Animal Technician

Animal Technician

Grade EO (National) - £25,976 to £30,264

UKHSA Porton Down

Permanent Contract

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.

We have an exciting opportunity to join one of the two unique non-human primate (NHP) breeding colony facilities based within the High Containment and Biological Services. The Biological Services Group provides high containment in-vivo research services, with the primary aim of protecting the UK public from a range of health risks. Ongoing areas of work include vaccine batch release testing, influenza, COVID-19, tuberculosis, anthrax, and emerging human pathogens.

As an experienced Animal Technician, you will be providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for the NHPs. You will be guiding routine work, overseeing junior staff and supporting senior staff members in regulated work. Working with the wider colonies team, you will be maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare ensuring the NHPs and facilities are Home Office compliant. This role is primarily a physical role, ensuring the environment is clean and nutritional requirements for the NHPs are fulfilled. Weekend work (paid as overtime) is on a rota and will be introduced after a period of induction to the facility

UKHSA Porton Down - On-Site

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern - Full Time - 37.5 hours per week

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Work with the colony team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all animals.
• To recognize, report and record ill health and welfare issues in Macaca species and be responsible for the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) duties, documenting and communicating issues to relevant team members, e.g., line manager, NACWO or NVS.

• As a Personal Licence (PIL) holder, prepare for, and contribute to, study work completed under Home Office Licence, including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions. Complete necessary documentation associated with study work completed.
• To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade and comply with UKHSA policies and procedures.

• Support with basic necropsy examination and removal of specified tissues

• Maintain and regularly update written records and computer databases containing breeding records and duties performed, within specific guidelines. Regular submission of breeding data for ethical review.
• Assist with the supervision of junior staff and specific designated areas such as the post-mortem room, prep-room, surgical procedures room, X-ray processing room, sample receipt and storage areas, (the post holder takes full responsibility of areas in the absence of the Supervisor).
• Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
• Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential 'out of hours’ scoring of animals in study.
• Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix, in discussion with your line manager and maintain own training record. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, defra and MHRA.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

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