Wehave an exciting opportunityavailable for a BRF Research Officer to join one of the world's leading research Institutes at a crucial time in its evolution, and play a definitive role in shaping it for the future. You will join us on a full-time, permanent, and in return, you will receive a competitive salary from £25,755 with benefits, subject to skills and experience.
The BRF Research Officer role:
Interested in working with animals and taking care of them? Enjoy practical work and have an empathy with animals? If yes, then the role of an Animal Technician/Aquarist may be perfect for you.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we offer training and support to start a rewarding career where you can make a positive difference to both research and animal welfare.
We are looking for passionate, self-motivated and enthusiastic team players to take on the role of Animal Technician/Aquarist, caring for either mammalian or aquatic species. This is a vital role within our team and organisation, contributing to improving the quality of life for laboratory animals.
Our animal technicians are essential in supporting the science conducted and the Crick, and work closely with researchers. However, this is not a laboratory-based position; you will be based in an animal facility with primary responsibilities focused on husbandry duties. As the main focus of this role animal husbandry and welfare, post holders are required to work on-site to carry out their daily allocated duties. Therefore, there is no opportunity for remote working in this role.
The Biological Research Facility (BRF) is the Crick's animal facility, offering resources and services to those scientists who use animals to answer their research questions.
The BRF has approximately 150 highly trained animal care staff spread across several self-contained animal units. Our teams of Animal Technicians and Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWOs) provide daily care for our animals and support researchers with their experiments, to minimise any distress or adverse effects. 24/7 healthcare support is provided by Named Veterinary Surgeons, and an in-house team carries out regular animal health monitoring to closely monitor the health status of our animals.
Responsibilities of our BRF Research Officer:
- Providing excellent care, welfare and husbandry to laboratory animals including mice, rats, laboratory opossums, ferrets, zebrafish, guppies and frogs, within specialist facilities.
- Cleaning cages/tanks of animals
- Feeding and watering animals
- Checking environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and water quality
- Monitoring the condition of animals and making health observations
- Undertaking domestic duties such as general cleaning and disinfection of equipment and areas
- Complying with relevant legislation, such as, Animals (Scientific Procedures Act) 1986 and Health and Safety Regulations
- Working within defined Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
- Maintaining accurate written and computer-based records
- Performing culling and carrying out basic organ dissections
- Applying and promoting the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement)
Skills and experience we are looking for in our BRF Research Officer:
- Educated to GCSE level or equivalent and possess a minimum of 5 GCSEs (including Maths and/or Science)
- Respects and has empathy towards the care and use of animals in science
- Demonstrates contributing effectively to the work of a team
- Has a desire to work in the laboratory animal technology field
- Possesses good time management and organisational skills
- Possesses good observational and attention to detail skills
- Possesses clear and effective written and oral communication skills
- Proven accurate record keeping skills
- Willing to participate regularly in essential animal care overtime, weekends and public holidays (including Christmas day)
- Is fit to meet the demands of the role, this will include frequent carrying and lifting and standing for most of the day
- Is computer literate
- Is conscientious and reliable
Closing date: 01/Nov/2024 23.59 GMT
If you feel you have the skills and experience to become our BRF Research Officer, please click ‘apply' today, we'd love to hear from you!
All offers of employment are subject to successful security screening and continuous eligibility to work in the United Kingdom.