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Entry Level Animal Science Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Scientist

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

... animal welfare. ABOUT THE ROLE We are looking for a collaborative, detail-oriented scientist to ... This is an entry-level PhD position. It is a great fit for a scientist who has completed a ...

Entry Level Animal Science information

What is an entry level animal science?

An entry-level animal science job typically involves working with animals in research, agriculture, veterinary support, or animal care settings. These roles may include responsibilities such as feeding, handling, monitoring animal health, collecting data, or assisting with medical procedures. They are often found in farms, laboratories, zoos, or veterinary clinics and provide essential experience for advancing in the field. Employers may require a degree in animal science or related fields, along with hands-on experience through internships or volunteer work.

What types of daily responsibilities can I expect in an entry level animal science position?

As an Entry Level Animal Science professional, your daily tasks may include feeding and monitoring animals, assisting with data collection for research projects, cleaning enclosures, and supporting veterinarians or senior scientists during procedures. You may also maintain records, observe animal behavior, and help ensure compliance with health and welfare standards. Team collaboration is common, especially when working in farm, research, or laboratory settings, where clear communication supports animal well-being and project success. These responsibilities provide valuable hands-on experience and can serve as a strong foundation for career advancement within animal science.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in an entry level animal science position?

To thrive as an Entry Level Animal Science professional, a foundational knowledge of animal biology, physiology, and husbandry, usually gained through a relevant degree or coursework, is essential. Basic proficiency with laboratory equipment, data entry systems, and compliance with safety protocols or animal care certifications may be required depending on the employer. Strong communication, teamwork, and attention to detail help individuals excel when collaborating with veterinarians, researchers, or farm staff. These skills ensure effective care and management of animals, accurate data collection, and a safe, productive work environment.

Are entry level animal science jobs in demand?

Entry level animal science jobs are generally in demand due to ongoing needs in agriculture, research, and conservation sectors. These roles often require basic knowledge of animal care, handling, and sometimes certifications such as CPR or animal handling licenses, making them accessible to recent graduates and those with relevant internships or volunteer experience.

Is entry level animal science a useful degree?

An entry level animal science degree provides foundational knowledge in animal biology, management, and nutrition, which can lead to careers in farming, research, or animal care. The degree often supports entry-level positions that may require hands-on skills, certifications, or internships to enhance employability.

What can you do with just an entry level animal science degree?

An entry level animal science degree prepares individuals for roles such as farm technician, animal caretaker, or research assistant. These positions often involve hands-on work with livestock or laboratory animals and may require basic knowledge of animal health, handling, and record-keeping. Certifications in animal handling or safety can enhance job prospects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Animal Science jobs in California?

The most popular types of Animal Science jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Animal Science jobs in California?

For Entry Level Animal Science jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Animal Science jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Animal Science jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Animal Science jobs?

Cities in California with the most Entry Level Animal Science job openings:

Infographic showing various Entry Level Animal Science job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 20% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution.

$21 - $23/hr

Full-time

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

ABOUT US
The Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is an independent, non-profit biomedical research organization located in Torrance, California. In dozens of laboratories throughout the campus, researchers are working to unravel the mysteries of heart and kidney disease, cardiac complications in newborns, chronic lung disease, skin cancer, sickle cell disease, disorders of the autoimmune system, and much more. Many of these projects are collaborative in nature, involving experts from different areas of specialization. Our discoveries have prevented blindness in newborns, enabled premature infants with fragile lungs to breathe and allowed children with rare, often fatal diseases to grow up healthy and strong.
Basic Responsibilities
  • Perform animal husbandry (clean, feed, sanitation, enrichment, etc.) on a regular basis.
  • Operate, maintain, and perform equipment tasks (e.g. cage washers, autoclave, cage movement, etc.) on a regular basis.
  • Observe and report any aberrations in animal room environments (room temperature, humidity, lighting, ventilation, vermin, etc.).
  • Perform general facility cleaning, stocking, and inventory.
  • Prepare rooms, sanitize, and repair as needed.
  • Receive, and distribute animals for isolation, study assignment or consolidation.
  • Perform animal identification tasks (tattoo, sex, ear tag, etc.).
  • Comply with the appropriate safety and study requirements as described in the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and governmental regulations.
  • Comply with appropriate safety and health practices including personal protective equipment and barrier requirements, as applicable.
  • Recognize animal behavior, health status and report to appropriate channels.
  • Attend training programs to become more knowledgeable of and develop expertise in laboratory animal science.
Essential Job Functions
  • Provide daily animal care (cleaning, feeding, and watering of animals), animal facility cleaning and sanitation, documentation of appropriate environmental conditions, and daily animal health and welfare observations to ensure that all of the animals within the department of animal resources care procedures are performed according to regulations and guidelines.
  • Review, comprehend and comply with all SOPs and quality assurance standards pertaining to laboratory animals for research.
  • Monitor daily animal health and welfare while performing daily animal health observations.
  • Perform animal husbandry duties to maintain quality and health of research animals, to include perform daily water bottle /automatic water line and cage checks; provide appropriate food and water; perform cage changing and/or cage cleaning as required; record animal health concerns per SOP and/or specified protocols.
  • Perform general housekeeping and adhere to safety procedures.
  • Required to work on scheduled weekends and holidays.
  • Strict attention to detail and follow-up skills are essential.
  • Strong verbal and written communications skills are required.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to perform in a team environment.
  • Responsible for the accuracy of any assigned task.
  • Responsible for all aspects of training associated with their level of certification.
  • Errors in care, handling, manipulation and treatment of lab animals can result in injury, unnecessary suffering of laboratory animals.
  • Experiments can be affected resulting in loss of data and time resulting in the loss of thousands of research dollars.
Contacts and Working Relationships Required on the Job
Interfaces with Lundquist principal investigators and their technical staff, supervisors, employees, colleagues, vendors, and Harbor-UCLA hospital-based employees.
Qualification Guidelines
  • High school diploma, GED or equivalent
  • This is an entry level position and previous animal experience would be beneficial.
  • Basic computer and math skills.
  • Ability to effectively comprehend and communicate (verbal and written) in a professional manner.
  • An aptitude to follow company policies (tobacco, drug and alcohol-free site), standard operating procedures, and maintain regulatory compliance is important.
  • This is a physical position in a warm environment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to work with animals.
  • Ability to work as a member of a team.
  • Ability to interact in an appropriate and professional manner with others.
Physical and/or Mental Requirements
  • The employee will bend, reach, and push and pull while working with the animals.
  • Ability to lift 50 lbs.
  • Ability to multi-task and maintain organization in a fast paced, changing environment.
  • Positive attitude toward work and co-workers.
  • Be a part of a team that likes to work hard and have fun.
  • All schedules include weekends, holidays and occasional overtime.

Please ensure your application is complete and signed; incomplete submissions will not be considered.
Position requires a background check and health clearance
Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action/Drug-Free Workplace