Van Driver

The purpose of this position is to support the on-going animal-based research located within MRC Laboratory animal facilities, which include the Ares Building on the Babraham Research Campus and the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. Primarily providing transport between the facilities, whilst maintaining the welfare of animals in transit.

**Main duties/ Key responsibilities**:

- Driving a van in order to transport animals, researchers, samples and other items, primarily between Cambridge based research facilities, whilst ensuring their smooth transition, safety and welfare, with due regard to the time sensitive nature of the work.
- Unloading and loading samples, animals and mail and delivering to the appropriate drop off points.
- Accurate record keeping and management of the van diary.
- Responsibility for maintaining general stocks within the LMB facilities.
- On occasions, you may be called upon to assist the animal technicians with non-specialized tasks such as maintaining the high standard of cleanliness within the LMB unit.
- Respond to problems as they arise, seeking advice where appropriate.
- Ensure faulty/damaged equipment is reported urgently to effect rapid replacement/repair.
- Ensure high standards of animal welfare are maintained.
- Organise and prioritise your own workload effectively.
- Any other appropriate duties as required.

**Working relationships**:
You will be a member of a small team, under the overall management of the Facility Manager, based at the Ares building or the LMB.

You will primarily work alongside Biological Services Group colleagues and scientific researchers as well as with external contacts e.g. other research institutes.

You will be required to work effectively in a team as well as independently, form good professional working relationships and follow instruction.

**Additional information**:
Basic training in the legal requirements associated with working with research animals, and animal handling will be provided.
- Person Specification
- **Education / qualifications / training required**:

- Essential:_ Full driving licence.
- Desirable:_
- Minimum of 5 GCSE’s grades A-C or equivalent relevant experience.
- Animal care qualifications.

**Previous work experience required**:

- Essential:_
- Ability to conduct basic vehicle checks to ensure that oil levels, tyre pressures and fuel levels are acceptable.
- The ability to drive carefully, responsibly, safely and in accordance to road traffic legislation.
- Experience of working as part of a team.
- Desirable:_
- Experience of driving a small van and making deliveries whilst adhering to strict timescales.
- Knowledge of the local area.
- Previous experience of caring for or working with animals.

**Knowledge and experience**:

- Must be able to plan and schedule jobs within specific timeframes
- Ability to work independently, problem solve and prioritise daily work schedule.
- Good verbal and written communication skills

**Personal skills / behaviours / qualities**:

- Ability to adhere to the legislation regarding transportation of research animals.
- Excellent time management and good interpersonal skills.
- Be responsible, conscientious and hard-working.
- Have empathy with animals.
- Must be able to demonstrate a ‘can-do’ approach.
- Be capable and flexible to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good organisational skills.
- A reasonable level of fitness is required as manual handling of boxes containing mouse cages will form a daily part of the role.
- 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 salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme, as well as the chance to put the MRC and UKRI on your CV in the future.