Animal Technician

Open Date

17/02/2026, 15:00

Close Date

02/03/2026, 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 i.org

Band MRC - 6

Location Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

Contract Type Permanent

Job Type Technical & Scientific Professionals

Full Time / Part Time Full Time

To work in the Mary Lyon Centre team and provide high quality husbandry and experimental procedures to fulfil scientific needs. This includes ensuring that the needs of the animals are met in terms of clean cages, food, bedding and health checks. Working under Home Office licensing (The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, amended 2012) to carry out procedures needed to help advance medical research, with meticulous record keeping of all animal-related work.

• Checking the health and welfare of experimental mice
• Participation in the rota for cleaning and watering of animal cages
• Addressing the welfare needs of mouse colonies
• Maintaining cleanliness in the animal rooms
• Computerised record keeping
• Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments
• Taking samples for genotyping

Member of a team working under supervision of a line manager and ward supervisor.

Must be able to work overtime to cover animal requirements.

Essential:

Five GCSEs at grade C or above

Desirable:

Institute of Animal Technology Level 2 Diploma in Laboratory Animal Science and Technology

Home Office Licence

Essential:

Experience of working with animals, or in a capacity in which a caring approach in the post is required, and attention to detail are essential (for example, in kennels, care homes, working with young children)

Desirable:

Basic animal husbandry

Essential:

Genuine interest in the welfare of animals

Basic computer skills, including the ability to use digital record keeping systems and common software packages such as Excel

Desirable:

Experience of working to SOPs

Essential:

Excellent attention to detail

Ability to work as part of a team under supervision

Self-motivated and positive influence on other team members

Ability to carry out manual tasks such as cage changing

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.

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

All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

The 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

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.

UKRI supports research in areas that include animal health, agriculture and food…