Job Description

High Containment and Biological Services operate within and supports the wider UKHSA mission to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. 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.



Based at one of the two unique Non-Human Primate (NHP) breeding colony facilities the Animal Technician role will provide technical and husbandry expertise in a team responsible for the delivery of the scientific and specialist technical activities within the Biological Services Group.



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 performing regulated procedures under ASPA. 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.



Site access requirements stipulate that our employees must be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years



We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.



UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.



Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Your key responsibilities will include:

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.



Support with basic necropsy examination and removal of specified tissues.



Contribute to the process of ordering of drugs used at the colonies and maintenance of the drugs supply in line with policies and legal requirements.



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.



Ensure equipment used within the facility is maintained and serviceable for use at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required by projects.



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.



To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade



To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard 'Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety' (NOS HSS1).



To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade and comply with UKHSA policies and procedures.



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.

Essential Criteria:

IAT level 2 qualification or NVQ level 2 in animal care/husbandry or equivalent level of qualification or 2 years experience working with laboratory animals



Theoretical and practical training for working in an in-vivo setting



Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety



Detailed knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.



Working within a Quality system environment (ISO / GxP) and experience of working to SOPs, COPs, RAs etc



Able to communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists, both verbally and written formats



Able to prioritise own and others work



Commitment to continuing professional development



Willingness to undergo vaccinations as determined by project work



Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance



Able to travel independently to work



Available to work weekends / bank holiday



Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes



Selection process details



This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Ability,

Stage 1 - Application & Sift:

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 13 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a :



Application form ( ' Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



Up to 1000-word Statement of Suitability



This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting :

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:



Meets all essential criteria



Meets some essential criteria



Meets no essential criteria



Piles Meets all essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety



Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.



Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Interview (success profiles)



You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.



Behaviours, Experience and Ability will be tested at interview.

The Behaviour's tested during the interview stage will be:

Working at Pace (lead)



Working Together



Making Effective Decisions



Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.



Location



This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton.



For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.



Eligibility Criteria



Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.