View Vacancy Environmental Sustainability Officer - Operations Group - Estates and Facilities - LMB 2791 Open Date 12/03/2026, 08:00 Close Date 09/04/2026, 23:55 Research Institute MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y Research Institute / Unit Information The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years. There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute. The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation. 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 Cambridge Salary £30,512 - £36,495 per annum (pro-rata) Contract Type Fixed Term Job Type Administration & Management Full Time / Part Time Full or Part Time options Contract Length 20 Months Job Description Overall purpose: As Environmental Sustainability Officer, you will be responsible for driving improvements in environmental sustainability within the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), Cambridge. Research science can have a considerable environmental impact; this role will help to reduce the overall environmental impact of our cutting-edge research facility and meet UKRI's ambitious sustainability targets. You will work with the Scientific Services and Sustainability Manager to design, manage and promote sustainability initiatives across the LMB, building on and championing existing green initiatives, as well as developing new projects. Main duties/ Key responsibilities: To help embed sustainability in processes and departments across the LMB. These activities include: • Leading and administering the LMB's Green Committee and Lab Sustainability team. • Working and engaging with researchers to lessen the environmental impact from the laboratories, animal husbandry, and other facilities, using sustainability standards as a guide where relevant. • Training new staff and students in sustainable practices. • Developing and introducing best practices into the LMB to reduce the environmental impact of our staff and research. • Disseminating and promoting these best practices, through generation of promotional material, organising events/competitions, writing newsletters and engaging on social media. • Monitoring engagement with sustainable initiatives and adjusting where appropriate. • Integrating sustainability into the leaving process for departing staff and working with lab leavers to ensure this process is followed. • Working with suppliers, our Stores Manager and the researchers to reduce the environmental impact of the products we purchase. • Making improvements to waste segregation and implementing initiatives to reduce waste. • Making improvements to biodiversity on site by managing small projects and working with Estates and Facilities staff who manage the external site. • Communicating achievements in environmental sustainability across the site and to other stakeholders. • Monitoring our progress towards sustainability goals and reporting to senior Managers, and the MRC Sustainability Team where relevant. • Helping to identify and apply for grants for new sustainability initiatives. • Working with environmental leads from across the MRC facilities, as well as UKRI and external stakeholders, to establish best practice, share ideas and coordinate on projects. Working relationships: You will establish and nurture relationships with colleagues from across the LMB, the MRC as a whole, and UKRI, at all levels of responsibility. This includes: • Operational teams, to reduce energy and water usage, reduce waste, improve waste segregation and recycling, and improve the biodiversity and species abundance of the site. • Researchers, research groups, and animal technicians, to lessen the impact of the research that is undertaken on the site. • Sustainability Officers at other MRC Institutes, the MRC Sustainability team and the wider UKRI environmental sustainability community, to report and communicate successes and challenges. • Suppliers and contractors, to develop lower-impact supply chain options and shape services to promote greater sustainability. Person Specification Education / qualifications / training required: Essential: • Degree level qualification in a life science-related subject or environmental sustainability and/or comparable experience. Desirable: • Work experience in an environmental sustainability-related field. Knowledge and experience: Essential: • Knowledge of current landscape, key themes and principles relating to environmental sustainability in the UK, as well as specifically in biological research laboratories. • Demonstrable experience of supporting or implementing sustainability in an organisation. Desirable: • Previous experience in a laboratory environment. • Experience of managing or coordinating projects related to sustainable improvements. • Experience of reporting data to meet sustainability accreditations and/or standards. Personal skills / behaviours / qualities: Essential: • Passion for environmental sustainability. • Desire to forge a career in sustainability. • Proactive approach to implementing sustainability ideas. • Excellent verbal communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to build enduring and effective working relationships with staff at all levels. • Excellent written communication skills. • Detail conscious and very well organised. • Excellent analytical and reporting skills. • Ability to work independently. • Excellent level of IT literacy and good working knowledge of Microsoft packages. • Proactive and flexible approach to work, with a willingness to travel on occasion. Further Information You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI: • Code of Conduct • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy • Health and Safety policy • Data Protection policy Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager. The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI. 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. 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, 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.