Animal Care Specialist

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Animal Care Specialist to join our team at the Medical Research Council. The successful candidate will be responsible for the daily care and maintenance of research mice within individually ventilated caging systems (IVCs).

Key Responsibilities:

• Daily welfare observations using good attention to detail to check animal numbers and caging information and to report any abnormalities as appropriate
• Regular observations of cage cleanliness and changing cage bases to ensure suitable environments for the animals
• Ensure the animals have access to food, water and environmental enrichment
• Maintain the animal rooms to a high standard of hygiene, for example; damp-dusting the surfaces, vacuuming and mopping the floors
• Liaise closely with scientific staff, whose animals you are responsible for
• Work closely to protocols and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Ensure that Home Office Compliance is met in all areas at all times
• Maintain detailed, accurate records of all activities, using both electronic and manual methods

Working Relationships:

The successful candidate will be a member of a small team (normally 3-5 people), supervised by a senior technician under the overall management of a facility manager.

Additional Information:

The role involves working overtime for one weekend (2 sessions) every month, for which overtime and travel costs will be paid according to UKRI-MRC rates. There are opportunities to work more overtime on weekends and Bank Holidays via a volunteering system.

This job is based on the Babraham Research Campus, with occasional travel to our main lab on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus.

Person Specification:

Education / Qualifications / Training Required:

Essential: An interest in obtaining IAT Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science & Technology or equivalent

Desirable: GCSEs or equivalent, Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science & Technology or equivalent, Level 2 or 3 Animal Care qualification, or a relevant scientific degree

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential: Experience of caring for animals and working as part of a team

Desirable: Experience of working as an animal technician, barriered facilities, including isolation systems individually ventilated cages (IVCs), and flexible film isolators, working knowledge of Home Office regulations, knowledge of the 3Rs, experience of following written processes and working to strict guidelines, and experience of using Mouse Colony Management Systems or other similar databases

Knowledge and Experience:

Creativity and Initiative:

Essential: Can demonstrate good attention to detail

Independent Working:

Essential: Demonstrate an ability to work independently and follow instruction, acts on own initiative, but also has the ability to know when to seek advice

Verbal and Written Communication Skills:

Essential: Strong written and verbal communication skills, experience of good record keeping, both electronically and manually

Desirable: Experience of communicating with researchers

Personal Skills / Behaviours / Qualities:

Essential: A pro-active approach demonstrating commitment to animal welfare with a desire for constant improvement, experience of maintaining high levels of hygiene to ensure a suitable environment, understands the routine nature of animal care, excellent time management and sound interpersonal skills, and commitment to undertake standard training programs