Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell Salary : £31,916 per annum Band : MRC-5a S2 Contract type : Fixed term for two years Hours: Full time (36 hours) Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire, on-site Closing date: Sunday 17 May 2026 Job Description 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 In Vivo Study Supervisor 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 In Vivo Study Supervisor under the Project Manager. Routine interaction with every level of seniority is expected. Person Requirements 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 vivo work 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 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. UKRI - UK Research and Innovation UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. More information can be found at www.ukri.org. Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI. How we support EDI in the workforce At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'. Disability Confident Employer As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. How to apply Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application. UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment. The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is located in an expanding science and innovation park 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 distinct research clusters spread across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration. The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions. There is a range of training and development opportunities that will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council. 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.