Animal Technician

**Open Date**
- 01/05/2024, 13:00

**Close Date**
- 19/05/2024, 23:55
- Research Institute- MRC Centre for Macaques-
- Research Institute / Unit InformationThe Medical Research Council Centre for Macaques is a primate breeding unit established in 2003 to house and breed rhesus macaques, funded by the MRC with support from the Wellcome Trust, and Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Non-human primates continue to be used in some areas of research where there are no alternative approaches. Macaques are non-human primates which have similarities to humans in their vision, central nervous system and immunology and reproductive system. The monkeys are used in basic and applied research within the academic sector in the UK, funded by the major grant-giving bodies. The unit houses about 250 animals including breeding stock and youngsters. The breeding programme is planned so that supply and demand are matched, to prevent in-breeding and to ensure there is no need to import animals.- Band- MRC - 6- Location- Salisbury- Salary- £25, 596 - £26,093 per annum, dependent on skills and experience- Contract Type- Permanent- Job Type- Technical & Scientific Professionals- Full Time / Part Time- Full Time- Job Description**Overall Purpose**:
To work with scientific researchers in order to look after the health and welfare of a breeding colony of rhesus macaques. This work includes daily husbandry duties such as cleaning and feeding, as well as maintaining accurate records. All work is governed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act through the Home Office.

**Main Duties/Key Responsibilities**:

- Checking the health and welfare of the animals
- Addressing welfare needs including habituation and training of animals
- Maintaining cleanliness in the animal rooms
- Record keeping
- Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments

**Working Relationships**:
Member of a team working under supervision of senior personnel.

**Additional Information**:
Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements.
- Person Specification**Education/Qualifications/Training Required**:

- Essential:_
- Five GCSEs at grade C or above
- Desirable:_
- Computer literacy

**Previous Work Experience Required**:

- Essential: _
- Working and adhering to instructions/protocols/processes
- Desirable:_
- Basic animal husbandry

**Knowledge and Experience**:

- Essential:_
- Good communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
- Basic computer skills
- Desirable:_
- Experience of working to SOPs
- Experience of computerised record keeping
- Ideally, experience of working as part of a team

**Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities**:

- Essential: _
- The applicant should be able to work as part of a team and work under the supervision of senior personnel
- Further InformationThe post-holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting (Disclosure and Barring Service) required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

You may still be considered if, for example:

- You’ve been serving overseas with HM Forces or in some other official capacity as a representative of HM Government
- You were studying abroad
- You were living overseas with a parent

**Equality & Diversity**:
The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes, and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.

**Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements**:
The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

- Code of Conduct
- Equality and Diversity policy
- Health and Safety policy
- Data Protection and Security policy

All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively, and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
- The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions.The MRC is a unique working environment where our researchers are rewarded by world class innovation and collaboration opportunities that the MRC name brings. The MRC is an excellent place to develop yourself further and a range of training & development opportunities will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.
- Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of 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