17/08/2025, 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
30,911 per annum
Contract Type
Fixed Term
Job Type
Technical & Scientific Professionals
Full Time / Part Time
Full Time
Contract Length
Six months in the first instance, with the possibility to extend to twelve months
Overall Purpose:
The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of the generation and use of mouse models for the study of human disease. The MLC offers a range of mouse services to support researchers with generation and characterisation of mouse models of disease and archiving/distribution of existing models.
This maternity cover post is based within the Pathology department of the Mary Lyon Centre. It is an initial six-month post with the possibility of a further six-month extension.
MLC Pathology is split into necropsy, histology and clinical pathology departments, who support the centre's mission of utilising mouse models for the preclinical study of human disease. Data and samples produced by this team inform researchers around the UK and across the world about the roles of many mammalian genes and how they can lead to disease in humans.
The post-holder will primarily work within the clinical pathology laboratory but will assist other teams when required.
Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:
Clinical Pathology
Maintenance and operation of equipment, including Beckman Coulter DXC700AU, Advia2120i, FLUOstar Optima plate reader, RAPID Lab 348EX blood gas analyser, and CytoFlex S Flow Cytometer and Multiplex analyser
Performance of in-vivo phenotyping assays, such as blood sampling, and processing of samples for analysis
Work scheduling
Scheduling of routine and short-notice emergency work
Cross-team working when required
Training
Assist with running laboratory skills training courses
Assist with internal training of staff and collaborators
Quality Assurance & Record Keeping
Ensuring that all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), risk assessments and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) requirements are observed
Maintaining database and keeping various records and logs up to date as per requirements for ISO 9001 certification
Archiving & Stock Control
Ensuring that all consumables, reagents and chemicals are logged and stored
Ensuring that all samples are logged, stored and archived appropriately
Working Relationships:
The post-holder will report to the Clinical Pathology Manager and work within a team of Pathology technicians. They will be expected to liaise with other MLC departments and internal and external customers, as well as service engineers and suppliers.
Additional Information:
The post-holder may occasionally be required to travel to attend meetings or training courses
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training Required:
Essential:
HND, BSc or extensive relevant laboratory experience in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences
Desirable:
Extensive relevant laboratory experience in the Biological or Biomedical Sciences
Home Office personal licence
Teaching or training qualification or experience
Previous Work Experience Required:
Essential:
General laboratory experience
Experience of handling blood samples
Experience of blood sample analysis
Desirable:
Experience in clinical chemistry, haematology, ELISA or other immunoassays
Experience of working in a commercial or service-led environment
Experience of working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
Knowledge and Experience:
Essential:
Ability to accurately follow protocols/SOPs
Computer literacy, including ability to use record-keeping systems and common software packages
Desirable:
Experience with laboratory information management systems (LIMs)
Experience of handling complex datasets
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:
Essential:
Excellent communication skills and attention to detail
Flexible and adaptable in approach to work to ensure changing priorities and deadlines are met
A service-delivery focus and ability to work on day-to-day functions independently and as a team
Desirable:
Experience in training others
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. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
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, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and 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.
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