Animal Facility Manager

Agenda Life Sciences; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading life sciences company in Liverpool is seeking an Animal Facility Manager to oversee the welfare and husbandry of animals. The role requires strong management skills, relevant qualifications in animal science, and experience in compliance with Home Office regulations. Responsibilities include managing a team, coordinating research activities, and ensuring the highest standards of care are maintained.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in management and maintenance of an animal unit.
• Familiarity with Health and Safety requirements, COSHH, and risk assessments.
• Ability to manage staff performance and training.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of technicians for the welfare of animals.
• Liaise with licensees and vets for health care.
• Coordinate research and manage the facility space.

Skills

IAT membership and Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience

NAMWO training and qualifications

Competence in Microsoft Office

Understanding of disease control and biosecurity

Experience under ASPA

Education

Degree in a relevant animal science subject

Job description

Overview

Animal Facility Manager

LOCATION: Liverpool

SALARY: £38,249-£45,413

REF: ALS3036

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of technicians who are responsible for the daily husbandry and welfare of animals
• Liaise and communicate with licensees and the named vet to ensure the highest level of health care is provided and maintained for all animals
• Order equipment and consumables on the universities e-procurement system
• Manage staff rotas, overtime and annual leave on the LJMU Software
• Regularly attend health and safety committee meetings, reviewing any relevant issues to the facility
• Be an active member of the Animal Facility Steering Group, which meets quarterly and manages the activities and oversees the use of the animal unit for research and teaching purposes
• Attend laboratory practicals where rodents from the LSSU are being used by undergraduates. Demonstrate handling techniques and husbandry to the students
• Manage a large, multi-user research space which incorporates office space, wet lab, animal housing, surgical and procedural rooms
• Ensure the waste stream is adequate, compliant and any delays in collection are quickly acted upon to prevent backlog
• Act as NACWO for the day-to-day care of animals and for all regulated and non-regulated projects conducted within the facility
• Supervise honours students using the LSSU, carrying out induction and reviewing risk assessments before commencement
• Be the first point of contact for project and personal licence holders, to provide advice and answer queries relating to Home Office regulations
• Coordinate the research conducted within the facility including use of facility space
• Assess study plans to ensure appropriate allocation of resources and liaise with researchers and technical staff
• Recruit, organise and manage a team of technicians, creating work schedules and assignments and ensuring sufficient staff cover to care for animals at all times
• Manage staff performance including probations, staff review and development and identifying necessary training

Qualifications

• IAT membership and Level 3 qualification or equivalent experience
• Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) training and qualifications
• Good understanding of the control and management of disease transfer and biosecurity
• Highly competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications
• Home Office Licence modules A, B and C (previously 1-4)
• Hold a degree, or equivalent in a relevant animal science subject
• Experience in all aspects of management and maintenance of an animal unit
• Familiarity with Health and Safety requirements, COSHH, risk assessment and animal allergy policies
• Ability to work weekends and participate in out of hours call out
• Experience of working under ASPA within an animal facility