View Vacancy -- Animal Technician - MLC 2769

Overall Purpose: 

We have an opportunity for an Animal Technician to join our In Vivo Studies team in the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC), working across several different research projects to provide high-quality technical procedures and research data for external academic researchers or biotech companies. These studies involve mouse models of human diseases, including cancers, mitochondrial disease, kidney disease and other areas. The post-holder will work as part of a team and will carry out procedures including dosing and tissue dissection as well as general husbandry and welfare assessments. 

The post-holder will report directly to the Study Manager and will work closely with members of the In Vivo Studies team. 

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: 

The post-holder is expected to:

• Carry out regular licensed procedures (after comprehensive training), alone or with other team members, as requested daily. This will include a variety of procedures such as dosing, imaging and dissections.
• Carry out animal husbandry work, to check the health and welfare of mice and address their welfare needs (including working on weekends on a rota basis)
• Keep meticulous records of all experimental animals
• Aid with diluting of drugs and basic dosing calculations
• Read and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments
• Read and work under Home Office Project Licences and undergo training to achieve a personal licence to allow work on mice 
• Assist with data quality checks
• Liaise with other groups as needed

Working Relationships: 

The post-holder will be required to work alone and as part of a team.

Daily interactions are also expected with members of other teams.

They will be line managed by the Study Manager under the Project Manager. Routine interaction with every level of seniority is expected.

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

• A Levels/higher education in a science subject

Desirable:

• Home Office Personal Licence Holder

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Experience of working in a research environment 

Desirable:

• Experience of in vivo work
• Experience working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft packages
• Ability to accurately follow protocols/SOPs
• Experience of working alone and as part of a team
• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
• Experience of working in a fast-paced environment 

Desirable:

• Experience of calculating concentrations and doses

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Positive attitude and the ability to constructively interact with other people at every level of seniority
• Flexibility to adapt to daily changes and the ability to make quick decisions are essential
• Enthusiastic, meticulous and patient

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

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.