Supporting Animal Technician

About us

The Sainsbury Wellcome Centre (SWC) brings together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to generate perception, form memories and guide behaviour. Developed through the vision and partnership of the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and Wellcome, and with substantial investment from these partners, the mission of the SWC is to generate experimentally testable theories of brain function.

The Centre comprises 12 highly interdisciplinary experimental research groups accommodated in a new, purpose-designed building, offering an outstanding and unparalleled research environment. SWC scientists use a broad spectrum of the latest advances in molecular and cellular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural techniques and enjoy state-of-the-art research laboratories, cutting[1]edge scientific equipment, technologically[1]advanced prototyping and fabrication laboratories and custom in-house high-performance computing facilities.

SWC is part of the UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences (SLMS). SLMS brings together four UCL Faculties to create one of the largest and most prestigious aggregations of academics in biomedical, life and population health sciences worldwide. The School has a global reputation for teaching, informed by cutting-edge research. SWC is most closely linked with the Faculties of Brain Science and Life Sciences, and is aligned administratively with Life Sciences. The Faculty of Life Sciences leadership team works closely with the SWC leadership to support and enable their mission and facilitate research excellence. Further details about UCL can be found at www.ucl.ac.uk.

About the role

You will support the operation of the Neurobiological Research Facility (NRF) with responsibility for following strict animal health barrier procedures to maintain the cleanliness of the facility. This includes operating equipment such as autoclaves, rack-washers and bottle-washers, as well as handling cage preparation and distribution and general house-keeping duties. Throughout the fulfilment of these duties you must maintain a hygienic and tidy approach in keeping with fire, health and safety, and bio-security protocols. You will be required to work occasional unsociable hours to meet the demands on the service; this may include some weekend working.

About you

You will have a minimum of 5 A*- C or 9-4 GCSEs or equivalent qualification in Science, an interest in animal care and welfare and computer literate with the ability to use databases and systems related to record keeping. You will also Excellent attention to detail, ability to efficiently, effectively and safely use machinery, ability to safely handle and move bulky or heavy items on a daily basis and able to work effectively and collaboratively as a member of a team.

What we offer

SWC offers staff an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia with state-of-the-art facilities, an on-site brasserie and access to pleasant outdoor spaces.

The Centre also offers the full range of UCL staff benefits, including a generous annual leave entitlement, occupational pension schemes, excellent family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay, a work-life balance policy, and a range of financial benefits such as a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts.

Further information on UCL’s staff benefits can be found online: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/pay-and-staff-benefits.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.

These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here : https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/