Grade UE04: £25,733 - £28,381 per annum
Corporate Services Group / Bioresearch & Veterinary Services
Full-time: 35 hours per week
Open-ended (permanent)
This is an exciting opportunity to join Bioresearch & Veterinary Services (BVS) department at the University of Edinburgh. BVS provides biomedical research services across the University for a large and diverse scientific community and oversees all aspects of welfare, breeding and husbandry of animals used in research. BVS is looking to recruit a Technical Assistant to support world leading research at the University of Edinburgh.
The post of Animal Technical Assistant is a technical position which involves performing animal husbandry duties to ensure all animal needs are met and excellent standards of cleanliness maintained in BVS facilities. You will be able to undertake routine data recording and responding to task requests, provide routine and non-procedural technical assistance to research staff when required. The willingness to train towards a Personal Licence is essential. The successful applicant will be able to work as part of a team, be able to clearly communicate and be able to follow instructions and procedures without constant guidance. All staff are actively encouraged to develop their CPD personal skills and techniques-base by access to internal and external training programmes. Appointments will be made at the UE04 depending on experience.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job
Essential
- Vocational qualifications or school education to standard grades plus relevant work experience.
- Willingness to study for industry qualifications and Home Office Licence.
- Attention to detail and the ability to follow instructions and procedures without constant guidance.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Competent IT and numeracy skills.
- Ability to clearly communicate (oral and written).
Desirable
- Experience in working with animals especially rodents.
- Hold a relevant Home Office Licence.
- Be aware of UK and EU law relating to the use of Animals for Scientific Procedures (ASPA). Pre- and post-operative care and use of anaesthesia techniques.
Click here for the full job description.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary.
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, competitive pension schemes, staff discounts, and family-friendly initiatives. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits.
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab).
The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. International applicants will therefore be unable to apply for and secure a Skilled Worker visa. They will only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 23 June 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
Interviews will be held w/c 30 June 2025.
About the team
Bioresearch & Veterinary Services (BVS) are responsible for the housing, care and management of animals used in biomedical research at the university. Around 120 BVS staff provide Home Office, veterinary, and technical support for our researchers to ensure optimal animal welfare, high quality research, and compliance with all relevant legislation across multiple sites.
For more information see our website Bioresearch & Veterinary Services | The University of Edinburgh
Our vision is to provide an excellent professional service that prioritises animal welfare whilst supporting our world leading research. We endeavour to work according to our CARE values: C aring for animals, A ctive communication, R especting others, E xcellent service. We are also a UK Leader in Openness, engaging wherever possible with opportunities to discuss our work, including our public website Animal research | The University of Edinburgh