Veterinary professionals in the Home Office play an important role in regulating the use of animals in scientific research across the UK. Working within the Animals in Science Regulation Unit (ASRU), we administer and enforce the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, ensuring animal use is justified, carried out to high welfare and assessed against standards.
All ASRU Inspectors come with veterinary and/or medical backgrounds which are qualifications required of the Inspector role by law. As an Inspector, you will assess licence applications for compliance with legal requirements, provide expert advice to help establishments comply with the legislation, and inspect licensed sites. This work sits at the intersection of science, ethics and public policy, helping to protect animals from unnecessary harm while enabling research that brings benefits to people, animals and the environment.
Why join us
This is a unique opportunity to use your veterinary or medical training in a different way. ASRU’s work supports two vital public goods: protecting animals used in science from unnecessary harm, and enabling research that contributes to safe medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and environmental protection, and numerous other scientific benefits.
Inspectors combine clinical and scientific expertise with regulatory judgement, influencing how research is carried out nationwide. You’ll engage with leading scientists and institutions, make decisions about complex cases, and make decisions that stand up to public and parliamentary scrutiny. The variety of work is intellectually demanding and meaningful, with no two days quite the same.
Where a career can take you
ASRU’s veterinary profession forms part of a specialist Inspectorate working in licensing and compliance teams, in a regulatory unit that works alongside central policy. Inspector roles are generally home-based, with regular travel across the UK.
We’ve invested significantly in training and development, with structured learning that builds regulatory capability alongside veterinary and scientific expertise. As your career develops, you may progress into senior or leadership roles within ASRU, or move into wider government veterinary, scientific or regulatory roles, applying your skills in new and influential ways.
What you need to succeed
Veterinary Inspectors thrive when they can combine strong analytical skills and attention to detail with sound professional judgement. You’ll be confident making evidence‑based decisions within a regulatory framework and comfortable engaging constructively with a wide range of stakeholders.
We welcome applications from veterinarians and doctors across all areas of the profession. Experience in research, laboratory animal science, regulation, policy, the life sciences, pharmaceuticals or clinical practice can all provide a strong foundation. To succeed here, you should be motivated by ethical decision‑making and upholding high professional standards.