Cleaning and Sterilisation Technician

UK Research and Innovation; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation’s Mary Lyon Centre at Harwell, Oxfordshire, seeks a reliable technician to support day-to-day operations, ensuring cleanliness, hygiene and biosafety in laboratories and animal holding areas.

You will prepare, sterilise and supply equipment and consumables, operate autoclaves and automated systems, monitor stock, and follow SOPs and risk assessments to keep the facility running smoothly. 36 hours/week, permanent open-ended contract.

Qualifications

• Essential: Basic literacy and numeracy; follows instructions and SOPs.
• Desirable: Forklift truck licence.
• Desirable: Computer literacy and willingness to use systems.

Responsibilities

• Maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and biosecurity in laboratories and animal holding areas.
• Maintain laboratory replenishment, including bottle filling, diet and bedding replacement and provision of sterilised equipment.
• Operate automated and semi-automated machinery such as autoclaves, robotic systems and tunnel washers; troubleshoot issues.
• Monitor consumables and stocks; manage stock rotation and expiry dates.
• Work safely following SOPs and risk assessments.

Skills

Basic literacy

Numeracy

Computer literacy

Education

Basic literacy and numeracy

Forklift truck licence

Job description

Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell. Salary: £27,406 per annum. Band: MRC-6a S2. Contract type: Open ended. Hours: Full time (36 hours). Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire. Closing date: Sunday 1 November 2026.

Overall Purpose

We are looking for a reliable and proactive technician to play an important role in the day-to-day operation of our facility. The post-holder will help ensure that our laboratories and animal holding areas are maintained to high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and biosecurity. They will be responsible for preparing, sterilising and supplying the equipment and consumables required by teams working within the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC). This is a practical role that would suit a collaborative individual who is comfortable in operating specialist equipment while following established procedures.

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities

• Help maintain high standards of cleanliness, hygiene and biosecurity across laboratory and administrative areas
• Maintain laboratory replenishment to satisfactory levels, including bottle filling, diet and bedding replacement and provision of sterilised equipment
• Operate automated and semi-automated machinery such as autoclave, robotic systems and tunnel washer; troubleshooting problems as they arise and seeking advice where appropriate
• Monitor consumables and stocks, ensuring effective management of stock rotation and expiry dates
• Work safely and consistently in accordance with the local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Risk Assessments

Working Relationships

Part of a team working under the supervision of senior personnel.

Additional Information

Must be able to work overtime on a rota basis.

Education/Qualifications/Training Required

• Essential:
  • Basic literacy and numeracy skills with the ability to follow instructions and operating procedures
  • Computer literate with the confidence and willingness to use relevant systems as required
• Desirable:
  • Forklift truck licence

Previous Work Experience Required

• Essential:
  • Experience of working in a practical role where maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene was essential
  • Previous experience of working in a busy environment and ability to manage individual and team priorities
• Desirable:
  • Experience of preparing and processing equipment for cleaning and sterilisation
  • Experience of operating automated machinery or equipment
  • Experience in effective management of consumables, stock rotations and expiry dates

Knowledge and Experience

• Essential:
  • Understands the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and hygiene
  • Experience of working with safety and caution while using basic cleaning equipment
• Desirable:
  • Experience of working in accordance with SOPs, Risk Assessments or other written procedures
  • Experience in operating machinery, although appropriate training will be provided

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities

• Essential: A positive and collaborative approach to teamwork, with a willingness to support colleagues and contribute to the effective running of the team
• Good communication skills with the ability to have productive and collaborative discussions with colleagues
• Excellent attention to detail to ensure tasks are completed accurately with minimal errors
• Ability to undertake the physical requirements of the role, including lifting and handling bags of food and bedding weighing up to 12.5 kg
• Flexibility approach to working in different areas of the MLC
• Willingness to work flexibly with overtime hours to meet operational demands

Equality & Diversity

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC's: Code of Conduct, Equality and Diversity policy, Health and Safety policy, Data Protection and Security policy. The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.

UKRI supports research

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research.

Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.