View Vacancy -- FESA Laboratory Technician - MLC 1842

In 2018 the Medical Research Council (MRC) was incorporated into UK Research and Innovation (UKRI: www.ukri.org) which brought together 7 research councils plus, Research England and Innovate UK to form a large independent organisation leading research and innovation within the UK. 

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/, is located in leafy Oxfordshire and is an internationally-renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research. It specialises in using the mouse as a model organism for studying gene function and the causes of human disease. The MLC offers a range of core services that support the scientific community including the generation of new mouse models, the characterisation of these models, bio-banking and worldwide distribution. Our success is underpinned by the highest animal welfare standard and a commitment to the development and implementation of cutting edge technologies. 

In addition, to our core scientific services the MLC is home to the Advance Training Centre https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/training/ which offers practical and theoretical training courses across a wide spectrum of career paths. We are also proud supporters of the Technicians Commitment https://sciencecouncil.org/employers/technician-commitment/

Overall purpose: 

This is an open-ended vacancy for a technician to work in the cryopreservation/IVF laboratory. 

This critical role will support Harwell’s standing as a National/International centre providing access to mouse resources. The primary function of this role will revolve around the cryopreservation of mouse models of human disease. In response to specific requests the post-holder will also be asked to recover mouse strains from the archive using in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer techniques. Our clients include an extensive network of UK collaborators and overseas clients. 

The post-holder will work closely with the other members of the cryopreservation/IVF team and will report directly to the laboratory manager. 

The ideal candidate will have some understanding of mammalian biology, good communication skills and be computer literate. Previous experience of assisted reproductive technology would be desirable but this is not essential as comprehensive training will be given. During their employment, the post-holder will need to acquire expertise in IVF, sperm/embryo freezing and embryo-transfer recovery techniques. The post-holder will also need to be a team player, customer focused, possess excellent communication skills and have a keen eye for detail. The post would be ideally suited to someone who thrives in a busy, high-throughput environment, and who is striving for continuous improvement. 

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with an interest in reproductive biology to acquire a solid grounding in assisted reproduction technologies and we encourage anyone with aspirations in this area to apply. 

The Biological Resources Group (BRG) is responsible for the National Mouse Archive, which currently holds >3,000 mouse stocks, many of which are recognised as unique mouse models of human genetic disease. The Mary Lyon Centre is located on the Harwell Campus, which is an thriving science hub specialising in Health, Space and Energy-based technologies (www.harwellcampus.com). 

Main duties / key responsibilities: 

Main duties and responsibilities will depend on previous experience but will centre on:

• Setting up and executing in vitro fertilisation sessions
• Dissecting mouse tissues and embryo/sperm harvesting
• Cryopreserving embryos, spermatozoa and ovarian tissue
• Embryo transfers
• Superovulation of embryo and oocyte donors
• Carrying out the duties expected of a Home Office Personal Licence holder
• Updating archive records
• Sample management/tracking
• Media preparation
• Following SOPs and working to ISO 9001 standards
• Maintaining the biosecurity of the MLC and MLC quarantine suite
• Assisting with the routine laboratory activities
• The post will involve some out-of-hours working

 Working relationships:

The post-holder will report directly to the laboratory manager and will work closely with staff from the Mary Lyon Centre’s Operations team. The post-holder may also be expected to liaise closely with the wider scientific community.

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: Higher education/further education qualification in biological science 

Desirable: BSc/MSc in reproductive biology. Home Office Licence PIL A–C

Previous work experience required:

Essential: Previous experience of working within a laboratory environment and/or working with laboratory animals

Desirable: Experience of working within the area of reproductive biology. Experience of working in a high-throughput service role 

Knowledge and experience: 

Essential: 

Laboratory skills and/or working with laboratory animals:

A background in biology with previous experience of working in a laboratory setting and/or previous experience of working with laboratory animals or tissues

Computer literacy:

High level of computer literacy

Team work:

Ability to work within a multi-disciplinary team

Communication skills:

Good verbal and written communication skills

Attention to detail:

Keen eye for detail and a desire to master a range of laboratory techniques

Organisational skills:

Ability to work independently and prioritise weekly work schedule

Flexible working:

Ability to work within various work environments as the requirements of the clients change

Quality control:

Ability to follow SOPs and produce work of a high standard

Desirable:

Laboratory skills:

Previous experience of pre-implantation embryo culture work, cryopreservation of mammalian embryos/germplasm or experience of other cell systems and/or organ cultures. Experience of microscope use

Working with laboratory animals:

Previous experience of working with laboratory animals, performing licenced procedures, dissecting organs or tissues. Holds a Home Office Licence PIL A–C

Computer literacy:

Familiarity with data management and online database tools

Team work:

As above but with the proven ability to think and work independently

Communication skills:

Previous experience of communicating with members of other laboratories within the UK and abroad

Attention to detail:

As above but with the proven ability to troubleshoot problems when things go wrong

Organisational skills:

Proven history of good time management in a high-throughput service environment

Flexible working:

Previous experience of working out of hours/flexible working patterns

Quality control:

Proven experience of working to ISO9001 standards or equivalent

Personal skills/behaviours/qualities: 

Essential: 

Good interpersonal and time management skills. The post-holder will be working with a team of laboratory technicians and may be required to communicate with the wider scientific community. It is essential that the post-holder has a customer-focused approach to service delivery and has a desire to learn a variety of new skills

Desirable:

A self-motivated individual who shows confidence in their abilities