Support Technician

UK Health Security Agency; Idmiston; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health agency in the UK is seeking a Support Technician to work in a Non-Human Primate breeding colony. Responsibilities include animal husbandry, environmental enrichment, and assisting with veterinary duties. Candidates must have GCSEs in Science, Maths, and English, alongside experience or qualifications in animal care. This is a physical role requiring attention to detail and team collaboration. The position offers various employee benefits including flexible working patterns.

Benefits

Defined Benefit pension scheme

Cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme

Flexible working patterns

Generous maternity/paternity leave package

Qualifications

• GCSEs or equivalent qualification in Science, Maths and English.
• Educated to NVQ 2 level in animal care/welfare (or equivalent).
• Reliable, good at team communication.
• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records.
• Understanding of improving animal welfare through refinement.
• Ability to prioritize work.
• Experience using Microsoft Office.
• Willingness to undergo UK Security Clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform routine animal husbandry with high care standards.
• Support veterinary duties and communicate health issues.
• Assist in research projects at containment levels 2 and 3.
• Help supervise key areas such as surgical rooms.
• Maintain equipment and report faults as necessary.

Skills

Animal husbandry

Effective communication

Teamwork

Record keeping

Prioritization

Microsoft Office proficiency

Education

GCSEs in Science, Maths and English

NVQ Level 2 in Animal Care/Welfare

Job description

The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) protects the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats. The Biological Services Group provides high‑containment in‑vivo research services, safeguarding public health through vaccine batch release testing and other key activities.

We are looking for a Support Technician to work at one of our Non‑Human Primate (NHP) breeding colonies. The role is physical and requires animal husbandry, environmental enrichment, welfare monitoring and support for basic pathology. Weekend and bank holiday work is on a rota. Candidates must be UK nationals with a high level security clearance and have lived in the UK for the last five years.

Everyone Matters – UKHSA promotes equality of opportunity and encourages applications from underrepresented groups. We are an employer of choice and an inclusive organisation for all staff and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

1. Perform routine animal husbandry, maintaining the highest standards of care and welfare.
2. Recognise, report and record ill health and welfare issues; support veterinary duties and communicate to line manager, NACWO or Named Vet.
3. Contribute to study work at the colonies, including projects using infection agents at containment levels 2 and 3, while following safety precautions.
4. Assist with basic post‑mortem examinations and removal of specified tissue.
5. Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies.
6. Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment programmes.
7. Record all duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.
8. Participate in regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
9. Help supervise designated areas such as the Prep‑room, Surgical Procedures room, X‑ray processing room and Sample Receipt and Storage areas; assume full responsibility in the absence of the Supervisor.
10. Ensure equipment is maintained, serviceable and up to date; report faults and relocate equipment as required.
11. Take part in the rota for weekend and public holiday work and ‘out‑of‑hours’ scoring of NHPs in study.
12. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra and MHRA.
13. Carry out any other duties required by the Line Manager commensurate with grade.
14. Complete necessary training to undertake the role safely, as identified through the training matrix and in discussion with your line manager, and maintain your training record.
15. Maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard 'Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety' (NOS HSS1).
16. Meet UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade.
17. Comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

• GCSEs or equivalent qualification in Science, Maths and English.
• Educated to NVQ 2 level in animal care/welfare (or equivalent) OR significant equivalent previous proven experience.
• Demonstrate reliability and ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists.
• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records.
• Understanding of the requirement to continually review processes to improve animal welfare through refinement.
• Ability to prioritise work.
• Experience of using Microsoft Office programmes.
• Willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance.
• Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.
• Commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• Familiarity with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities, equipment and waste.

Application Process

• Complete the online application form (Employer/Activity history section).
• Submit a 750-word supporting statement outlining how your skills, experience and knowledge demonstrate suitability for the role.
• Longlisting may segregate candidates into 'meets all essential criteria', 'meets some essential criteria' and 'meets no essential criteria'. Only the first two groups proceed to shortlisting.
• Shortlisting will consider your level of education and relevant experience.
• Successful candidates are invited to a face‑to‑face interview (remote interview may be offered in exceptional circumstances). Behavioural and technical questions will be assessed.
• Applicants will be required to pass a disclosure and barring security check; full UK Security Clearance is mandatory.
• Late applications will not be considered.

Benefits

• Pay band minimum for the grade, with potential for flexibility based on existing salary.
• Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
• Cycle‑to‑work salary sacrifice scheme, season‑ticket advances and payroll giving.
• Retail discount and cashback site.
• Flexible working patterns (part‑time, job‑share, condensed hours).
• Generous maternity/paternity and adoption leave package.