Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator

Medical Research Council; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading medical research organization in East Hagbourne seeks a Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator. This part-time role involves coordinating the export of biological materials, requiring strong communication skills and attention to detail. Candidates should have GCSEs in maths and English and prior experience in administrative or customer-focused roles. The position offers a range of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme to employee discounts, contributing to vital medical research.

Benefits

Defined-benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Employee shopping/travel discounts

Salary sacrifice cycle-to-work scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-throughput service role.
• Experience with outward-facing activities or administrative tasks.
• Intermediate understanding and use of IT packages and databases.

Responsibilities

• Locating and packing biological samples for shipment.
• Liaising with staff to assist in resource dissemination.
• Coordinating with investigators to manage sample distribution.
• Building relationships with courier companies for shipment delivery.
• Maintaining quality and accuracy in delivery services.

Skills

Customer focused

Excellent communication skills

Attention to detail

Team player

IT proficiency

Education

GCSE maths and English

Job description

Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator

Salary: MRC-5a - £30,512 per annum, pro rata

Hours: Part-Time (25 hours per week)

Contract Type: Open-Ended

About Us

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation campus in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research. As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support several research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration.

About the role

We have an exciting opportunity at the Mary Lyon Centre to join our Laboratory Services team as our new Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator. This role will support Harwell’s standing as a national/international centre for mouse resources, co‑ordinating the exportation of biological materials to the scientific community around the world!

We are looking for someone that is a strong team player, customer focused, with excellent communication skills, and a keen eye for detail. This role will suit a person who has an aptitude to learn and the passion to grow, as full training and support will be provided.

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities

• Physically locating and packing biological samples before shipment (including packaging on dry ice and liquid nitrogen)
• Working with other members of staff dedicated to dissemination of resources and assisting them as and when necessary
• Liaising with investigators within the MRC and other universities/institutes to coordinate the dissemination of biological samples
• Building relationships and liaising with courier companies to ensure the safe delivery of shipments
• Ensuring that the quality and accuracy of our delivery services are maintained

About you

You will need to have:

• GCSE maths and English
• Previous experience in an environment involving a wide range of outward‑facing activities and/or administrative tasks
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, high‑throughput service role
• Ability to understand/use IT packages and databases at an Intermediate level
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written)

Benefits

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits, from a defined‑benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement, to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle‑to‑work scheme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world‑class medical research organisation.

How to Apply

If you are ready to take on this exciting role and be part of a team dedicated to ground‑breaking research, we would love to hear from you. For full details and to apply: https://mrc.tal.net/vx/lang-en-GB/appcentre-1/candidate/postings/3086

Please quote reference MLC 2758.

The closing date for applications is 11 January 2026