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- Tasks: Join our team to support vital biomedical research and animal welfare.
- Company: Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell, a leader in genetics research.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and employee discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in groundbreaking research while working with animals.
- Qualifications: 5 GCSEs including science and experience in a lab or animal facility.
- Other info: Dynamic role with flexible hours and opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
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Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell provided pay range
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Talent Acquisition Manager at UK Research and Innovation – Science and Technology Facilities Council/National Quantum Computing Centre
Contract type: Permanent
Hours: Full time (36 hours per week) however part time hours (25 – 30 per week) will be considered
About Us
The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation park 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 disease.
About the Role
Join Our Specialist Animal Technician Team and Help Shape the Future of Biomedical Research
Are you an experienced and adaptable Animal Technician looking for your next challenge? We’re expanding our dynamic team and seeking a skilled professional to work across three units that support world-class research:
Germ-Free Units: Work in axenic and gnotobiotic environments using isolators and aseptic techniques
Immunocompromised Units: Follow high-barrier Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to support vulnerable animal models
Quarantine Unit: Play a key role in high-health surveillance and smooth barrier transitions
You will rotate across these areas, supporting husbandry and procedural work, ensuring welfare and compliance to regulatory standards.
This is a hands-on role involving routine and specialised husbandry, experimental procedures, and close interaction with researchers and facility teams. The post-holder will be instrumental in maintaining sterility, biosecurity, and animal welfare in high-containment environments.
You’ll be part of a supportive, skilled team contributing to critical biomedical discoveries. No two days are the same — and your work will make a real impact.
About You
You will need to hold/have:
- 5 GCSEs (grade C/4 or above), including science
- Experience of working in a laboratory or animal facility under SOPs
- Genuine care for animal welfare and high standards of ethics
- Ability to follow strict aseptic techniques and regulatory compliance
- Basic computer skills, including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages (for example, Excel)
Key Responsibilities
- Perform husbandry for germ-free, gnotobiotic, and immunocompromised colonies
- Operate and maintain germ-free isolators and individually ventilated cage (IVC) systems
- Conduct animal procedures (e.g., dosing, sampling, phenotype scoring) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)
- Monitor animal health and welfare; escalate and act on clinical observations
- Maintain meticulous digital records using a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and in line with SOPs
- Work flexibly across specialist units, including weekend and rota-based duties
- Contribute to quarantine operations and aseptic workflows
- Participate in audits, and health and sterility monitoring programmes
- Liaise with scientists and the wider animal care team to support studies
Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (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 a salary sacrifice cycle-to-work scheme. In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world-class medical research organisation.
How to Apply
If you are ready to take on this exciting role and be part of a team dedicated to ground-breaking research, we would love to hear from you. For full details and to apply: Specialist Animal Technician – MLC 2677 – Medical Research Council
Please quote reference MLC 2677.
The closing date for applications is 24th August 2025.
Seniority level
-
Seniority level
Not Applicable
Employment type
-
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Other
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Specialist Animal Technician employer: Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
Contact Detail:
Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Specialist Animal Technician
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at the Mary Lyon Centre on LinkedIn or other platforms. A friendly chat can give you insider info and might just put your application on the top of the pile.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge about animal welfare and the specific techniques mentioned in the job description. Show us that you're not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the role!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, especially those related to compliance and SOPs. We want to see how you handle real-life scenarios, so think of examples from your past experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at the MRC Harwell.
We think you need these skills to ace Specialist Animal Technician
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare: When writing your application, make sure to highlight your genuine care for animal welfare. We want to see that you understand the importance of ethics in this role and how it aligns with our mission at the Mary Lyon Centre.
Tailor Your Experience: Don’t just list your previous jobs; tailor your experience to match the responsibilities outlined in the job description. We’re looking for specific examples of your work in laboratory or animal facilities, especially under SOPs.
Be Meticulous with Details: Since this role involves maintaining meticulous digital records, ensure your application is free from typos and errors. We appreciate attention to detail, so take the time to proofread your application before hitting send!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward, and you’ll find all the details you need to submit a strong application for the Specialist Animal Technician role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of animal welfare, aseptic techniques, and the specific responsibilities outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with the types of environments you'll be working in, like germ-free and immunocompromised units, so you can speak confidently about your experience.
✨Show Your Passion
Demonstrate your genuine care for animal welfare during the interview. Share examples from your past experiences that highlight your commitment to high ethical standards and how you've ensured compliance with regulatory standards in previous roles.
✨Ask Smart Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewers about the team dynamics, the research projects at the Mary Lyon Centre, and how they support professional development. This shows you're genuinely interested in the role and eager to contribute to their mission.
✨Be Ready for Practical Scenarios
Since this role involves hands-on work, be prepared for practical scenarios or questions related to husbandry and animal procedures. Think through how you would handle specific situations, such as monitoring animal health or maintaining sterility, to showcase your problem-solving skills.
