BRF Research Officer (Animal Technician)

This role will carry out a range of animal husbandry duties and scientific support. This post will report directly to a BRF Senior Research Scientist and/or BRF Research Scientist. All authorised scientific procedures using living animals are carried out under the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The BRF Research Officer will develop their knowledge of the requirements of the Act and its operation,
Deadline for applications has passed.

Key information

Job reference
R1073
Salary
From £25,750, subject to skills and experience
Applications closed
30 April 2023, 23:59 BST
Hours per week
36 (full time)
Posted 04 April 2023
Background texture taken from the lab imagery.

BRF Research Officer (Animal Technician)

Reports to: BRF Unit Manager(s)

This is a full time, permanent position on Crick Terms and Conditions of Employment.

About us

The Francis Crick Institute is a biomedical discovery institute dedicated to understanding the fundamental biology underlying health and disease. Its work is helping to understand why disease develops and to translate discoveries into new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, infections, and neurodegenerative diseases.

An independent organisation, its founding partners are the Medical Research Council (MRC), Cancer Research UK, Wellcome, UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and King’s College London.

The Crick was formed in 2015, and in 2016 it moved into a brand new state-of-the-art building in central London which brings together 1500 scientists and support staff working collaboratively across disciplines, making it the biggest biomedical research facility under a single roof in Europe.

The Francis Crick Institute is world-class with a strong national role. Its distinctive vision for excellence includes commitments to collaboration; developing emerging talent and exporting it the rest of the UK; public engagement; and helping turn discoveries into treatments as quickly as possible to improve lives and strengthen the economy.

Summary

Interested in scientific research? Enjoy practical work and have an empathy with animals? If yes, then the role of an animal technician may be perfect for you.

At the Francis Crick Institute, we offer training and support to start a rewarding career where you can make a positive difference to both research and animal welfare.

We are looking for passionate, self-motivated and enthusiastic team players to take on the role of an animal technician. This is a vital role within our team and organisation, contributing to our medical research, vision and excellence in science.

BRF Research Officers are essential to the success of the Francis Crick Institute.

The BRF manages several multidisciplinary animal facilities housing rodents, zebrafish, Xenopus spp., laboratory opossums and ferrets, with associated specialist equipment and areas. It provides a service to ~550 Personal Licensees using ~55 Home Office Project Licences and has over 150 staff.

The BRF department brings together a number of highly skilled and specialised individuals who contribute to the culture of care of animals in a laboratory environment.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

  • To provide excellent care, welfare and husbandry to laboratory animals including mice, rats, laboratory opossums, ferrets, zebrafish and frogs within specialist facilities
  • To comply with all relevant legislation, for example, Animals (Scientific Procedures Act)1986 and Health and Safety Regulations
  • To work within defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
  • To maintain accurate written and computer based records
  • To perform culling and to carry out basic organ dissections
  • To apply and promote the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
  • To undertake general cleaning and disinfection of equipment and areas

Key experience and competencies

Full training will be given and post holders will be expected to participate in continuing professional development

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: bold, imaginative, open, dynamic and collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competencies:

  • Educated to GCSE level or equivalent and possess a minimum of 5 GCSEs (including Maths and/or Science)
  • Respects and has empathy towards the care and use of animals in science
  • Can demonstrate contributing effectively to the work of a team
  • Has a desire to work in the laboratory animal technology field
  • Possesses good time management and organisational skills
  • Possesses good observational and attention to detail skills
  • Possesses clear and effective written and oral communication skills
  • Proven accurate record keeping skills
  • Willing to participate regularly in essential animal care overtime, weekends and public holidays (including Christmas day)
  • Is fit to meet the demands of the role, this will include frequent carrying and lifting
  • Is computer literate
  • Is conscientious and reliable

Desirable

Qualifications, experience and competencies:

  • Previous experience in the laboratory animal technology field
  • Qualifications in Animal Technology
  • Holding a Home Office Personal Licence (PIL A, B, L&E1)