Senior Animal Technician

Reporting to: Glyn Fisher, Head of Biological Services Unit

Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time), Weekend and Bank Holiday rota participation required.

This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. If this is your first visa in the UK, support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here.

Job details

Join one of the world's leading cancer research institutes and play a vital role in supporting ground-breaking research that helps improve outcomes for people with cancer

About the role

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is seeking an experienced and motivated Senior Animal Technician to join our Biological Services Unit (BSU). Working closely with researchers and the Centre for In Vivo Modelling (CIVM), you will help deliver high-quality animal care, welfare, and technical support that underpins world-leading cancer research.

This is an exciting opportunity for an established animal technologist looking to take the next step in their career, combining hands-on technical work, colony management, staff supervision, and training responsibilities within a collaborative research environment.

Key responsibilities

As a Senior Animal Technician, you will:

• Manage and maintain mouse breeding colonies and experimental animals to the highest welfare standards.
• Perform regulated procedures under Home Office licences and provide technical support to research programmes.
• Monitor animal health and welfare, promoting a strong Culture of Care throughout the facility.
• Support researchers undertaking innovative cancer research using in vivo models.
• Train, mentor, and supervise junior technicians, researchers, and licence holders.
• Contribute to facility operations, record keeping, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in out-of-hours, weekend, and public holiday rotas to ensure continuity of animal care.

About you

Essential

• A Level 3 qualification in Animal Technology, Associate or Full Membership of the IAT, or equivalent relevant experience.
• A Home Office Personal Licence (PIL), equivalent certification, or willingness and eligibility to obtain one.
• Significant experience working in a laboratory animal facility, in vivo research environment, or similar technical setting.
• Experience managing transgenic or genetically altered mouse colonies.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and training staff.
• Strong organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to animal welfare, regulatory compliance, and continuous professional development.

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and associated Codes of Practice.
• Experience as a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO).
• Competence in laboratory animal anaesthesia, substance administration, and tissue collection techniques.
• Experience supporting Home Office licence holders and training programmes.

About us

The BSU supports researchers across the organisation by maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare while enabling innovative in vivo research that advances our understanding of cancer and the development of new treatments.

Apply now

If you are looking to start or develop your career in animal technology within a world-class research organisation, we would be delighted to hear from you. Join us and help support the discoveries that defeat cancer.

The ICR is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

For further information or to discuss your application please contact Glyn Fisher (Head of BSU) and Professor Kamil R. Kranc (Director of the Centre for In Vivo Modelling) via email: Glyn.Fisher@icr.ac.uk and Kamil.Kranc@icr.ac.uk.

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