Phenotyping Technician

Harwell Campus, Oxfordshire

Full Time (36 hours per week)

About Us:

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) https://www.har.mrc.ac.uk/ 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 research groups across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human disease.

About the Role:

We have an opportunity for a Phenotyping Technician to join our Phenotyping Core Team in the MLC, working across several different research projects to provide high-quality technical procedures and research data.

Our team provides a vast range of phenotyping services in collaboration with other wards and teams inside the facility.

In recent years, we have enhanced our capabilites and expanded our capacity, by adopting cutting-edge experimental procedures aligned with ongoing technological advancements in the field. We work with classical phenotyping devices that allow the monitoring of behavioural changes in mice (e.g., in areas such as metabolism, anxiety, memory, locomotion, and social interaction) and with more advanced procedures such as electrophysiology (e.g., electroencephalography, electromyography and electroretinography), in vivo imaging (e.g., ultrasound, X-ray, in vivo fluorescence and bioluminescence) and surgical techniques.   

We are looking for a highly enthusiastic individual, with the patience to carry out very delicate tests with great attention to detail. The ability to interact with other people, inside or outside the team, with kindness and respect, is critical.  

The candidate should be educated to a minimum of graduate level with some experience of either in vivo experimentation or other research activities, and should have a positive attitude and the ability to demonstrate experience of being able to work alone and as part of a team.

A genuine interest in the welfare of animals and the ability to handle them with attention during procedures is essential. Due to the nature of the role, the flexibility to adapt to daily changes of plans and the ability to make quick decisions when needed, are also essential.

Good IT literacy is required, as well as the ability to work with data.

Ideally the candidate should hold a Personal Licence from the Home Office, although this is not essential.

You will work to ensure that all procedures are carried out in line with Home Office licensing (The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, amended 2012), and that meticulous records are kept of all animal-related work.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide phenotyping services; this will include a variety of procedures such as dosing, behavioural phenotyping, imaging, surgical procedures and disseections
• Data quality checking and troubleshooting
• Device troubleshooting
• Analysis of imaging data; for example, quantification of fluorescence or measurements from ultrasound images
• Online record keeping
• Reading and adhering to standard operating procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments
• Checking the health and welfare of experimental mouse stocks and addressing their welfare needs
• Covering animal husbandry work when necessary, including working weekends on a rota basis

Additional Information:

You must be willing to work overtime to cover animal requirements.

About You:

• You will have graduate degree in a scientific subject
• You should have experience of working in a laboratory environment, including working to SOPs and risk assessments
• A genuine interest in the welfare of animals is essential

For the full job description, please visit our site on the link below.

Benefits:

Choosing to come to work at the MRC (part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)) means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits, from a defined-benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement, to access to employee shopping/travel discounts and a salary sacrifice cycle-to-work scheme.  In addition, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the work of a world-class medical research organisation.

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. You will also have access to the world-class training opportunities provided by the UKRI’s purpose-built Advance training centre at MRC Harwell. We aim to deliver practical and theoretical training courses, providing you with the ideal environment in which to advance your skills and knowledge. 

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.

How to Apply:

For full details and to apply please click on the ‘Apply’ button above.