17 Laboratory Animal Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Laboratory animal technicians, also known as lab techs, are responsible for the care and welfare of research animals in a laboratory setting. This includes feeding and watering the animals, cleaning their cages, and monitoring their health. Lab techs also record data on the animals’ weight, food intake, and behavior.

If you’re looking for a lab technician job, you’ll need to be prepared to answer some questions about your experience working with animals. Lab technician interview questions will also ask about your experience with lab equipment and your ability to follow safety procedures.

In this guide, you’ll find a list of common lab technician interview questions and answers. You’ll also learn what to wear to your interview and what to bring with you.

Are you comfortable working with animals?

Interviewers ask this question to determine if you have experience working with animals and how comfortable you are in the lab. They also want to know if you can handle any unique situations that may arise while working with animals, such as an animal getting loose or escaping from their cage. In your answer, share a story about a time when you worked with animals and what challenges you faced. Explain how you overcame these challenges and what skills you used to do so.

Example: “I am very comfortable working with animals. I grew up on a farm where we had many different types of animals, including cows, horses, sheep and chickens. My family raised all of our own food, so I was responsible for feeding and caring for all of these animals. I learned how to work with each type of animal at a young age, which has helped me feel confident in my ability to work with animals in the laboratory.”

What are your favorite species of animals to work with?

This question can help employers determine if you have experience working with the species of animals they use in their research. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention a few reasons why you enjoy working with that animal and what makes them unique.

Example: “I really love working with mice because I find them to be very intelligent creatures. In my last role, we used mice for behavioral studies, so I got to know each mouse’s personality and preferences. Mice are also quite easy to work with as long as you keep their living spaces clean and comfortable. Another favorite species of mine is dogs, which we also worked with at my previous job. Dogs are such loving animals, and I enjoy learning more about how humans can improve their lives through research.”

How would you handle an emergency situation with an animal?

Laboratory animal technicians often work with animals that are sick or injured. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the skills and experience needed to handle emergency situations in a laboratory setting. In your answer, explain how you would respond to an emergency situation with an animal. Explain what steps you would take to ensure the safety of both yourself and the animal.

Example: “In my last role as a laboratory animal technician, I worked with many different types of animals. One day, I was working with a mouse when it suddenly became ill. I immediately put on gloves and protective eyewear before checking on the mouse. The mouse had lost its balance and was having trouble walking. I picked up the mouse and placed it into a small box so I could transport it to another room where we had more supplies.

I then took the mouse back to our veterinarian who determined that the mouse had a brain tumor. We treated the mouse for its illness, but unfortunately, it passed away two weeks later.”

What is your experience with working in a laboratory setting?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience working in a laboratory setting. They want to know if you have any prior experience and how it relates to the position. Use your answer to share what type of work you’ve done in a lab, including any certifications or training you’ve received.

Example: “I worked as a veterinary technician for five years before I applied for this position. During that time, I gained valuable experience working with animals in a clinical setting. I learned how to handle different species of animals and perform basic diagnostic tests on them. I also became certified in animal CPR and first aid.”

Provide an example of how you care for an animal.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your animal care skills. They want to know how you would handle a situation where an animal needs special attention or treatment. In your answer, describe the steps you took to help the animal and what motivated you to do so.

Example: “In my last position as a laboratory animal technician, I cared for a mouse that was having trouble eating. The mouse’s food kept falling out of its mouth when it tried to eat, which made me concerned because mice need to eat regularly. I decided to try feeding the mouse by hand until it could get back on its own. After two days, the mouse started eating on its own again. It recovered quickly after that.”

If an animal was acting abnormally, what would you do?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to recognize abnormal behavior in animals and take appropriate action. In your answer, describe a situation where you noticed an animal was acting abnormally and what steps you took to ensure the animal’s safety.

Example: “If I saw that an animal was acting abnormally, I would first try to determine if there were any environmental factors causing the behavior. If not, I would check for signs of illness or injury. If I didn’t notice anything unusual, I would contact my supervisor so they could help me decide how to proceed. Depending on the severity of the situation, we might need to call our veterinarian or other emergency services.”

What would you do if you were unable to complete an assignment due to a lack of animals available for testing?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Your answer should demonstrate that you can think creatively and prioritize tasks in order to complete them on time.

Example: “If I were unable to complete an assignment due to a lack of animals available for testing, I would first try to find alternative ways to complete the task. For example, if I was supposed to test a drug on mice but there weren’t any available, I could use other small rodents or even primates as substitutes. If no alternatives are available, I would contact my supervisor immediately so they could help me find solutions.”

How well do you follow instructions?

Laboratory animal technicians must follow instructions from their supervisors to ensure the safety of both the animals and the lab workers. Interviewers ask this question to make sure you can work well with others in a team environment. Use your answer to show that you are willing to take direction from your supervisor or manager. Explain that you value teamwork and will do what you’re told as long as it’s safe for everyone involved.

