Animal Technician

Overall Purpose: To work with scientific researchers in order to look after the health and welfare of a breeding colony of rhesus macaques. This work includes daily husbandry duties such as cleaning and feeding, as well as maintaining accurate records. All work is governed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act through the Home Office. Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:

• Checking the health and welfare of the animals
• Addressing welfare needs including habituation and training of animals
• Maintaining cleanliness in the animal rooms
• Record keeping
• Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments, Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements.
Person Requirements Education/Qualifications/Training Required: Essential:
• Five GCSEs at grade C or above
Desirable:
• Computer literacy
Previous Work Experience Required: Essential:
• Working and adhering to instructions/protocols/processes
Desirable:
• Basic animal husbandry
  
  Good communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
• Basic computer skills
Desirable:
• Experience of working to SOPs
• Experience of computerised record keeping
• Ideally, experience of working as part of a team
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities: Essential: The applicant should be able to work as part of a team and work under the supervision of senior personnel

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. Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC's: Code of Conduct Equality and Diversity policy Health and Safety policy Data Protection and Security policy The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC. About Us: UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at . Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit . How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment. About the Team: The Medical Research Council Centre for Macaques is a primate breeding unit established in 2003 to house and breed rhesus macaques, funded by the MRC with support from the Welcome Trust, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Non-human primates continue to be used in some areas of research where there are no alternative approaches. Macaques are non-human primates which have similarities to humans in their vision, central nervous system and immunology and reproductive system. The monkeys are used in basic and applied research within the academic sector in the UK, funded by the major grant-giving bodies. The unit houses about 250 animals including breeding stock and youngsters. The breeding programme is planned so that supply and demand are matched, to prevent in-breeding and to ensure there is no need to import animals.