Research Technician

The role

This post is to work on a new BBSRC research grant ‘Individual differences in affective processing and implications for animal welfare: a reaction norm approach’ that will investigate the existence of trait or personality differences in decision-making and their links to animal welfare in laboratory rats. Working with the grant’s Postdoctoral Research Associate and leadership team, you will collect and collate data on rat behaviour, decision-making and welfare, keep accurate records of empirical work and any events that might affect results, assist with day-to-day organisation of the project, and with preparation, presentation and reporting of results, and help with the organisation of a workshop for stakeholders and other researchers. You will gain experience of laboratory animal behaviour and welfare research and associated techniques, team working, and being part of a group working at the forefront of research into animal affect, decision-making and welfare.

The post will be based at Bristol Veterinary School on the University of Bristol’s Langford campus and will run from 1 April 2024 to 28 Feb 2027.

What will you be doing?

With training / support from the project PDRAs and leadership team, the postholder will be responsible for: checking, setting-up and taking down equipment for each data collection phase; running behavioural experiments, including handling rats and acclimatising them to test conditions; collecting behavioural data and non-invasive physiological samples; preparing physiological samples for analysis; assisting with data entry, collation, and preparation for analysis; assisting with purchasing relevant to the project; assisting with organisation of a workshop at the end of the grant; helping to ensure compliance with relevant Health & Safety, University, funder, and Home Office rules and regulations.

You should apply if

You should have previous experience of working in animal behaviour / welfare science, an understanding of scientific methods, an ability to collect, collate and store data accurately and to use Microsoft Excel and statistical software to produce descriptive summaries and basic analyses of data, good animal handling skills, good communication skills, and the ability to work as part of a team and, with training, independently.

Additional information

Contract type: Open ended with fixed term funding until 28/02/2027

Work pattern: Full-time

School/Unit: Bristol Veterinary School,Langford House, Langford, Bristol, BS40 5DU

Shift pattern: 35 hours per week

This advert will close at 23:59 GMT on 24/03/2024

For informal queries please contact: Prof Mike Mendl ([email protected] )

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy  to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

Available documents