security screening. Read more about security screening (opens in a new window or tab) (refers to a different website) . Has this job opening sparked your interest?

Then we’d like to hear from you! Please contact us for more information about the job or the selection process. To apply, please upload your CV and covering letter using the ‘