At a Glance
- Tasks: Care for rhesus macaques, ensuring their health and welfare while supporting scientific research.
- Company: Join the MRC Harwell team at a leading research centre.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Work in a supportive team environment with a focus on equality and diversity.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in animal welfare and contribute to groundbreaking research.
- Qualifications: Five GCSEs at grade C or above; basic animal care knowledge is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 27406 - 27937 £ per year.
Centre for Macaques, MRC Harwell
Salary: £27,406 - £27,937 per annum
Band: MRC-6a S2
Contract type: Fixed term, ending 31 March 2028
Hours: Full time (36 hours)
Location: Porton Down, Salisbury, on-site
Closing date: Monday 01 June 2026
Overall Purpose: To work with scientific researchers in order to look after the health and welfare of a breeding colony of rhesus macaques. This work includes daily husbandry duties such as cleaning and feeding, as well as maintaining accurate records. All work is governed by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act through the Home Office.
Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:
- Checking the health and welfare of the animals
- Addressing welfare needs including habituation and training of animals
- Maintaining cleanliness in the animal rooms
- Record keeping
- Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments
Working Relationships: Member of a team working under supervision of senior personnel.
Additional Information: Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements.
Person Requirements
Education/Qualifications/Training Required:
- Essential: Five GCSEs at grade C or above
- Desirable: Computer literacy
Previous Work Experience Required:
- Essential: Working and adhering to instructions/protocols/processes
- Desirable: Basic animal husbandry
Knowledge and Experience:
- Essential: Good communication skills, Attention to detail, Genuine interest in the welfare of animals, Basic computer skills
- Desirable: Experience of working to SOPs, Experience of computerised record keeping, Ideally, experience of working as part of a team
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:
- Essential: The applicant should be able to work as part of a team and work under the supervision of senior personnel
Equality & Diversity: The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.
Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements: The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s: Code of Conduct, Equality and Diversity policy, Health and Safety policy, Data Protection and Security policy. The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
Animal Technician in Salisbury employer: UKRI
Contact Detail:
UKRI Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Animal Technician in Salisbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the animal care field, especially those who work at MRC Harwell. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insights that might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion for animal welfare! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share your genuine interest in animal care and any relevant experiences. It’s all about making that personal connection.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of SOPs and animal husbandry. We want you to feel confident and ready to discuss how you can contribute to the team at MRC Harwell.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and working with those adorable macaques!
We think you need these skills to ace Animal Technician in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Animal Welfare: When writing your application, let us see your genuine interest in animal welfare shine through. Share any relevant experiences or motivations that drive you to work with animals, especially in a research setting.
Be Detail-Oriented: Since attention to detail is key in this role, make sure your application reflects that. Double-check for any typos or errors, and ensure your experience aligns with the responsibilities listed in the job description.
Highlight Teamwork Skills: We value collaboration, so don’t forget to mention your ability to work as part of a team. Include examples of how you've successfully worked with others in previous roles or projects.
Apply Through Our Website: To make sure your application gets to us directly, apply through our website. It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details and can consider you for the role!
How to prepare for a job interview at UKRI
✨Know Your Animal Welfare Basics
Brush up on your knowledge of animal husbandry and welfare, especially regarding rhesus macaques. Be prepared to discuss how you would address their health and welfare needs, as this will show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SOPs
Since the job involves adhering to standard operating procedures, make sure you understand what SOPs are and how they apply to animal care. You might even want to mention any relevant experience you have with following protocols during the interview.
✨Highlight Teamwork Skills
This position requires working as part of a team under supervision. Think of examples from your past experiences where you successfully collaborated with others, and be ready to share these stories to demonstrate your ability to work well in a team environment.
✨Prepare Questions for Them
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, the specific duties you'll be handling, or how they ensure the welfare of the animals. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the role is right for you.