BRF Research Officers (Animal Technician)/Support Technicians (Bank Staff)

BRF Research Officers (Animal Technician)/Support Technicians (Bank Staff)

Salary: London Living Wage, paid on an hourly basis at £11.05

Reports to: BRF Support Manager and/or BRF Unit Manager(s)

These are temporary positions on a bank (casual) agreement

This advert has no end date, but will close once all of the available positions are filled.

Summary

The Crick’s Biological Research Facility (BRF) is looking for 13 individuals to join their team on a bank (casual) agreement. Full training will be given. The BRF Research Officer/Support Technician Bank Staff are responsible for the delivery and provision of quality essential support to the team. Working under supervision, this role includes carrying out clearly defined animal husbandry tasks while adhering to legal frameworks, protocols and procedures.

The BRF manages several multidisciplinary animal facilities housing rodents, zebrafish, Xenopus spp., laboratory opossums and ferrets, with associated specialist equipment and areas. It provides a service to ~550 Personal Licensees using ~50 Home Office Project Licences and has over 150 staff.

Key Responsibilities

These include but are not limited to;

Animal Husbandry and Welfare:

• Providing excellent care, welfare and husbandry to laboratory animals
• Providing daily animal husbandry support to animals within specialised barrier systems
• Undertaking general cleaning and disinfection of equipment and areas
• Gaining and maintaining knowledge of relevant legislation, for example, Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Logistics:

• Using equipment in an appropriate and efficient manner. This includes, for example, cage washers, robotic cage processing systems and cage change stations
• Unloading and checking deliveries
• Checking stock levels within relevant BRF areas
• Delivering animals, stock and consumables between delivery points and BRF units in a timely manner
• Providing daily support to the BRF, for example, by preparing cages, racking, water pouches, laundry and consumable supplies

Health & Safety:

• Working to defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Gaining awareness and adhering to all Health and Safety Regulations
• Maintaining the integrity of the barriers for areas working in and reporting breaches to the relevant people

Information Technology:

• Maintaining accurate written and computer-based records

Team Work:

• Working as part of a team to provide support to the BRF
• Undertaking general cleaning and disinfection of areas including toilets and shower facilities
• Assisting with some animal husbandry duties within specialised barrier systems
• Taking part in any other duties that are appropriate to the role as directed

Communication:

• Asking for information, guidance from relevant people to complete tasks
• Reporting and communicating any issues/problems identified in the area to the relevant people
• Conveying of information clearly to others within own team

Key Experience and Competencies

Full training will be given

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Imaginative, Open, Dynamic and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential:

• Qualification, experience and competencies:
• Possesses basic numeracy and literacy skills
• GCSE’s, or equivalent, in Maths and English.
• Respects and has empathy towards the care and use of animals in science
• Is physically fit to meet the demands of the role as will include frequent carrying and lifting
• Demonstrates contributing effectively to the work of a team
• Is conscientious and reliable in undertaking the job and wants to do well
• Ability to work under light supervision and organise own tasks on a daily basis
• Good time keeping skills
• Good written and communication skills
• Proactive in the workplace
• Ability to comply with Crick policy and procedures

Desirable:

• Qualification, experience and competencies:
• Previous experience of working in this field