Description
:
BRF Research Officer (Animal Technician)/Support Technician (Bank Staff)
Contract Type:
Pay rate: London Living Wage, paid on an hourly basis at £13.85
Summary
The Crick’s Biological Research Facility (BRF) is looking for individuals to join their team on a bank (casual) agreement. Full training will be given.
As a BRF Research Officer/Support Technician Bank Staff, you will be responsible for the delivery and provision of quality essential support to the team. Working under supervision, this role includes carrying out clearly defined animal husbandry tasks while adhering to legal frameworks, protocols and procedures.
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 ~50 Home Office Project Licences and has over 150 staff.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Crick is a place for collaboration, innovation and exploration across many disciplines. A space where the brightest minds can pursue big and bold ideas and discover answers to crucial scientific questions. We support them in a dynamic environment which fosters excellence with state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a creative and curious culture. We’ve removed traditional boundaries of departments, divisions and disciplines and instead have an open approach that supports every researcher. This gives us the freedom to take risks and carry out high-quality, pioneering research. Creating a space for discovery without boundaries helps us to turn our science into benefits for human health and the economy.
About the role…
Your key responsibilities include but not limited to:
Animal Husbandry and Welfare:
1. Providing excellent care, welfare and husbandry to laboratory animals including mice, rats, laboratory opossums, ferrets, zebrafish and frogs within specialist facilities
2. Providing daily animal husbandry support to animals within specialised barrier systems
3. Undertaking general cleaning and disinfection of equipment and areas
4. Gaining and maintaining knowledge of relevant legislation, for example, Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Logistics:
5. Using equipment in an appropriate and efficient manner. This includes, for example, cage washers, robotic cage processing systems and cage change stations
6. Unloading and checking deliveries
7. Checking stock levels within relevant BRF areas
8. Delivering animals, stock and consumables between delivery points and BRF units in a timely manner
9. Providing daily support to the BRF, for example, by preparing cages, racking, water pouches, laundry and consumable supplies
Health & Safety:
10. Working to defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
11. Gaining awareness and adhering to all Health and Safety Regulations
12. Maintaining the integrity of the barriers for areas working in and reporting breaches to the relevant people
Information Technology:
13. Maintaining accurate written and computer-based records
Team Work:
14. Working as part of a team to provide support to the BRF
15. Undertaking general cleaning and disinfection of areas including toilets and shower facilities
16. Assisting with some animal husbandry duties within specialised barrier systems
17. Taking part in any other duties that are appropriate to the role as directed
Communication:
18. Asking for information, guidance from relevant people to complete tasks
19. Reporting and communicating any issues/problems identified in the area to the relevant people
20. Conveying of information clearly to others within own team
KEY EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES
The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open and Collegial, in addition to the following:
Essential:
21. Educated to GCSE level or equivalent and possess a minimum of 5 GCSEs (including Maths and/or Science)
22. Respects and has empathy towards the care and use of animals in science
23. Is physically fit to meet the demands of the role as will include frequent carrying and lifting
24. Demonstrates contributing effectively to the work of a team
25. Is conscientious and reliable in undertaking the job and wants to do well
26. Ability to work under light supervision and organise own tasks on a daily basis
27. Good time keeping skills
28. Good written and communication skills
29. Proactive in the workplace
30. Ability to comply with Crick policy and procedures
Desirable:
31. Previous experience of working in this field
32. Has a desire to work in the laboratory animal technology field
Full training will be given
Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:
For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here:
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.
Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.
The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.
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