Breeding Teram Supervisor

Breeding Team Supervisor

• Salary in the range of circa £28,000 - £35,000 per annum dependent upon experience
• Duration: Non-time limited

About the role:
We are currently looking for a motivated individual to supervise the Transgenic Breeding Team within the Biological Resources Unit. The aim of this post, as a senior member of the team, is to provide day-to-day husbandry and breeding colony management of transgenic mice, supporting personal licences and named persons in accordance with the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. You will be responsible for coordinating the day-to-day work of the team. You will plan and manage workloads, coordinate daily activities, and take a lead in ensuring tasks are completed in a timely manner. Emphasis on accurate record keeping and regular contact with NACWO and other named persons.

About you:
You will be the holder of a current or previous Personal Licence (PIL A and B) along with a degree in Biological Sciences (or equivalent relevant experience). You will have a thorough understanding and working knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. You will have extensive experience in the field of animal technology, including full understanding of transgenic mouse breeding and colony management. NACWO training is desirable.

You will have excellent organisational, time management and communication skills. You will be adaptable, able to make decisions under pressure and possess the leadership qualities to ensure that the required high standard of care is delivered at all times under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA) 1986. You should be computer literate and competent in the use of standard office software.

Closing date: 7th Nov 2024

Interviews to be held 20th – 21st November

JOB DETAILS

Job Title: Breeding Team Supervisor

Grade: Senior Scientific Officer (SSO) (MI3)
Department: Biological Resources Unit (BRU) – Transgenic Breeding Team Division: Cancer
Accountable to: 1. Biological Resources Unit Manager
2. Chief Laboratory Officer

JOB PURPOSE

This role involves the co-ordination of the day-to-day work of the Transgenic Breeding Team to ensure that the required high standard of care is delivered at all times under the Animal Scientific Procedures Act (ASPA) 1986.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to the smooth day-to-day running of the Transgenic Breeding Team, taking final decisions as appropriate.
• Take a lead role to ensure that tasks requested by researchers are completed in a timely manner.
• Oversee the status of mouse colonies, guaranteeing that the service provided by the team is achieved (breeding performance, grouping of animals, etc.).
• Co-ordinate activities within the unit, planning and managing staff workload and ensuring that standards are maintained by conducting regular checks.
• Communicate with NACWO when welfare issues are encountered.

• Make observations, keep accurate records, and input data into the colony management software as required and as discussed with the unit manager.
• Responsible for effectively supervising staff on a day-to-day basis.
• To be a member of the team carrying out day-to-day animal husbandry, feeding, watering, cleaning, and monitor and report health of laboratory animals as required.
• Keep up-to-date with developments in animal technology recommend and implement new novel procedures as required after discussion with Unit Manager.
• Commit to the rota for weekends and Bank Holiday cover for the unit. Requirement to cover out of hours calls on occasion as required.
• Assist the named persons in carrying out duties as lay down by the Animal Scientific Procedures Act 1986, notifying personal license holders and deciding for care or humane culling of animals as necessary.
• Understand and comply with the University’s Equality and Diversity policies.
• Undertake any other duties, as requested by the Unit Manager.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

• Work efficiently, cost-effectively and in a flexible manner
• To meet objectives within pre-determined timescales
• Effective communications to be maintained with staff at all levels
• Strict adherence to protocols and Institute policies
• To comply with Health & Safety requirements, including having an awareness of personal responsibilities to maintain a safe working environment
• To contribute to the University’s agenda for social responsibility, including sustainability
• To maintain confidentiality of information in line with data protection requirements and University
• Familiarise themselves with the University’s Equality and Diversity policies and to actively support these wherever possible
• Be a team player
• To strive to accomplish high quality of work
• To complete a security screening as and when required

PERSON SPECIFICATION
The person specification should set out the qualifications, experience, skills, knowledge, personal competencies, interests and other requirements which the post holder requires to perform the job to a satisfactory level.

Job Title: Breeding Team Supervisor

ESSENTIAL
The qualities without which a post holder
could not be appointed DESIRABLE
Extra qualities which can be used to
choose between candidates who meet all the essential
criteria METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

QUALIFICATIONS • Home Office Personal License holder (PIL A, B).
• Biological Sciences degree (or equivalent relevant experience). • Health and safety qualifications.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• NACWO training
• IAT qualification CV
Certificates

EXPERIENCE • Experience in the field of animal technology.
• Full understanding of transgenic mouse breeding and colony management.
• Experience working in an IVC facility. • Experience of procedural work on mice.
• Understanding of transgenic technology.
• Genotyping experience.
• Phenotyping experience.
• Prior experience of supervising staff
members. CV
Interview References

SKILLS • Excellent organisational and time management skills.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal.
• Competent in the use of standard office software (Microsoft office including excel).
• Accurate comprehensive record- keeping, attention to detail.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback
(when required). • Experience with specialist animal management systems.
• Prior experience in planning and organising workloads.
• Proven ability of supervising procedures. CV
Interview References

SKILLS
contd… • Ability to work under minimal supervision.
• Effective organisational skills and good multi- tasking ability. CV
Interview References

KNOWLEDGE • Understanding of transgenic breeding programmes.
• Thorough understanding and working knowledge of the 1986 Animal Scientific
Procedures Act. • A general knowledge of cancer and/or laboratory animal models. CV
Interview References

OTHER • Ability to work at weekends and on bank holidays as necessary.
• Willing to (occasionally) cover out of hours on call.
• Meticulous.
• Interactive.
• Organised.
• Willingness to travel between CRUK MI sites
• Self-motivated and able to work to strict deadlines.
• Ability to work well within a team framework
• Proven ability to work flexibly
• Willingness to learn and implement new procedures or ways of
working • Able to demonstrate creativity and innovation. CV
Interview Document check

OTHER
contd … • To show commitment to equality and fairness and integrity in dealing with others.
• To be willing to work across organisational boundaries.
• To seek new knowledge and share ideas.
• To be open and responsive to change and innovation. CV
Interview Document check

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The following is a basic summary of the standard terms and conditions applicable to the post you have applied for:

• The post, Breeding Team Supervisor. Salary in the range of £28,000 - £35,000 per annum (dependent upon experience).

• Salary is paid monthly.

• There are 32 days holiday per year plus Bank Holidays for England.

• Duration of contract: Permanent

• 35 hour week.

• There is a probationary period attached to this post of 6 months. It’s standard for many organisations now and consists of two 3-monthly reviews with your line manager.

• You are eligible to join the pension scheme.

• Offer is subject to receipt of satisfactory references and proof of your highest qualification.