VIEW VACANCY - RECEPTIONIST - OPERATIONS GROUP – RECEPTION - LMB 2700

Open Date
21/08/2025, 09:00
Close Date
18/09/2025, 23:55
Research Institute
MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum salary criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
Research Institute / Unit Information
The MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) is one of the birthplaces of modern molecular biology and has played an important role in the development of many new techniques, most notably protein crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy, DNA sequencing and monoclonal antibodies. The LMB has a clear goal of understanding biological processes at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of using this knowledge to tackle specific problems in human health and disease. We aim to tackle difficult, long-term problems, which often require investment over many years.
There are four scientific Divisions - Structural Studies, Protein and Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Cell Biology and Neurobiology. However, scientific collaboration between the different Divisions is extensive. Scientists are well supported by excellent scientific facilities and by the LMB Operations Group which maintains the core infrastructure and services of the institute.
The LMB provides an unsurpassed environment for both new and established researchers. Scientists are drawn to the LMB from all over the world, thus creating a lively and international community for the exchange of ideas and technical innovation.
UK Research and Innovation is a new entity that brings together nine partners to create an independent organisation with a strong voice for research and innovation, more information can be found at www.ukri.org
Band

MRC - 6

Location
Cambridge
Salary
£24,961 - £25,391 per annum (pro-rata)
Contract Type
Permanent
Job Type
Administration & Management
Full Time / Part Time
Part Time
Hours per week
30 hours (Monday to Thursday 08.00am to 1.30pm and Friday 08.00 - 5.00pm)
Job Description

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING REQUIRED:

Essential: GCSE, or equivalent, at Grade C or above in English and Maths.

PREVIOUS WORK EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Essential: Previous experience in a reception role in dealing with customers face to face.

COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS

Essential: Ability to communicate with colleagues and customers in person and on the telephone.
Desirable: Ability to deal with difficult situations in a customer facing setting.

MAILROOM EXPERIENCE

Desirable:

• Experience of using a franking machine and working in a post room.
• Ability to advise on and implement postal methods/pricing.

IT SKILLS

Essential: Basic computer literacy including email, Microsoft Word and Excel.
Desirable: Experience using databases and dedicated reception software.

PERSONAL SKILLS / BEHAVIOURS / QUALITIES:

Essential:

• Ability to work flexibly as part of a team.
• Must have a professional appearance and manner.
• Must be well spoken and articulate.
• Must appear confident and have a calm and helpful approach.

Further Information

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection policy

Job descriptions should be reviewed on a regular basis and at the annual appraisal. Any changes should be made and agreed between you and your manager.
The above lists are not exhaustive and you are required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, co-operatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post, the MRC and UKRI.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The MRC is a unique working environment where scientific researchers and professional support staff can actively partake in world class innovation and collaboration opportunities and their skills and knowledge through accessing a wide catalogue of training & development, including professional registration with the Science Council.
In addition, MRC (part of UKRI) provides its community of employees access to a whole host of useful benefits, including a defined benefit pension scheme and excellent holiday entitlement (30 days plus 2.5 privilege days & 8 bank holidays), family friendly policies (6 months full pay maternity & adoption leave), a range of shopping/travel discounts, access to our Employee Assistant Programme Scheme, Health and Wellbeing Support and a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. Please follow this link to find out more - Benefits
Our success is dependent upon our ability to embrace diversity and draw on the skills, understanding and experience of all our people. We warmly invite people from diverse backgrounds and heritage, including people who identify as having a disability, to apply for a role that excites them. As “Disability Confident” employers, we guarantee to interview all applicants who have disclosed they have a disability and who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy.
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.
We will conduct a full and comprehensive pre-employment check as an essential part of the recruitment process on all individuals that are offered a position with UKRI. This will include a security check and an extreme organisations affiliation check. The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

OVERALL PURPOSE:

The receptionists support front-of-house functions at the LMB’s state-of-the-art facility. The role is an integral part of the LMB, being the first point of contact for most people visiting our prestigious institute and providing a professional service to staff, visitors, and contractors.

MAIN DUTIES/ KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ensuring a professional and effective front-of-house customer service.
• Welcoming and directing visitors and contractors whilst maintaining a professional, organised, and friendly manner.
• Preparing and issuing visitor and contractor badges and ensuring all contractors have a valid contractor passport and have had an induction before they enter the facility.
• Issuing temporary and replacement access control cards to staff, visitors and contractors.
• Managing the switchboard and promptly answering and connecting callers.
• Answering queries and/or redirecting the query to other members of staff as appropriate.
• Receiving and sorting incoming post, special deliveries, and any internal mail.
• Collecting and franking outgoing mail and the administration of other mail services.
• Booking taxis for visitors and staff and maintaining administrative records.
• Being responsible for the booking of pool cars for members of staff upon request and the issuing/receiving of key fobs to vehicles.
• Keeping up-to-date records for post distribution, car, and bicycle registrations.
• Ensuring good communication between reception and security team members.
• Advising/training security in reception duties.
• Selling LMB merchandise upon request.
• Providing cover for periods of colleagues’ holiday/sickness leave for which overtime may be payable.
• Being part of the LMB’s Emergency Response Team.

You must at all times carry out your responsibilities with due regard to the UKRI:

• Code of Conduct
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy
• Health and Safety policy
• Data Protection polic