Job Description

Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell

Salary: £52,253 per annum

Band: MRC-3a S2

Contract type: Fixed term for 12 months (maternity cover)

Hours: Full time (36 hours)

Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire, on-site

Closing date: Sunday 29 March 2026

Job Description

Overall Purpose:

To take a key role in managing the in-vivo work in the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC). This post would be a main point of contact between researchers and technicians, advising, planning and organising experiments using genetically altered mouse models. This post requires a strong scientific background, including experience in experimental design, as well as good knowledge on the use of genetically altered models and exceptional organisational and communication skills.

All work will be carried out under Home Office regulations (Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act amended 2012) after thorough ethical justification.

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:

• Liaise with researchers to set up new experiments, including requirement gathering, advising on the best course of action, checking relevant licencing, and generating detailed experimental plans
• Generate quotes and timelines for new experiments
• Responsible for the delivery and completion of experimental plans, communicating between teams to ensure that all work is carried out on time and to the correct standards
• Ensure compliance with ISO9001 for all projects for which the post-holder is responsible
• Review and quality check data produced in projects for which the post-holder is responsible
• Lead meetings with research groups to update each other on progress and plans for subsequent weeks
• Assist in writing and critique of new project licences for experimental work at the MLC
• Deputise for other managers in their absence

Working Relationships:

The post-holder will work under the direction of the Scientific Manager of the MLC but with significant autonomy to manage projects. The post-holder will liaise with external researchers to both inform on project progress and advise on the best course of action. Significant cross-team communication will be required within the MLC, including with husbandry, phenotyping and necropsy teams to ensure efficient delivery of projects.

Person Requirements

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

• PhD in Genetics or Biology

Desirable:

• Home Office personal licence (PIL)

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Post-doctoral or equivalent position managing a research project
• Experience in analysing experimental data
• Experience in designing studies

Desirable:

• Experience in clinical trials or drug studies

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Genuine interest in the welfare of animals
• Experience in working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act
• Experience in using statistics

Desirable:

• Knowledge of complex genetic alterations, conditional systems, CRISPR/Cas9

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Excellent attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously and make decisions
• Good communication and ability to work across multiple teams
• Self-motivated and positive influence on other team members

Equality & Diversity

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. 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.

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC's:

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

The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

About Us

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

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.

About the Team

The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) 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 distinct research clusters spread across the UK to accelerate our understanding of human diseases, such as cancer, developmental disorders and neurodegeneration.

The MRC is a great place to work and progress your career, be it in scientific research or the support functions. There is a range of training and development opportunities that will be available to you, including professional registration with the Science Council.

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.