Example: “I am very good at following directions, especially when they come from my supervisor. I understand that my job is to help them keep the laboratory running smoothly. In my last position, I worked under a veterinarian who was training me on how to care for her patients. She gave me clear instructions about what she wanted me to do, and I followed them exactly. I learned a lot during that time and gained confidence in my abilities.”

Do you have any questions for me about the laboratory animal technician position?

Interviewers often ask this question to see if you have done your research on the company and position. They want to know that you are genuinely interested in the job, so it’s important to come prepared with a few questions about the role or the company itself.

Example: “I am very excited about this opportunity, and I would love to learn more about what the daily routine is like for this position. Also, I was wondering how much vacation time employees receive? Lastly, I noticed there is an employee referral program here. If I were hired, I would be happy to refer my friend who is also looking for work.”

When working with animals, do you prefer to work in a team setting or alone?

Working with animals can be a very social experience. Interviewers want to know if you prefer working in a team setting or alone. They also want to know how you would handle the situation if you preferred one and your employer required you to work in a different way.

Example: “I enjoy working in a team setting, but I am comfortable working alone as well. In my previous position, we worked in teams of two when handling the animals. However, sometimes it was necessary for me to work alone while my partner handled other tasks. I feel confident that I could do both equally well.”

We want to improve our animal care procedures. Tell me about one strategy you would implement to improve our procedures.

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would implement change in their facility. They want to know that you can work with others and communicate your ideas effectively. In your answer, explain a strategy you used in the past to improve animal care procedures.

Example: “In my previous role as an animal technician, I noticed that we were running out of supplies more often than usual. After talking with other technicians, I learned they weren’t ordering enough supplies because they didn’t think there was a need for them. To solve this problem, I created a spreadsheet where technicians could enter information about each cage every day. This way, everyone knew exactly what supplies were needed at all times.”

Describe your experience with using animal cages, pens and other equipment.

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with working in a laboratory setting. They want to know if you have used the equipment they use and how well you can operate it. In your answer, describe any experience you have using animal cages, pens or other equipment that is commonly found in laboratories. If you don’t have direct experience, explain what you would do if you needed to use these tools.

Example: “I’ve worked with animals for several years now, so I am familiar with many of the common types of cages, pens and other equipment used in labs. For example, I know how to properly clean and disinfect animal cages after each use. I also understand how to set up and take down pens and other equipment when moving them from one location to another.”

What makes you the best candidate for this laboratory animal technician position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of all the skills and experiences that make you an ideal candidate for this position. Focus on highlighting your most relevant skills and abilities while also showing enthusiasm for the job.

Example: “I am passionate about animal welfare and care, which is why I became a laboratory animal technician in the first place. My experience working with animals has taught me how to handle different personalities and species, which makes me feel confident in my ability to work with any type of animal. I am committed to providing excellent care to every animal under my watch, and I believe my compassion and dedication will be beneficial to this role.”

Which animals have you worked with and which ones do you wish you could work with?

Interviewers ask this question to see if you have experience working with the animals they use in their facility. They also want to know whether you would be excited about working with these animals or if you’re only interested in working with other species. When answering this question, make sure to mention the specific species of animal you’ve worked with and why you enjoyed it. If you haven’t worked with any of the species used at the facility, explain which species you’d like to work with and why.

Example: “I’ve worked with mice, rats, guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits. I really enjoy working with rodents because they are so intelligent and curious. I find that I can form a strong bond with them over time and learn a lot from them as well.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of this job?

This question can help interviewers understand what you value about this role. They may ask it to see if your priorities align with the company’s goals for this position. When preparing your answer, think about which aspects of this job are most important to you and why. Consider mentioning some skills that support these priorities.

Example: “The most important aspect of this job is ensuring the safety of the animals in our care. I know how much time and effort researchers put into their projects, so I take my responsibilities seriously. I am always looking for ways to improve animal welfare and ensure technicians are following best practices. For example, I recently started a training program where we teach new technicians how to properly handle the animals.”

How often do you perform routine checks on animals?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your experience with animal care. They want to know how often you perform routine checks and what kind of procedures you use during these checks. Use examples from your previous job to explain the frequency of your routine checks and the specific tasks you performed during each check.

Example: “At my last job, I performed routine checks on animals every day. During these checks, I would feed the animals, clean their cages and monitor their health. I also recorded any changes in behavior or appearance that could indicate a problem. If I noticed anything unusual, I reported it to my supervisor so they could address the issue.”

There is a problem with an experiment and the researcher wants to try again. What would you do?

Interviewers may ask this question to see how you would handle a situation that could arise in the workplace. They want to know if you have any experience with this and what your approach was. In your answer, try to be as specific as possible about what you did and why you made those decisions.

Example: “In my previous role, I had a researcher who wanted to repeat an experiment because they didn’t get the results they were expecting. I helped them decide which parts of the experiment they should change and then we repeated it. The second time around, the researcher got the results they were looking for.”