Deputy Manager And Nacwo

We have a fantastic opportunity for a Deputy Manager and NACWO to join an established research facility in the South West overseeing the day-to-day management of a biomedical services unit. In your role you will manage a small team of staff in a rodent facility, working closely with the Senior BSU Manager to manage projects and ensuring an excellent culture of care. This is a hands-on role within the team to provide training and good team morale, as well as assisting with experimental procedures and animal husbandry.

The role holder will hold the position of Named Animal Welfare Care Officer (NACWO) and in so doing will ensure that the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 are met and that the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained at all times.

Basic Requirements:

• Qualification in a relevant science, technical or research subject
• Institute of Animal Technology qualification level 3 or above is desirable
• Current or previous holder of a Home Office Personal Licence
• Experience of working in a rodent BSU facility
• Managing transgenic colonies is advantageous
• NACWO qualification or willingness to work towards NACWO qualification
• Excellent knowledge in the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
• Excellent knowledge of rodent husbandry
• Able to train, guide, and develop new users and members
• Plan, prioritise, and organise work and have a high level of communication skills

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with the Senior BSU Manager/ Head of Biological Services to help ensure that the University is always fully compliant with ASPA and that there is an excellent culture of care within the facilities
• Actively using personal license under Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 including transgenic breeding, basic anaesthesia/ surgery and procedures (with training as required)
• Maintenance and coordination of breeding colonies with Licence Holders (PPL/ PIL), setting up breeding pairs, sexing and weaning animals and monitoring pregnancies
• Supporting the set up and maintenance of behavioural research equipment
• Line manage and train technical staff to ensure:
  • Good animal care practices are always adhered to
  • Maintenance of breeding colonies and meticulous unit records of rodent breeding programmes
  • Excellent housekeeping, storage, and equipment maintenance
• Be an active member of the University’s AWERB and Named Persons group and attend BSU and / or other User meetings where appropriate.
• Organise and/or participate in pre-study meetings with Users in the design, scheduling and supporting (i.e. the methods of planning) of research experiments
• Take responsibility for ensuring that appropriate COSHH, risk assessments, standard operating procedures and local rules are developed, implemented and regularly reviewed
• Management the Out of Hours cover and staffing rotas to ensure that appropriate arrangements are in place for year round (365 days) out-of-hours cover. Participate in this cover including weekend and public-holiday rota
• Maintain and purchase consumables and equipment and evaluate new techniques and equipment that may be of use to enhance the effectiveness of research carried out.

Agenda and its clients only recruit people who are passionate about animal care and welfare, people with integrity who are honest and trustworthy and who have a great work ethic.  To enable us to hire the very best people we will conduct a full and comprehensive background and pre-employment screening as an essential part of the recruitment process.