Specialist Animal Technician

Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell

Harwell

On-site

GBP 26,000 - 36,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Defined-benefit pension scheme

Excellent holiday entitlement

Employee shopping/travel discounts

Cycle-to-work scheme

Job summary

A leading research institute in Harwell is seeking a Specialist Animal Technician to support world-class research through animal husbandry and compliance. The ideal candidate will have experience in a laboratory setting, a passion for animal welfare, and a strong understanding of aseptic techniques. Join a dynamic team dedicated to biomedical research and make a significant impact in the field.

Qualifications

Experience of working in a laboratory or animal facility under SOPs.
Ability to follow strict aseptic techniques and regulatory compliance.
Genuine care for animal welfare.

Responsibilities

Perform husbandry for germ-free, gnotobiotic, and immunocompromised colonies.
Conduct animal procedures under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
Monitor animal health and welfare; escalate clinical observations.
Monitor animal health and welfare; report clinical observations
Maintain digital records using LIMS and SOPs
Work across specialist units, including weekends/rota duties
Participate in audits and sterility monitoring

Skills

Care for animal welfare

Aseptic techniques

Basic computer skills

Animal welfare

Education

5 GCSEs including science

Tools

Germ-free isolators

IVC systems

Job description

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Talent Acquisition Manager at UK Research and Innovation - Science and Technology Facilities Council/National Quantum Computing Centre

Contract type: Permanent

Hours: Full time (36 hours per week) however part time hours (25 – 30 per week) will be considered

About Us

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation park 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 a number of research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human disease.

About the Role

Join Our Specialist Animal Technician Team and Help Shape the Future of Biomedical Research

Are you an experienced and adaptable Animal Technician looking for your next challenge? We’re expanding our dynamic team and seeking a skilled professional to work across three units that support world-class research:

Germ-Free Units: Work in axenic and gnotobiotic environments using isolators and aseptic techniques

Immunocompromised Units: Follow high-barrier Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support vulnerable animal models

Quarantine Unit: Play a key role in high-health surveillance and smooth barrier transitions

You will rotate across these areas, supporting husbandry and procedural work, ensuring welfare and compliance to regulatory standards.

This is a hands-on role involving routine and specialised husbandry, experimental procedures, and close interaction with researchers and facility teams. The post-holder will be instrumental in maintaining sterility, biosecurity, and animal welfare in high-containment environments.

You’ll be part of a supportive, skilled team contributing to critical biomedical discoveries. No two days are the same — and your work will make a real impact.

About You

You will need to hold/have:

5 GCSEs (grade C/4 or above), including science
Experience of working in a laboratory or animal facility under SOPs
Genuine care for animal welfare and high standards of ethics
Ability to follow strict aseptic techniques and regulatory compliance
Basic computer skills, including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages (for example, Excel)

Key Responsibilities

Perform husbandry for germ-free, gnotobiotic, and immunocompromised colonies
Operate and maintain germ-free isolators and individually ventilated cage (IVC) systems
Conduct animal procedures (e.g., dosing, sampling, phenotype scoring) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)
Monitor animal health and welfare; escalate and act on clinical observations
Maintain meticulous digital records using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and in line with SOPs
Work flexibly across specialist units, including weekend and rota-based duties
Contribute to quarantine operations and aseptic workflows
Participate in audits, and health and sterility monitoring programmes
Liaise with scientists and the wider animal care team to support studies

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: Specialist Animal Technician - MLC 2677 - Medical Research Council

Please quote reference MLC 2677.

The closing date for applications is 24th August 2025.

Seniority level