JOB SUMMARY

The Animal Facility Manager role leads a team of animal technicians within the Radiation Effects Department of the UK Health Security Agency’s Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate.
The team engages in research related to the evidence for radiation related health effects, to ensure ionising radiation is used as safely as possible within society.

The main responsibilities of the post-holder will be to develop and manage the animal facility:

• be responsible for the running and management of the RCE animal facility
• be responsible to the Home Office as Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO), Named Training and Competency Officers (NTCO), and Home Office Liaison Contacts (HOLC) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
• facilitate experimental animal studies in the Department and Division, and develop services to offer for UKHSA and external
• contribute to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board (AWERB)
• contribute to experimental studies in animal behaviour and other topics as agreed with line manager.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The post holder will:

• be responsible for the smooth running and management of the RCCE animal facility
• act as Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer, Named Training and Competency Officers (NTCO), and Home Office Liaison Contacts (HOLC) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. In this role, liaise with the Named Veterinary Surgeon in the maintenance of appropriately high standards of animal care. Co-ordinate correspondence with the Home Office concerning animal usage, licence applications and amendments. Ensure that those working with animals are adequately educated, trained, and supervised until competent and maintain their expertise.
• support staff carrying out experimental animal work, co-ordinating animal purchases, availability of space and other resources
• provide advice on and assist with procedures involving animals, undertaking regulated procedures under a Home Office Personal Licence and advising Personal and Project Licence Holders; arrange associated training
• ensure compliance with all aspects of experimental animal and health and safety legislation and contribute to requirements for Refinement, Reduction and Replacement in the use of animals; arrange animal health checks
• take overall responsibility for decisions on whether to sacrifice animals showing signs of distress
• co-ordinate and facilitate visits by the Named Veterinary Surgeon and Home Office inspector and respond to their advice / requirements
• source and distribute information on developments in animal care and on security issues
• keep abreast of developments in animal care and apply current best practice
• be responsible for the staffing, upkeep and maintenance of the animal facility and for its security
• undertake weekend/holiday animal care as required and provide a continuous on-call service throughout the year
• actively engage with both the RCCE and joint UKHSA cross site AWERB meetings as a core member of these groups
• work under COSHH regulations and other relevant regulations (genetically modified organisms, ionising radiation, laboratory animals) as appropriate. Complete relevant risk assessments as required
• be responsible for all users of the animal facility respecting health and safety rules and regulations
• contribute to experimental work by following defined procedures in animal studies (eg. exposures to radiations or chemicals, behavioral studies) and other areas as agreed with line manager
• Advise researchers on best practice in husbandry techniques and the breeding of GA animals where required.
• maintain records of animal usage and breeding according to Home Office requirements
• maintain clear and accurate experimental records
• maintain and build strong network links with other UKHSA animal sites.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

The main responsibilities of the post-holder will be to develop and manage the animal facility:

• be responsible for the running and management of the RCE animal facility
• be responsible to the Home Office as Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO), Named Training and Competency Officers (NTCO), and Home Office Liaison Contacts (HOLC) under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986
• facilitate experimental animal studies in the Department and Division, and develop services to offer for UKHSA and external
• contribute to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board (AWERB)
• contribute to experimental studies in animal behaviour and other topics as agreed with line manager