View Vacancy -- Biological Services Manager - MLC 2156

Open Date
19/05/2023, 10:00
Close Date
11/06/2023, 23:55
MRC Mary Lyon Centre

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/ is located in an expanding science and innovation campus 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 research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration. 

The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a great place to work and progress your career.  The MRC encourages the integration of clinical and discovery research to elucidate both disease processes and potential new therapies. The MLC provides vital scientific support for the UK biomedical community and 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.


UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org

MRC - 4
Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire
£32,005 - £35,143
Permanent
Science
Full Time

Overall Purpose: 

To lead a team managing the care, welfare and breeding of laboratory mice, with special responsibility for breeding and supply of inbred mice for users of the Mary Lyon Centre. This includes designing and monitoring breeding schemes, strict control of genetic integrity of inbred lines and management of other colonies (outbred and mutant lines). This post-holder will be responsible for all aspects of the work in their area, including ensuring that all the husbandry is completed, everything is done to a high standard and standard operating procedures (SOPs) are followed at all times. The role includes active participation in refinement strategies and the post-holder will be expected to bring enthusiasm and ideas to the role. The post-holder will manage a team of technicians (approximately 6 FTEs), covering all aspects of line management including PDRs, performance management, career progression and pastoral care. 

This role includes working under Home Office licensing (specifically, the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, Amended 2012) to carry out procedures, as well as meticulous record keeping of all animal-related work. 

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: 

  • Managing inbred colonies, ensuring sufficient supply whilst maintaining tight control of numbers
  • Checking the health and welfare of mouse stocks and addressing the welfare needs
  • Being the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) for inbred colonies
  • Generating and interpreting reports on breeding performance
  • Daily use of LIMS database to input all animal husbandry and procedural information
  • Writing, reading and adhering to SOPs and risk assessments
  • Day-to-day husbandry, weaning, daily checks and environmental monitoring
  • Attending meetings with research and service teams to discuss needs and supply
  • Undertaking procedures, such as administration of substances
  • Full line management of a team of technicians
  • Covering for other biological services managers in their absence 

Working Relationships: 

  • Leading a team of technicians within the Mary Lyon Centre management team, which includes managers of other animal care teams and resource managers
  • Liaising with teams of animal technicians, technical service teams, and external clients requiring supply of inbred mice 

Additional Information: 

Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements, including working approximately one weekend in four (8am-11am), Saturday and Sunday.

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 (4) or above, including maths or equivalent
      • Level 3 diploma or equivalent in biology/animal care 

      Desirable:

      • Degree in biological sciences
      • Home Office licence

      Previous Work Experience Required:

      Essential:

      • Experience of working in a laboratory environment, including working to SOPs and risk assessments
      • Experience with supervision of staff, managing workloads and dealing with day-to-day concerns 

      Desirable:

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

      Knowledge and Experience:

      Essential:

      • Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
      • Competent computer skills, including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages e.g. Excel. 

      Desirable:

      • Experience of handling datasets, visualising and checking for quality
      • Ability to train other members of staff

      Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

      Essential:

      • Excellent attention to detail
      • Ability to work autonomously and take decisions
      • Self-motivated and positive influence on their other team members
      The post-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.
      The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. 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.

      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.