AddressThe Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/ 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 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.
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.
Overall Purpose:
We are seeking two technicians to maintain the unit to the required standards of cleanliness. To process, prepare and deliver sterilised equipment and consumables, necessary for laboratories and animal (mice) holding areas.
Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain biosecurity/cleanliness/hygiene in laboratory and administration areas to the prescribed standards
- Maintain laboratory replenishment to satisfactory levels, including bottle filling, diet and bedding replacement and provision of sterilised equipment
- Operate automated and semi-automated machinery such as autoclave, robotic systems and tunnel washer, troubleshooting problems as they arise and seeking advice where appropriate
- Monitor consumables, ensuring that correct stock rotation and expiry dates are adhered to
- Reading and adhering to local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments
Working Relationships:
Part of a team working under the supervision of senior personnel.
Additional Information:
Must be able to work overtime on a rota basis.
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
Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between the post-holder and their manager.
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.
Education/Qualifications/Training Required:
Essential:
- Basic literacy and numeracy
- Computer literate
Desirable:
- Forklift truck licence
Previous Work Experience Required:
Essential:
- Previous work in a general cleaning role
- Previous work experience in a busy environment
Desirable:
- Experience of processing equipment for sterilisation
- Experience with automated machinery
- Management of consumables
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:
- Experience and understanding of the importance of maintaining a clean environment
- Experience of working with basic cleaning equipment
- Basic computer skills
Desirable:
- Experience of working to SOPs and risk assessments
- Ability to operate machinery, although training will be given
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:
Essential:
- Able to work as part of a team and independently, under general supervision of senior personnel
- Good communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Ability to lift 12.5kg bags of food and bedding
- Flexibility with regard to working in different areas
- Ability to work overtime to meet changing demands
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.
