Deputy NACWO - (Internal candidates only)

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge is hosting a Deputy Named Animal Care & Welfare Officer to support the Lead NACWO in a licensed facility. The role focuses on animal welfare, regulatory compliance under ASPA, and staff training and assessment.

The post requires substantial experience in an animal research setting, an NACWO qualification (or willingness to obtain one), IAT membership or equivalent, and a strong commitment to the 3Rs and culture of care within the BRU.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in an animal research environment with ASPA knowledge.
• IAT membership (or equivalent) and NACWO qualification (or willingness to obtain).
• Experience delivering training and assessing staff competence.

Responsibilities

• Providing expert animal welfare advice and support to researchers and licence holders.
• Delivering and assessing training programmes ensuring staff competency and regulatory compliance.
• Monitoring animal welfare and procedures, promoting 3Rs refinements.

Skills

NACWO qualification

IAT membership

Experience in animal research

Training delivery

Education

NACWO qualification

Job description

Join us at the world-leading CRUK Cambridge Institute. We're a unique department of the University of Cambridge, core funded by Cancer Research UK's charitable activities, and we're eagerly searching for an experienced Deputy Named Animal Care & Welfare Officer (NACWO) to join our Biological Resource Unit.

The successful candidate will support our Lead NACWO in ensuring the highest standards of animal care, welfare and regulatory compliance within our licensed research facility.

This is a specialist role combining expertise in animal welfare, husbandry and training with a strong understanding of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and all Home Office licensing around this, including personal and project licenses. The successful candidate will play a key role in promoting best practice and championing animal welfare across the facility.

The postholder will also be responsible for providing training to individuals within and external to the Unit, including assessment of training and competencies. This will include providing advice, training and support to all licence holders within the facility, the Named People, the animal care staff and the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board (AWERB).

Key Responsibilities

• Providing expert animal welfare advice and support to researchers, licence holders and animal care staff
• Delivering and assessing training programmes, ensuring staff competency and compliance with regulatory requirements
• Monitoring animal welfare and experimental procedures, promoting refinement opportunities and the principles of the 3Rs
• Maintaining accurate records relating to animal health, welfare, husbandry, environmental conditions and regulated procedures
• Working closely with the Named Veterinary Surgeon to support health monitoring and welfare management
• Supporting the care and monitoring of surgical animals, including pre- and post-operative welfare considerations
• Assisting with health status reviews for imported animals and biological materials to maintain facility health standards
• Running reports related to health concerns from the mouse database, identifying trends and opportunities for welfare refinements
• Promoting and fostering a Culture of Care, including the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) and our BRU Core Values: Team Working and Collaboration, Mutual Respect (Diversity and Inclusion), Integrity (Openness, Honesty and Transparency), Compassion, Care and Welfare, and Accountability (Taking Ownership)

About You

You will have significant experience working within an animal research environment and possess a thorough understanding of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, Home Office Codes of Practice, and associated licensing requirements. You will have a strong commitment to animal welfare and a proven ability to influence and support best practice.

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• IAT membership (or equivalent qualification and experience)
• A NACWO qualification, or willingness to obtain one
• Significant experience of laboratory animal care and welfare
• Experience delivering training, assessing competence, and supporting staff development
• Knowledge of Home Office Project and Personal Licence processes
• Good understanding of small rodent biology and genetics

Fixed-term: 31 March 2031.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.