DREAM JOB: GET PAID TO CUDDLE CUTE PUPPIES

Guide Dogs is currently recruiting for a Canine Science Assistant who will be paid up to £23,173 pro rata to look after, play with and cuddle adorable puppies as part of their role. This four day a week role will play a key part in the charity’s life-changing work to help those with sight loss live full and independent lives. But candidates need to get in quick as applications must be submitted by Sunday 5th December 2021.

The lucky new employee will be based at the charity’s National Centre in Leamington Spa for the duration of this 12-month contract. They will be responsible for giving guide dog puppies the very best start in life and setting them up to become a successful guide dog.

Helen Whiteside, Chief Scientific Officer at Guide Dogs, said: “As well as providing other services to enhance the lives of people with sight loss, Guide Dogs breeds and trains more than 1,000 dogs every year. The Canine Science Assistant will support the development and execution of our vital research into dog behaviour, health and wellbeing. This important role will be centred around the wellbeing of our puppies: getting to know them, interacting, and engaging with them as they grow up into happy, healthy guide dogs. We’re excited to see the applications and look forward to offering this dream position to a lucky candidate with exceptional research experience.”

This role will be focused on providing support for dog behaviour assessments. Key activities will include getting to know the puppies at seven weeks; watching videos of them to help the charity better understand their personalities and needs; checking in on them as they grow up with their puppy raisers; and meeting up with them as adults to check up on their progress. The Canine Science Assistant will also support the team with data collection, data entry and project admin.

The successful candidate will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for this highly competitive role. They will be required to have experience of working with or handling animals as well as a degree in a science or animal behaviour related subject. Applicants without a relevant degree must have at least two years’ experience working with animals. As well as having excellent organisational, time management and computer skills, they should also have good knowledge or relevant research methodologies, practices and ethics. A full list of essential and desirable criteria is available on the job description.

Working hours for this role will be within the core hours of 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, 28 hours per week, with 21 days paid holiday (excluding bank holidays) a year. As the world of work now looks a little bit different since the pandemic, there may also be some opportunities to work from home.

Guide Dogs actively encourages applications from all sections of the community, including people with disabilities who meet the essential criteria for the job. The successful candidate will require proof of identity and the right to work in the UK.

To apply, please visit: https://guidedogs-career.talent-soft.com/job/job-canine-science-assistant_428.aspx. Candidates with accessibility issues can contact Guide Dogs’ Recruitment Team on 0118 983 8837 or [email protected].

If you want to help Guide Dogs continue its life-changing work in another way, please consider sponsoring a puppy (https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/sponsor-a-puppy-today/) or volunteering to be a puppy raiser: https://www.guidedogs.org.uk/how-you-can-help/volunteering-for-guide-dogs/volunteer-role-descriptions/puppy-walker/.