Senior In Vivo Animal Unit Lead

IQVIA; Portishead; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Financial & Retirement

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Additional Perks

Job summary

IQVIA Portishead seeks an experienced Unit Manager to lead an in vivo facility responsible for small rodent work. You will ensure ASPA compliance, hold a Home Office PIL, supervise husbandry and staff, and support study delivery with clinicians and NACWOs.

Daily site presence and strong organisational skills are essential. You will drive continuous improvement, manage audits, and coordinate with colleagues to maintain high welfare standards and compliant operations in a fast-paced CRO

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in biological or life sciences.
• Demonstrable lab-based industry experience in CRO/biotech environments.
• Proven leadership or supervisory experience overseeing smaller teams.
• Practical knowledge of animal facilities: husbandry, biosecurity, environmental controls, welfare assessment.
• Strong communication skills for professional relationships with peers and reports.
• Home Office Personal Licence covering rodents.
• Eligibility and willingness to be NACWO under ASPA, subject to Home Office approval.
• Willingness to travel to Portishead daily and provide out-of-hours NACWO support.
• Advantageous: MSc/PhD in related fields, ex vivo biomarker analysis familiarity.
• Proven project leadership and client communication experience.
• Surgical licence coverage and hands-on rodent surgery experience (ASPA).
• Eligibility and willingness to be NTCO/NACWO under ASPA.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and people management for a small rodent animal unit.
• Ensure ASPA compliance and all Home Office, institutional, and ethical requirements.
• Hold Home Office PIL and perform licensed procedures as required.
• Oversee animal welfare, husbandry, health monitoring, and environment.
• Support staff training, performance management, and rosters.
• Maintain records on animal use, staffing, training, and compliance.
• Collaborate with scientists, veterinarians, NACWO, and Named Persons to support study delivery.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of facility processes and SOPs.
• Support internal and external audits and inspections.
• Stay updated on animal welfare initiatives and liaise with external sites.

Skills

Leadership

Home Office Personal Licence (rodents)

NACWO eligibility under ASPA

NTCO eligibility under ASPA

Data analysis & experimental design

Client communication

Staff training & performance管理

SOPs & regulatory readiness

Education

Degree, HND, or equivalent in biological or life sciences

Job description

IQVIA Portishead seeks an experienced Unit Manager to lead an in vivo facility responsible for small rodent work. You will ensure ASPA compliance, hold a Home Office PIL, supervise husbandry and staff, and support study delivery with clinicians and NACWOs.

Daily site presence and strong organisational skills are essential. You will drive continuous improvement, manage audits, and coordinate with colleagues to maintain high welfare standards and compliant operations in a fast-paced CRO