Animal Support Technician

University of Glasgow; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 25,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Glasgow invites applications for a full-time role to maintain high standards of cleanliness and organisation within its animal facilities. You will perform daily cleaning, assist with routine animal care under supervision, and adhere to departmental biosafety policies.

You will operate washers, autoclaves, and decontamination chambers, prepare sterile procedure rooms, and ensure safe disposal of waste and carcasses.

Qualifications

• Essential: ability to perform duties at post level or SCQF Level 4 English/Maths or equivalent.
• Security clearance for working in animal facilities (to be arranged before appointment).
• Clean UK driving licence.
• Desirable: experience with manual handling and maintenance of equipment.
• Essential: competent IT skills; ability to use specialised equipment; basic health and safety knowledge; good observation and reporting.

Responsibilities

• General cleaning, upkeep of animal facility, and waste handling.
• Operate washers, autoclaves, and decontamination chambers.
• Prepare procedure rooms and sterilise equipment for aseptic procedures.
• Dispose of waste and animal carcasses safely.
• Basic equipment maintenance and reporting faults; maintain operation logs.
• Drive University vehicles to transport animals and consumables.
• Daily welfare checks on animals under SOP; document checks and report ill health.
• Adhere to SOPs and Health & Safety regulations.

Skills

IT skills

Specialised equipment

Health and safety procedures

Observation & reporting

Education

SCQF Level 4 English & Maths (Nat 4) or equivalent

Security clearance for working in animal facilities

Clean UK driving licence

Job description

Job Purpose

Deliver high standards of organisation and cleanliness within animal facilities by performing routine cleaning and maintenance duties. Undertake daily animal care duties under supervision when required. The post holder must adhere to departmental biosecurity policies as required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. General cleaning, housekeeping and upkeep of the animal facility to maintain excellent levels of hygiene and animal health. This includes responsibility for laundry, reporting when domestic supplies and consumables are low, receiving deliveries and replenishing stocks.

2. Perform cleaning and sterilisation of animal cages and equipment by operating large washers, autoclaves and fumigation/decontamination chambers.

3. Preparation of procedure rooms/operating theatres and sterilisation of equipment and consumables for use in aseptic scientific procedures. Replenishing sterile supplies.

4. Disposal of waste material, special waste and animal carcases, in a compliant and safe manner.

5. Carry out basic equipment maintenance according to routine instructions and report any equipment failures to senior staff. Includes completing basic paperwork and maintaining operation logs.

6. Driving University vehicles for transporting animals and consumables as required.

7. Under supervision, perform daily welfare check on animals according to a strict Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) and ensure food and water are provided. Includes completing and documenting that morning and/or afternoon checks have been completed. Must report any signs of ill health to a senior member of staff.

8. Awareness of, and adherence to, of the University’s and Departmental Standard Operating Procedures for operational and quality assurance purposes and to ensure compliance with the Health and Safety at work Act and other relevant legislation.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:

A1 Either: Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role. Or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 4 in English and Mathematics (National 4) or equivalent, and some experience of working in a similar role.

A2 Security clearance for working in animal facilities (will be arranged before appointment).

A3 Clean UK driving licence.

Desirable:

B1 Experience with manual handling and maintenance of equipment.

Skills

Essential:

C1 Competent IT skills.

C2 Ability to use specialised equipment.

C3 Basic understanding of, and ability to apply, health and safety procedures in the workplace.

C4 Good observation, communication and reporting skills.

Desirable:

D1 Experience using specialised sterilisation equipment.

Experience

Essential:

E1 Working as part of a team.

E2 Experience with record keeping and data recording using spreadsheets.

Desirable:

F1 Work experience with animals.

F2 Work experience in driving within a work environment (e.g. delivery).

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 3, £24,685 - £25,249 per annum.

This post is full time (35 hours p/w) and open-ended. There is a requirement to provide operational coverage 365 days per year on a rota basis and the successful candidate will be required to work on public holidays and also the “Other” days as designated.

The successful applicant will be subject to security checks by Agenda Screening Services.

Closing date: 14 October 2026

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.

3 A flexible approach to working.

4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.

We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.

We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.