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View Vacancy -- Phenotyping & Laboratory Technician - MLC 1726
Overall purpose:
To provide a cross team service in the clinical pathology lab, primarily undertaking clinical chemistry analysis, haematology and plate based assays, as well as a range of phenotyping assays performed on live mice as part of the Phenotyping service at the Mary Lyon Centre. The Phenotyping team at the Mary Lyon Centre are a team of dedicated individuals, working together to understand how changes in genes effect behaviour, metabolism and sensory systems in mice. Data produced by this team informs researchers around the UK and across the world about the roles of many mammalian genes and how they might lead to disease in humans.
Main duties / key responsibilities:
Clinical Chemistry
- Care and operation of all equipment including Beckman Coulter DXC700AU, Advia2120, FLUOstar Optima plate reader and RAPID Lab 348EX blood gas analyser.
- Processing of samples for analysis.
In-vivo phenotyping
- Carry out in-vivo phenotyping assays such as blood sampling, recording metabolic activity and body composition measurements in mice.
- Work under the Animals (Scientific Procedure) Act 1986 to ensure high standards of animal care and welfare whilst carrying out scientific procedures.
Time management
- Sensible management of scheduled work to effectively prioritise work and maintain good turn-around times.
- Cross team working.
Quality Assurance & Record Keeping
- Ensuring that all SOP’s, risk assessments and COSHH are observed
- Maintenance of database and keeping various records and logs up to date as per requirements for ISO 9001 certification
Data Collection & Analysis
- Collating, recording and uploading data into LIMS databases, spreadsheets and programs appropriate for data capture.
- Downloading, collating and performing critical quality control analysis on phenotyping data.
Working relationships:
The post holder will report to the Metabolic Phenotyping Manager, working within the clinical chemistry laboratory and a team of phenotyping animal technicians. They will liaise with internal and external customers as well as service engineers and suppliers.
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 equalities and diversity leadership and management.
Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements:
The job 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 job 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, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
Education / Qualifications / Training required:
Essential:
- BSc in Biological or Biomedical Sciences
Desirable:
- Home Office license
Previous work experience required:
Essential:
- General laboratory experience
- Experience handling blood samples
- Experience of blood sample analysis
Desirable:
- Experience in clinical chemistry, haematology, ELISA or other immunoassays
- Experience performing metabolic phenotyping tests in mice
- Experience of working in a commercial or service led environment
- Experience working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Knowledge and experience:
Essential:
- Computer Literacy
- Ability to accurately follow protocols/SOPs
Desirable:
- Experience with laboratory information management systems
- Experience writing SOP’s
- Experience handling complex datasets
- Experience in phenotyping procedures
Personal skills/behaviours/qualities:
Essential:
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable in approach to work to ensure changing priorities and deadlines are met
- A service delivery focus
- Ability to work on day to day functions both independently and as part of a team
- Acute attention to detail.
Desirable:
- Experience in training others
The candidate may occasionally be required to travel to attend meetings or training
Contracted to work 36 hours per week
Overtime will be required at weekends on a rota basis (usually 8-11am every fourth weekend)
Support will be provided towards professional registration with the Science Council
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of 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 salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
This opportunity is closed to applications.