IS Licensed Technician

IS Licensed Technician

Full-Time No working from home possible
Charles River

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Ensure animal welfare and maintain colonies while adhering to strict regulations.
  • Company: Join Charles River, a leader in drug therapy development with a global impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy life assurance, bonuses, career development, and generous holiday allowance.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for training and career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare and contribute to groundbreaking research.
  • Qualifications: Degree level education and animal technician qualifications preferred.

For nearly 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we’ll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about.

Are you an experienced Licensed Technician? Do you have a passion for Animal Welfare? Charles River Laboratories are looking to recruit for a Licensed Technician to assist in the day-to-day welfare and maintenance of colonies in line with strict regulations as set out by Charles River and the Home Office. You’ll be an experienced Technician already, ideally with a Personal Home Office License (PIL) but training can be provided for the right candidate. This is a fully onsite role, based in Potters Bar; there will be expectations to join an on-call rota to work weekends and Bank Holidays.

Main duties/responsibilities:

  • Contribute to and monitor closely the welfare of all animals within each colony, recording clinical signs.
  • Water and feed the animal colonies.
  • Carry out routine husbandry and housekeeping i.e. clean the cages, the area and tools thoroughly and assist in isolator recycling following strict hygiene procedures.
  • Carry out weaning, sexing and identification, genotyping procedures.
  • Monitor and report on project production levels with Project Coordinators.
  • Prepare and pack orders at customers’ request and according to packing process.
  • Follow customer colony maintenance instructions accurately.
  • Record required data as per procedures.
  • Complete forms, cage cards and any other paperwork/data in a timely and accurate manner.
  • Provide cover for other members of the team as and when necessary.
  • Participate in training sessions as and when necessary and actively identify and utilise training opportunities.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement.
  • Contribute to the maintenance of an efficient Quality Management System.
  • Ensure that all Health and Safety regulations are adhered to, including correct wearing of PPE, liaising with the H&S representative where appropriate.
  • Ensure a safe and tidy work area.
  • Carry out other reasonable duties that may or may not be related to the job as requested by Management.
  • At all times adhere to the Company’s Equal Opportunities Policy in the planning and execution of their duties.

The above description defines the general nature and level of work to be performed and is not an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities.

Requirements and Profile:

Qualifications and Knowledge:

  • Essential: Education to degree level or equivalent, including Animal Technician level 2, other animal related qualifications eg IAT or diploma in Animal Management/Care.
  • Desirable: Good understanding of Home Office and accreditation body (eg AAALAC) guidelines. Home Office personal licensee training Modules A&B, or Home Office Personal License previously held.
  • Desirable: Knowledge and experience of Licensed procedures and previous experience within a similar husbandry/licensed role for biotech/pharma/other CRO.

Must have own means of transport or a reliable means of making own way to site.

Salary Range: £30,000 - £32,000/annum. Please note that the salary varies within the range based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, skills, education, certifications, and location.

Benefits: Life assurance, bonus, career development, training opportunities, free onsite parking, subsidised staff room, pay for participation on volunteer days, on-site team building, charity fundraising days, employee engagement programs.

Pension plan: Company contribution 5% - Employee 4%. After three years: Company contribution 9%.

Holidays: 26 days + 8 for Public holidays.

About Charles River: Charles River is an early-stage contract research organization (CRO). We have built upon our foundation of laboratory animal medicine and science to develop a diverse portfolio of discovery and safety assessment services, both Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and non-GLP, to support clients from target identification through preclinical development. Charles River also provides a suite of products and services to support our clients’ clinical laboratory testing needs and manufacturing activities. Utilizing this broad portfolio of products and services enables our clients to create a more flexible drug development model, which reduces their costs, enhances their productivity and effectiveness to increase speed to market.

With over 20,000 employees within 110 facilities in over 20 countries around the globe, we are strategically positioned to coordinate worldwide resources and apply multidisciplinary perspectives in resolving our client’s unique challenges. Our client base includes global pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology companies, government agencies and hospitals and academic institutions around the world.

At Charles River, we are passionate about our role in improving the quality of people’s lives. Our mission, our excellent science and our strong sense of purpose guide us in all that we do, and we approach each day with the knowledge that our work helps to improve the health and well-being of many across the globe.

At Charles River Laboratories, we recognize and recruit all talent. We are a company committed to fostering a sense of belonging and work daily in this direction.

IS Licensed Technician employer: Charles River

At Charles River, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to make a meaningful impact in drug discovery. Located in Portishead, our team enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including a generous bonus scheme and non-contributory pension, alongside ample opportunities for professional development and growth. Join us to lead scientific excellence while mentoring the next generation of scientists in a supportive environment dedicated to health and well-being.

Charles River

Contact Details:

Charles River Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land IS Licensed Technician

Get Involved in Local Research Communities

Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!

Leverage University Alumni Networks

If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like Charles River. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!

Show Off Your Projects

Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!

Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends

Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like Charles River!

We think you need these skills to ace IS Licensed Technician

Animal Welfare
Personal Home Office License (PIL)
Husbandry Procedures
Data Recording
Quality Management System
Health and Safety Regulations
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show Charles River that you have the hands-on skills they need.

Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at Charles River.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that Charles River does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.

Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.

How to prepare for a job interview at Charles River

Brush Up on Lab Techniques

Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at Charles River. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.

Know Your Bioinformatics Tools

Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.

Show Your Teamwork Skills

Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into Charles River's culture.

Research Recent Biotech Innovations

Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at Charles River. This shows your passion for the industry!