Domestic Services Supervisor

Open Date

26/11/2025, 08:00

Close Date

31/12/2025, 23:55

Research Institute

MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Research Institute / Unit Information

The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.

There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.

The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation

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

Band

MRC - 5

Location

Cambridge

Salary

£30,512 - £33,845 per annum

Contract Type

Permanent

Job Type

Administration & Management

Full Time / Part Time

Full Time

Job Description

Overall purpose:

As Domestic Services Supervisor, you will provide day-to-day supervision, direction, guidance and support for the large team (20+ staff) of Domestic Services Assistants, including Hazardous Waste Technicians, within the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) to ensure they carry out their roles effectively and provide an excellent cleaning and waste disposal service.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

• Assist the Domestic Services Manager in ensuring a high quality of service output from the team.
• Carry out quality-control monitoring of all areas on a rolling basis, providing feedback, suggesting improvements and re-training staff where necessary.
• Plan rotas and allocate work so that all cleaning requirements are covered, especially when unexpected absences occur.
• Work hands-on when required, e.g. during holiday, sickness or unexpected absence or during periods of increased cleaning requirements.
• Ensure adequate stocks of cleaning consumables are maintained in the central store and within localised cleaning cupboards, placing and tracking orders as required.
• Assist in the resolution of enquiries and problems from building users, as and when they occur.
• Plan, organise and carry-out training for new staff members and existing employees. This includes providing a full induction as well as giving practical demonstrations of methods, standards required and use of cleaning equipment.
• Ensure staff adherence to policy, procedures and safe working practices.
• Assist the Domestic Services Manager with staff communication, welfare and support, mentoring and development, escalating any concerns or issues to the Domestic Services Manager in a timely manner.
• Organise and supervise the rolling programme of floor scrubbing, buffing and cleaning of carpets.
• Supervise any rolling programme of deep cleans organised by the Domestic Services Manager.
• Supervise the weekly in-house laundering of lab coats.
• Deputise for the Domestic Services Manager in their absence.

Working relationships:

• You will report to the Domestic Services Manager, communicating with them daily to ensure efficient and effective collaboration.
• You will work closely with the other Domestic Services Supervisor to ensure all work is covered appropriately.
• You will supervise the Domestic Service Assistants and Hazardous Waste Team.
• You will be required to interact with scientific and support staff at all levels.

Person Specification

Education / qualifications / training required:

Essential:

• NVQ Level 2 in Cleaning and Support Services, or equivalent qualification or experience.

Desirable:

• NVQ Level 3 in Cleaning and Support Services, or equivalent qualification or experience.
• IOSH Managing Safely or other similar safety certification.

Previous work experience required:

Essential:

• Experience in a supervisory cleaning role.
• Proven experience of all major cleaning processes.
• Proven knowledge of safe use of various types of cleaning machinery.

Desirable:

• Experience of working in a laboratory, research or hospital environment.

Knowledge and experience:

Essential:

• Experience in supervising and managing a large team.
• A good knowledge of Health & Safety regulations and legislation, including COSHH, within the domestic services environment.
• Experience of implementing and adhering to standards and procedures.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel and previous use of electronic ordering systems.
• Good office/administrative skills.
• Experience of delivering training.

Desirable:

• Experience in preparing COSHH assessments, SOPs and risk assessments.
• A sound knowledge of safe manual handling.

Personal skills / behaviours / qualities:

Essential:

• Ability to motivate and encourage staff to work efficiently and achieve a high standard of work.
• Ability to plan and prioritise the work of a team and individuals.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to team members.
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively on your own with minimal supervision, as well as being adaptable to adjust priorities and cover the work that is required.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems independently whilst also recognising when to escalate to a manager.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Good leadership skills.
• Ability to work under pressure but constructively, collaboratively and productively with others.
• A high level of discretion and confidentially.
• Desire to attend in-house training and advance in learning and abilities.

Further Information

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.

The above lists are not exhaustive, and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.

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.

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.