Animal Facility Manager Uk Visa Sponsorship

Job Description

Job Details
Posted: 20 February 2025
Salary: Grade 7, £40,247 – £45,163 per annum
Closing Date: 06 March 2025
Location: Glasgow
Job Type: Management, Professional & Administrative
Reference: 167733

Job Purpose

We are seeking a skilled and motivated individual to manage a Biological Services Animal Facility. In this role, you will plan, oversee, and review the day-to-day operations of the facility to ensure efficiency and compliance with all welfare and legal requirements. You will provide professional, high-quality support to researchers and create a safe, well-maintained working environment for all technical staff. Your responsibilities will include managing husbandry and welfare support, ensuring compliance with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), and delivering technical support for research involving laboratory animals.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Facility Management:
   Oversee the management of the animal facility, including staffing and ensuring researchers’ needs are met. Communicate effectively with researchers, facility staff, and relevant personnel, resolving issues proactively. Manage special projects aimed at improving support through new techniques, procedures, or equipment.
2. Procurement & Stock Management:
   Ensure the smooth operation of the facility by purchasing and maintaining stocks of equipment and consumables. Prepare data for invoicing, place orders, and maintain records of service reports, equipment logs, and departmental systems (e.g., tick@lab).
3. Team Leadership:
   Lead and develop a team of technical staff, providing induction, appraisals, recruitment, in-house training, and ongoing professional development. Monitor staff performance and ensure high-quality animal services to researchers.
4. Facility Maintenance & Compliance:
   Ensure that the facility’s infrastructure and equipment meet the researchers’ scientific needs and comply with Home Office guidelines. Enforce biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks and act as the primary contact for Estates and contractors regarding facility maintenance.
5. Legislative Compliance:
   Maintain a deep understanding of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act and other relevant UK legislation to ensure full compliance. Oversee project licenses, severity conditions, adverse effects, and endpoints, while promoting the implementation of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement).
6. Researcher Support:
   Provide expert advice on experimental programs, including breeding strategies, colony management, and animal imports/exports. Ensure accurate records of activities are maintained.
7. NACWO Role:
   Act as the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) for designated areas, ensuring adherence to Home Office Legislation. Contribute to the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB), reviewing project licenses and attending meetings as required.
8. Health & Safety Compliance:
   Ensure all activities within the facility meet Health & Safety regulations and relevant legislative requirements. This includes producing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and risk assessments.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Experience

Essential Knowledge/Qualifications:

• A proven ability to demonstrate the competencies required for this role, with experience in a similar capacity, or:
• Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 9 (Ordinary Degree, SVQ level 4), or equivalent, with professional accreditation and experience in a related role.
• Relevant animal technology qualifications (e.g., Institute of Animal Technology membership, HNC in Biological Sciences with Animal Technology modules).
• Certification in Personal Licensee training.
• Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) qualification.
• A thorough understanding of Home Office and Health and Safety legislation.
• Knowledge of disease control, biosecurity, and animal facility management.
• Proficiency in using IT systems (Word, Excel, and databases).
• Security clearance for working in animal facilities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Management qualifications.
• Degree in an animal or biomedical science-related field.
• Experience working at a senior level in a University research environment.
• Registered Animal Technician (RAnTech) qualification.

Essential Skills:

• Proven ability to communicate effectively with staff and researchers at all levels.
• Experience in developing and motivating staff, managing performance, and fostering a positive work environment.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently.
• Flexibility to meet service demands.
• Commitment to the highest standards of animal welfare.

Desirable Skills:

• Ability to deliver lectures and workshops related to Home Office modules and competency training.

Essential Experience:

• Significant experience working within an animal facility under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA).
• Extensive experience as a Home Office Personal Licence Holder.
• Experience as a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer.
• Experience managing budgets.
• Supervisory/management experience.

Desirable Experience:

• Previous experience managing technical staff and research projects within a small to medium-sized facility.

Terms and Conditions

• Salary: Grade 7, £40,247 – £45,163 per annum.
• Full-time: 35 hours per week.
• Permanent position.
• Relocation support will be available where appropriate.
• Security checks will be conducted by Agenda Screening Services.

The University requires all employees to be eligible to live and work in the UK. If you require a Skilled Worker visa, you must meet the eligibility requirements for this route to be assigned a Certificate of Sponsorship.

This position may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, depending on tradeable points. For more details, please visit: Skilled Worker Visa.

To Apply: Please submit your application by 06 March 2025.