23P-35 Animal Technician

Organisation position and purpose

The Animal Services department is based within the Capability Directorate of The Pirbright Institute and undertakes the daily care and welfare of experimental animals housed within The Pirbright Institutes animal facilities.

We are currently recruiting animal technicians to work with a variety of species such as cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and poultry.

The posts will be located within The Pirbright Institute animal facilities operating at varying containment levels up to and including SAPO4 and ACDP3 facilities. The role is multifunctional across all facilities, with an expectation that the post holder will also work with other species such as mice, rabbits and guinea pigs if required.

The purpose of this role is to provide essential support to the overall Institute objectives by undertaking the daily care and welfare of experimental animals housed within The Pirbright Institute animal facilities.

Animal Technicians play an essential role in the complete delivery of animal studies at The Pirbright Institute and receive appropriate training to be involved in all study related activities.

The post holder will report directly to the Senior Supervisor in the immediate management structure above this position.

Main duties and responsibility

• The post holder will be one of a team whose main task is the day-to-day care, welfare and general husbandry of experimental animals within the Animal Services facilities i.e., feeding, cleaning, watering and health monitoring.
• Assistance with the restraint of animals for the collection of samples and other welfare procedures.
• To hold a Home Office personal License under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended 2012)
• To carry out regulated procedures following suitable training, supervision, and competence assessment.
• To carry out the culling of animals following suitable training, supervision, and competence assessment.
• Meticulous attention to detail including record keeping, document control and the ability to adhere to written methods & protocols.
• To contribute towards the production of departmental documentation.
• The cleaning, disinfection and fumigation of facilities and equipment as required, working to a high standard of cleanliness at all times.
• Assistance with the processing of waste streams via the required process inclusive of autoclave, incineration, and fumigation.
• To assist with planned preventative maintenance and scheduled compliance testing within the facilities.
• To observe all Health, Safety and Bio Security protocols relevant to the post and the associated duties.
• To be a responsible member of The Pirbright Institute community.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

All employees shall actively participate in the Institute-wide quality assurance system in conjunction with the Institute’s Quality Manager. Employees are also expected to safeguard their own health and safety and security by following policies and all employees are responsible for the Health and Safety and security of staff under their management.

No candidate will meet every single desired qualification. If your experience looks a little different from what we have identified and you think you can bring value to the role, we would love to learn more about you.

Personal specification

For this role we are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and engaged individual who can work proactively as part of a team and as an individual. Time management, reliability under pressure, and the ability to communicate in a diplomatic, engaging, and collaborative manner are all essential within this role. A further key attribute is to have the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Specific requirements

Essential

• 5 GCSE’s or equivalent
• Good English verbal and written communication skills
• Must be able to give meticulous attention to detail including the management of section documents and recording of data
• Must have the ability to follow detailed instruction, both written and verbal
• Able to work effectively and flexibly as part of a team
• Reliability under pressure
• Decision making and problem-solving skills
• To work under the 11-day fortnight rota system

Desirable

• Home Office Personal licence
• Animal handling / husbandry experience with relevant species
• Animal technology or agricultural qualification with relevant specific modules
• Experience of working within a research environment

Due to the nature of the work we do, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

What we offer

• In addition to the basic salary, a starting allowance of £5011 will be added
• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days
• Buy and sell annual leave
• Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
• Pirbright gym with subsidised membership
• Pirbright social club
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site)
• Cycle to work
• Subsidised staff restaurant
• Childcare allowance
• Free onsite parking
• Electric Car charging facilities

We particularly welcome applications from under-represented groups, for example individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds, women, and people with disabilities (visible and hidden). We are committed to taking steps to increase the diversity of our employee and student community and removing any barriers to opportunities and success.

The Institute is committed to retaining staff employed on fixed term contracts of employment. The Institute operates a Redeployment process which is the moving of an employee from one role to another suitable alternative role, when possible, to avoid compulsory redundancies.

We recognize the need for flexibility in our working and personal lives and we have a range of flexible working arrangements in practice. Where the role allows, arrangements can also be agreed for some informal home-working and we are open to candidate questions about this. If you wish to find out more, or have any questions, please contact jobs@Pirbright.ac.uk.

To apply for this vacancy please visit our careers page -Jobs | The Pirbright Institute