View Vacancy -- Animal Technician (Band 5) - MLC 1915

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/ 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. 

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or in the support functions. The MRC encourages the integration of clinical and discovery research to elucidate both disease processes and potential new therapies. The MLC focuses on preclinical research using mouse models, which supports clinical research and therapy discovery. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

Overall Purpose: 

We are looking for two Animal Technicians to work in the MLC team and provide high quality husbandry and experimental procedures to fulfil scientific needs. This includes ensuring that the needs of the animals are met in terms of clean cages, food, bedding and health checks, working under Home Office licensing (Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act amended 2012) to carry out ethically justified procedures, and meticulous record keeping of all animal-related work.

 Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: 

• Day-to-day husbandry, cage changing, daily checks and environmental monitoring
• Checking the health and welfare of experimental mouse stocks and addressing their welfare needs
• Responsibility for the colonies and breeding of specific genetically altered lines. Advising on welfare and breeding strategies. Liaising with researchers to make plans and updating them on progress
• Direct the team in the absence of senior staff and train new staff in husbandry tasks and procedures
• Provide procedural services including taking biopsies and blood samples, as well as more complex procedures
• Computerised record keeping
• Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments

Working Relationships: 

Member of a team working under supervision of a Line Manager and Ward Supervisor. Liaise with other teams including MLC maintenance, phenotyping, necropsy and teams of researchers.

Additional Information: 

Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements.

Equality & Diversity:

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 

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal.  Any changes should be made and agreed between the post holder and their manager. 

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.

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above 

Desirable:

• Institute of Animal Technology level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology
• Home Office License

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Experience of working in a laboratory environment, including working to SOPs and risk assessments 

Desirable:

• Experience of working with laboratory animals
• Experience in assessing and treating health concerns in animals
• Experience in colony management of genetically altered mice

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
• Experience in animal husbandry
• Basic computer skills including the ability to use digital record keeping systems and common software packages (for example, Excel)

 Desirable:

• Ability to train other members of staff
• Background in genetics or biology

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work as part of a team or autonomously when required
• Self-motivated and positive influence on other team members