animal technicians
The Pirbright Institute
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
The Pirbright Institute invites applications for Animal Technician roles in its Animal Services department. The post involves care and welfare of animals across facilities with varying containment levels, reporting to the Deputy Facility Manager.
A balance of routine animal care, training in ASPA procedures, and documentation duties is required. Successful candidates will work in shifts, with potential travel to other site facilities, and must meet licensing, safety and data-recording standards
Qualifications
- Five GCSEs or equivalent as a baseline qualification.
- Strong verbal and written English communication skills.
- Meticulous attention to detail for documentation and data recording.
- Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions.
- Team player with reliability under pressure.
- Interest in animal welfare and handling of animals.
- Experience in animal facilities or research environment is desirable.
Responsibilities
- Care, welfare and husbandry of animals within facilities.
- Assist with regulated procedures under ASPA following training and supervision.
- Ensure compliance with ASPA and biosafety legislation.
- Support training and development within the Animal Services department.
- Logistical planning and post-study wash-up for animal studies.
Skills
Education
Job description
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. Licensed Animal Technicians play an essential role in the complete delivery of world leading animal studies through collaboration with internal stakeholders at all levels. We are currently recruiting animal technicians to work with a variety of species. On a day-to-day basis, this post will be positioned within The Pirbright Institute animal facilities operating at varying containment levels up to and including SAPO4 and ACDP3. Whilst it is envisaged that this role will be mostly located within one facility, there will also be expectations that this role may be required (on occasion) to work in other animal facilities across site and with other species. The post holder will report directly to the Deputy Facility Manager. Main duties and responsibility Animal Care, Welfare and Husbandry
- Hold a Home Office Personal Licence (PIL Cat A&B) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended 2012) (ASPA).
- Carry out regulated procedures in compliance with ASPA following suitable training, supervision, and competency assessment.
- Help ensure compliance with the main provisions of ASPA, in particular ensuring animals are housed under the requirements of the law.
- Understand and ensure compliance with relevant bio-safety legislation as it applies to each facility, including SAPO, COSHH and GM.
- Attend an accredited NACWO course and achieve certification to ensure awareness of legislation and uniformity of approach across all facilities.
- Actively support The Pirbright Institute's commitments to Replacement, Reduction and Refinement, including exploring refinements with guidance from line management.
- Assist with building shutdowns, including full clean down of the facility, safe handling of hazardous chemicals and disinfection/fumigation of the building/rooms.
- Process waste streams via the required process inclusive of autoclave, incineration, and fumigation operation.
- Assist with planned preventative maintenance, including undertaking building seal-ability testing.
- Contribute towards the production and continued development of departmental documentation and process.
- Assist with training activities within the Animal Services department.
- Be actively involved in the logistical pre-planning and post wash-up of animal studies.
- Be a responsible member of The Pirbright Institute community.
- Attend site, if available, for the occasional requirement for out-of-hours support.
This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope of the position and is not an exhaustive list of skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities, or working conditions associated with it. Responsibilities may change to carry out other duties as may be reasonably required by the line manager and may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing need of The Pirbright Institute.
- 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
- Must have an interest in working with animals and their welfare
- To be able to work under the 11-day fortnight rota system (working every other weekend) - This involves working a shift pattern agreed at onboarding if successful of either, Experience of working under a 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
The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats. This important research would not be possible without the proportionate use of animals, which are integral to the development of new disease control measures such as vaccines and diagnostics. We have an establishment-wide commitment to the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement), high standards of animal welfare, a culture of care and openness. Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute's aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a 'one Institute' approach.
Working Monday to the following Thursday (11 days), and then having the next 3 days off (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), or Working Tuesday to the following Friday (11 days), and then having the next 3 days off (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.
- Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings)
- 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus public and privilege days
- Buy and sell annual leave
- Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave
- Pirbright gym with 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
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