Animal Technician - Mary Lyon Centre

Animal Technician - Mary Lyon Centre

Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

£25,596 per annum

Permanent

Full Time (36 hours per week)

About us

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation park in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research. As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support a number of distinct research clusters spread across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human disease.

About our roles

Do you have a keen interest in animals, and are you looking to start a career in scientific research?

We have four full-time roles available for caring individuals to join our Animal Technician team at Harwell. New team members would ensure a high level of animal welfare, and will work to improve the quality of life for laboratory animals, in line with the Home Office regulations (The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, amended 2012). They will also carry out ethically justified procedures and ensure meticulous computerised record keeping of all animal-related work.

We are looking for people with a responsible attitude, a love of animals, and a willingness to care for them. Training will be provided in animal husbandry, as well as in use of our database system and in basic genetics. This training allows technicians to understand the work being done, as well as to contribute to discussions on managing mouse colonies. Further progression will include completion of the Home Office licence course, and application for a Personal Licence, after which technicians will be able to carry out procedural work.

Key responsibilities include

·      Checking the health and welfare of experimental mice

·      Participating in the rota for cleaning and watering of animal cages

·      Addressing the welfare needs of mouse colonies

·      Maintaining cleanliness in the animal rooms

·      Computerised record keeping

·      Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments

·      Taking samples for genotyping

About You

·      You will have 5 GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above

·      Experience of working with animals, or in a capacity in which a caring approach is required, and attention to detail are essential (for example, in kennels, care homes, or working with young children)

·      Basic computer skills including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages such as Excel

·      Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements as and when required

Benefits

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits, from a defined-benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement, to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world-class medical research organisation.

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities.

The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.

How to Apply:

For full details and to apply, please click apply.

Job Reference - MLC 2409

The closing date for applications is 19th May 2024.