Animal Technician

Animal Technician – (24P-52)

The Pirbright Institute

Salary: £25,500 - £26,500 per annum

Permanent

Onsite: Woking, GU24

Application Closing Date: 26/09/2024

About The Pirbright Institute

The Pirbright Institute delivers world-leading research to understand, predict, detect, and respond to viral disease outbreaks. We study viruses of livestock that are endemic and exotic to the UK, including zoonotic viruses, by using the most advanced tools and technologies to understand host-pathogen interactions in animals and arthropod vectors. Our major strength in understanding the immune systems of livestock provides a platform to control current diseases and respond to emerging threats.

Our Institute is made up of a dynamic and vibrant community of staff covering a diverse set of chosen fields, backgrounds, and experience. We all play a crucial role in furthering the Institute’s aspirations, advancing the frontiers of science and knowledge through our excellent scientific research, knowledge sharing and contribution; with a real focus in improving the world in which we live. Our outlook is always balanced by our strong sense of purpose, values and behaviours and an unwavering commitment to a ‘one Institute’ approach.

Organisation, position, and purpose

The Animal Services department is based within the Capability Directorate of The Pirbright Institute and undertakes the daily care and welfare of experimental animals housed within The Pirbright Institutes animal facilities.

We are currently recruiting animal technicians to work with a variety of species with a focus on poultry, including chickens and ducks.

The posts will be located within The Pirbright Institute animal facilities operating at varying containment levels up to and including SAPO4 and ACDP3 facilities. The role is multifunctional across all facilities, with an expectation that the post holder will also work with other species on occasion such as cattle, pigs, sheep and small mammals.

The purpose of this role is to provide essential support to the overall Institute objectives by undertaking the daily care and welfare of experimental animals housed within The Pirbright Institute animal facilities.

Animal Technicians play an essential role in the complete delivery of world leading animal studies through collaboration with internal stakeholders at all levels.

The post holder will report directly to the Senior Supervisor or Facility Manager in the immediate management structure above this position.

Personal Competencies

For this role we are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and engaged individual who can work proactively as part of a team and as an individual. Time management, reliability under pressure, and the ability to communicate in a diplomatic, engaging, and collaborative manner are all essential within this role. A further key attribute is to have the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one's emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.

Essential/Desirable requirements

Essential

• 5 GCSE’s or equivalent.
• Good English verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to give meticulous attention to detail including the management of section documents and recording of data.
• Must have the ability to follow detailed instruction, both written and verbal.
• Able to work effectively and flexibly as part of a team.
• Reliability under pressure.
• Decision making and problem-solving skills.
• To work under the 11-day fortnight rota system.

Desirable

• Experience of working under a Home Office Personal licence.
• Animal handling / husbandry experience with relevant species.
• Animal technology or agricultural qualification with relevant specific modules.
• Experience of working within a research environment.

Due to the nature of the work carried out by Pirbright, all successful applicants will be required to go through a comprehensive screening process including reference and qualification checks, financial and security clearances.

Main duties and responsibilities

• The post holder will be one of a team whose main task is the day-to-day care, welfare, and general husbandry of experimental animals within the Animal Services facilities i.e., feeding, cleaning, watering, and health monitoring.
• To help ensure compliance with the main provisions of ASPA, helping to ensure animals are housed under the requirements of the law.
• Handling and restraint of animal species for the collection of samples and other welfare procedures.
• To hold a Home Office personal License (PIL cat A&B) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (as amended 2012) (ASPA)
• To carry out regulated procedures in compliance with ASPA following suitable training, supervision, and competence assessment.
• To carry out the culling of animal species following suitable training, supervision, and competence assessment.
• To understand and ensure compliance with the relevant bio-safety legislation and how it applies to each facility. This will include SAPO, COSHH and GM.
• To understand and comply with the Institutes principles around SPF and bio exclusion principles.
• To attend an accredited NACWO course and achieve certification to ensure awareness of legislation and uniformity of approach across all facilities.
• Meticulous attention to detail including record keeping (handwritten and computer based) document control and adherence to written methods & protocols.
• To contribute towards the production and continued development of departmental documentation and process.
• To assist with training activities within the Animal Services department.
• To actively support The Pirbright Institutes commitments to Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. Would actively explore current ideas especially refinements with encouragement or guidance from line management.
• To assist with building shutdowns which will include full clean down of the facility, safe handling of hazardous chemicals and disinfection/fumigation of the building/rooms.
• Processing of waste streams via the required process inclusive of autoclave, incineration, and fumigation.
• To assist with planned preventative maintenance, including undertaking building sealability testing.
• To be a responsible member of The Pirbright Institute community.
• To be actively involved in the logistical pre planning and post wash up of animal studies.
• Expected to attend site, if available, for the occasional requirement for out-of-hours support.

This job description is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The jobholder will carry out any other duties as may be reasonably required by his/her line manager. The job description and personal specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of The Pirbright Institute.

What we offer

• Generous Group Personal Pension Scheme and life cover (subject to age and earnings).
• 25 days annual leave per annum, pro rata, plus 10.5 public and privilege days.
• Buy and sell annual leave.
• Option to carry over up to two weeks annual leave.
• Pirbright gym with subsidised membership.
• Pirbright social club.
• Pirbright Lifestyle Hub (employee discount site).
• Cycle to work.
• Subsidised employee restaurant.
• Childcare allowance.
• Free onsite parking.
• Electric car charging facilities.

Due to the high volume of applications, we receive, if you have not heard from us within one month from closing date of the vacancy, then please contact us on jobs@pirbright.ac.uk for an update.

We acknowledge, understand, and embrace diversity, equality, and inclusion.