Trainee Animal Technician

To work within a small team, within an animal holding room, forming part of the larger team known as the Biological Services Group (BSG), whose aim is to support scientific researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB). Specifically to provide animal husbandry for laboratory mice used in medical research.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

• Daily care and maintenance of research mice within individually ventilated caging systems (IVCs)
• Daily welfare observations using good attention to detail in order to check animal numbers and caging information and to report any abnormalities as appropriate
• Regular observations of cage cleanliness and changing cage bases to ensure suitable environments for the animals
• Ensure the animals have access to food, water and environmental enrichment
• Maintain the animal rooms to a high standard of hygiene, for example; damp-dusting the surfaces, vacuuming and mopping the floors
• Liaise closely with scientific staff, whose animals you are responsible for
• Work closely to protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Ensure that Home Office Compliance is met in all areas at all times
• Maintain detailed, accurate records of all activities, using both electronic and manual methods

Working relationships:

Typically you will be a member of a small team (normally 3-5 people), supervised by a senior technician under the overall management of a facility manager.

Additional information:

You are expected to work overtime for one weekend (2 sessions) every month for which overtime and travel costs will be paid according to UKRI-MRC rates. A weekend session is approximately 3 hours per day. There are opportunities to work more overtime on weekends and Bank Holidays via a volunteering system

This job is based on the Babraham Research Campus, there may be occasional travel to our main lab on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus

Education / qualifications / training required:

Essential: Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A*-C) or equivalent

Previous work experience required:

Knowledge and experience:

Creativity and initiative
Essential: Can demonstrate good attention to detail

Desirable: Experience of communicating with researchers

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:

Additional information:

We would welcome applications from those at entry level as full training can be provided.

Corporate/Local responsibilities & requirements

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive and you are 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, the MRC and UKRI.

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.