Job Description

Open Date

26/01/2026, 13:45

Close Date

08/02/2026, 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
31,916 per annum
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Type
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time

Overall Purpose:

We have an opportunity for an Animal Technician to join our In Vivo Studies 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 for external academic researchers or biotech companies. These studies involve mouse models of human diseases, including cancers, mitochondrial disease, kidney disease and other areas. The post-holder will work as part of a team and will carry out procedures including dosing and tissue dissection as well as general husbandry and welfare assessments.


The post-holder will report directly to the Study Manager and will work closely with members of the In Vivo Studies team.

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:

The post-holder is expected to:

Carry out regular licensed procedures (after comprehensive training), alone or with other team members, as requested daily. This will include a variety of procedures such as dosing, imaging and dissections. Carry out animal husbandry work, to check the health and welfare of mice and address their welfare needs (including working on weekends on a rota basis) Keep meticulous records of all experimental animals Aid with diluting of drugs and basic dosing calculations Read and adhere to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments Read and work under Home Office Project Licences and undergo training to achieve a personal licence to allow work on mice Assist with data quality checks Liaise with other groups as needed

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 Study Manager under the Project Manager. Routine interaction with every level of seniority is expected.



Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

A Levels/higher education in a science subject
Desirable:

Home Office Personal Licence Holder

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

Experience of working in a research environment
Desirable:

Experience of in vivowork Experience working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

Proficient in the use of Microsoft packages Ability to accurately follow protocols/SOPs Experience of working alone and as part of a team Genuine interest in the welfare of animals Experience of working in a fast-paced environment
Desirable:

Experience of calculating concentrations and doses

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



Further Information

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.




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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview.


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.