View Vacancy Phenotyping Technician - MLC 2529 Open Date 02/12/2024, 12:45 Close Date 17/12/2024, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Mary Lyon Centre Research Institute / Unit Information 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. UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org Band MRC - 5 Location Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire Salary £30,911 per annum Contract Type Permanent Job Type Technical & Scientific Professionals Full Time / Part Time Full Time Job Description We have an opportunity for a Phenotyping Technician to join our Phenotyping Core Team in the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC), working across several different research projects to provide high-quality technical procedures and research data. Our team provides a vast range of phenotyping services in collaboration with other wards and teams inside the facility. In recent years, we have enhanced our capabilities and expanded our capacity by adopting cutting-edge experimental procedures aligned with ongoing technological advancements in the field. We work with classical phenotyping devices that allow the monitoring of behavioural changes in mice (e.g., in areas such as metabolism, anxiety, memory, locomotion, and social interaction) and with more advanced procedures such as electrophysiology (e.g., electroencephalography, electromyography and electroretinography), in vivo imaging (e.g., ultrasound, X-ray, in vivo fluorescence and bioluminescence) and surgical techniques. Main Duties/Key Responsibilities: The post-holder is expected: To carry out regular phenotyping procedures (after comprehensive training), alone or with other team members, as requested daily. This will include a variety of procedures such as dosing, behavioural phenotyping, imaging, surgical procedures and dissections. To check the health and welfare of experimental mouse stocks and address their welfare needs To be involved in data analysis and data quality checks To work on troubleshooting and on the set-up of new devices and procedures To keep online records To be responsible for some devices/procedures within the unit and to liaise with other groups or external manufacturers as needed To read and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments To cover animal husbandry work when necessary, including working weekends on a rota basis Working Relationships: The post-holder will be required to work alone and as part of a team. Daily interactions are also expected with members of other teams. They will be line managed by the Phenotyping Manager under the Head of the Phenotyping Core team. Routine interaction with every level of seniority is expected. Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Required: Essential: Graduate degree in a scientific subject Desirable: Home Office Personal Licence holder Previous Work Experience Required: Essential: Experience of working in a research environment Desirable: Experience of in vivo work, or other laboratory-based experience Knowledge and Experience: Essential: Good IT literacy is required, as well as the ability to work with data Experience in working alone and as part of a team Genuine interest in the welfare of animals Desirable: Troubleshooting experience Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities: Essential: Positive attitude and the ability to constructively interact with other people at every level of seniority Flexibility to adapt to daily changes and the ability to make quick decisions are essential Enthusiastic, meticulous and patient Desirable: Problem solving Further Information The Medical Research Council (MRC) is a great place to work and progress your career. The MRC encourages the integration of clinical and discovery research to elucidate both disease processes and potential new therapies. The MLC provides vital scientific support for the UK biomedical community and focuses on preclinical research using mouse models, which supports clinical research and therapy discovery. 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. The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council. In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As "Disability Confident" employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and 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.