Lead Animal Care Technician

Contract Type: Open Ended
Working Pattern: Full Time

The Post

This role is responsible for the overall operations of the Niall Bromage Freshwater Research Unit (NBFRU) as part of NATIH, delivering technical and scientific support, fish care and welfare in compliance with all relevant legislation. Within this role the post holder will have responsibility for leading a small team who are responsible for animal care and maintenance of the NATIH experimental hatchery facilities.

The post holder will be responsible for conducting a range of services and delivering across several research projects and objectives. The role and responsibilities will be to focus on the delivery of a range of academic and contract research needs where appropriate. The post holder will be required to develop a degree of specialism in the care and maintenance of a range of freshwater vertebrate and invertebrate species.

Description of Duties

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the organisation and operation of the animal facility delivering the highest standards of animal care, study support and breeding colony management
• Ensure the appropriate resources are available to meet the needs of NATIH and the research community 

Compliance with relevant legislation

• Liaise with the on-site NACWO, NATIH Manager and deputy establishment licence holder regarding Home Office compliance
• Ensure that the field station is fully compliant with other statutory requirements such as Scottish Government with particular reference to Marine Scotland and Scottish 

Financial Management

• Ensure the NBFRU operates effectively within any budget constraints, ensuring costs associated with project work is fully aligned to the appropriate research grants and the maintenance of accurate financial records
• Support the NATIH Manager in identifying additional business income through promoting the communication and marketing of NATIH and freshwater expertise at key events and through the Institute’s communication plan 

Facility management and Health and Safety

• Ensure that a high standard of hygiene control is in place within the NBFRU fish facilities by training and implementing Standard Operating Procedures
• Liaise with the Health and Safety Officer and Estates and Campus Services to ensure that all equipment and facility maintenance is performed to keep the fabric and equipment in good order 

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in aquatic animal husbandry, specifically of freshwater species
• Strong experience working within an aquatic facility

Knowledge & Experience

• Proven experience of leading a small team
• Have a general knowledge of The Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 any other legislation relating to the management of aquatic facilities and accompanying guidance notes, recommendations and codes of practice

Skills & Attributes

• Ability to work independently and also as part of a team
• Proven analytical and technical/scientific problem-solving capability

For further information, including a full description of duties, essential criteria and details on how to apply, please see Vacancy details | University of Stirling