Current jobs related to Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator - Didcot - UK Research and Innovation

View Vacancy -- Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator - MLC 2758 Open Date 15/12/2025, 11:50 Close Date 11/01/2026, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Mary Lyon Centre As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y Research Institute / Unit Information The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation campus in Oxfordshire and is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of genetics research. As the hub of the new National Mouse Genetics Network, the specialist facilities and capabilities of the MLC support a number of research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC - 5 Location Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire Salary £30,512 per annum, pro rata Contract Type Permanent Job Type Technical & Scientific Professionals Full Time / Part Time Part Time Hours per week 25 Job Description Overall purpose: The Biological Samples Shipping Coordinator role will support Harwell's standing as a national/international centre for mouse resources. Our clients include an extensive network of UK collaborators and overseas clients. The primary function of this role will be to coordinate the exportation of biological materials to the scientific community around the world. The post-holder will work within the Laboratory Services team and will work closely with other departments to maximise operational efficiency. Experience within an outward-facing environment, customer service or administration role would be ideal. This role will suit a person who has an aptitude to learn and the passion to grow, as full training and support will be provided. The post-holder will need to be a team player, customer focused, possess excellent communication skills, and have a keen eye for detail.Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: Working within a team environment at the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC), Harwell, the post-holder's principal responsibility will be to support the processes involved in shipping biological samples from MRC Harwell. Examples of the type of activity this may involve are:Physically locating and packing biological samples before shipment (including packaging on dry ice and liquid nitrogen)Working with other members of staff dedicated to dissemination of resources and assisting them as and when necessaryLiaising with investigators within the MRC and other universities/institutes to coordinate the dissemination of biological samplesVerifying the details of shipments being sent outBuilding relationships and liaising with courier companies to ensure the safe delivery of shipmentsEnsuring that the quality and accuracy of our delivery services are maintainedOther inventory management tasksWorking Relationships: The post-holder will report directly to the Head of Laboratory Services and will be expected to develop and maintain good working relationships with other departments, as well as scientific staff at all levels, to optimise information flow and understanding of all requirements. The post-holder will also need to independently develop professional working relationships with clients and shipping organisations.Other Information:The post-holder is expected to play an active role in improving the effectivity and efficiency of biological sampling management and coordinating the exchange of resources between MRC Harwell and the wider scientific community. This post is suited to someone who is a committed team player and who is flexible and happy to embrace work at all levels. They should also be prepared to interact with a wide variety of people to bring projects to a successful conclusion within the required timeframe.Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Required: Essential: GCSE maths and English Desirable: HNC or equivalent in a science subjectPrevious Work Experience Required: Essential: Previous experience in an environment involving a wide range of outward-facing activities and/or administrative tasks Desirable: Experience of working in a biological environment in which goods and services are exchanged within an academic or commercial organisationKnowledge and Experience: Essential: Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-throughput service roleAbility to work within a multi-disciplinary teamAbility to understand/use IT packages and databases at an Intermediate level Desirable: Experience in the importation/exportation of biological or other materialsKnowledge of shipping regulations by land, air and sea or the willingness to attend trainingExperience of using a laboratory Information Management System (LIMS)Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities: Essential: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (verbal and written)Self-motivated, with good time-management skillsAbility to prioritise tasks efficientlyCan apply imagination and independent thinking to a variety of challengesGood attention to detailAbility to work independently and use initiative to resolve problemsCommitment to providing good customer service Desirable: A proven ability to work to tight deadlines within a busy environmentAbility to deal with a wide range of people from different disciplines and at various levels in an organisation Further Information 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 ConductEquality and Diversity policyHealth and Safety policyData Protection and Security policy The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs. We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.