Phenotyping Technician - MLC 2412

To work in the MLC team and provide high-quality husbandry and experimental procedures to fulfil scientific needs. This includes working under Home Office licensing (The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, amended 2012) to carry out procedures, and meticulous record keeping of all animal-related work. Carrying out complex procedures including imaging, blood sampling, in-vivo phenotyping assays, data collection and quality control.,

• Carry out in-vivo phenotyping assays; for example, taking blood samples, imaging under general anaesthesia and video recording in different environments


• Checking the health and welfare of experimental mouse stocks and addressing the welfare needs


• Collating, recording and uploading data into LIMS databases, spreadsheets and programs appropriate for data capture


• Downloading, collating and performing critical quality-control analysis on phenotyping data


• Computerised record keeping


• Reading and adhering to SOPs and risk assessments


• Day-to-day husbandry, cage changing, daily checks and environmental monitoring when necessary


Working Relationships:

Member of a team working under supervision of a line manager. Liaise with other teams including MLC maintenance, ward teams, necropsy and teams of researchers.


• 5 GCSEs at grade C or above


• Background in genetics or biology


Desirable:

• Institute of Animal Technology level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology


• Home Office licence


Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Experience of working in a laboratory environment, including working to standard operating procedures and risk assessments


Desirable:

• Experience of surgery and/or anaesthesia induction and maintenance


• Experience of working with laboratory animals


• Experience in assessing and treating health concerns in animals


• Experience in colony management of genetically altered mice


Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals


• Basic computer skills, including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages, such as Excel


Desirable:

• Experience of handling datasets, visualising and checking for quality


• Ability to train other members of staff


Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Excellent attention to detail


• Ability to work as part of a team or autonomously when required


• Self-motivated and positive influence on other team members
  
  The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation campus 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 diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration.
  
  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


All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.
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.

Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We welcome applications from all sections of the community irrespective of gender, race, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, disability or age. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food security, and bioscience for health which includes research on animals, genetic modification and stem cell research. Whilst you may not have direct involvement in this type of research, you should consider whether this conflicts with your personal values or beliefs.

We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.