The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.
We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page.
The Role and Department
The Life Science Support Unit (LSSU) has had an active role within the research community here at Durham University for around 50 years, and as such it has facilitated numerous research projects across various disciplines. As a major research support facility, it currently houses and supports research and expertise from neuroscience, agritechnology, anthropology, biology, chemistry and ecology, and has been providing both Polyclonal and Monoclonal antibody production services to a range of both academic research groups and commercial partners for 7+ years.
The LSSU is a multi-species facility and can provide for both aquatic, rodent and rabbit husbandry. We have a range of housing options available from conventional to IVCs and isolator units, depending upon researcher need and colony requirements.
The post holder will have skills and experience in managing a team of technicians; supporting, advising and assisting researchers where appropriate and carrying out roles as a Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer, and Named Training and Competency Officer. The role has a legal obligation under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 in an animal welfare and ethical capacity and provides a service to internal and external research and companies.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University:
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You’ll receive 30 days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year.
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We offer a generous pension scheme, and as a new member of staff, you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
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No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have ample parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies. You can also take advantage of our cost-effective and environmentally friendly Tusker Car Benefit Scheme, allowing you to lease a brand-new electric or hybrid vehicle with savings on tax and National Insurance.
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We have a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
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We provide wide-ranging health and wellbeing support including discounted membership for our state-of-the-art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
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Our on-site nursery is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, and you can access holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
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Our family-friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
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We offer all staff the opportunity to take part in volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community.
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You can access exclusive discounts via our benefits portal including money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, eating out and days out at various attractions.
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Various salary sacrifice schemes are also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
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If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs, and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest-free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships.
3. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues.
4. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research projects working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
6. Experience of managing and developing a technical service team or teams.
7. Experience of implementing policies and procedures.
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
8. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
9. Strong digital competence across a range of digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications.
10. Achievement of recognised industry and professional standards supported by relevant courses or certifications, e.g. PIL ABC Licence, IAT levels 2 and 3, NACWO and NTCO.
11. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
12. Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations, local and national, in particular the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986..
13. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions.
14. Expert knowledge and expertise in one or more areas of technical specialism, and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources, equipment and research outputs.
15. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety.
16. Ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
- A CV: and
- A supporting statement or covering letter which outlines how you meet all of the criteria within the Person Specification.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Dr Adrian Watson, Senior Technical Manager, Department of Biosciences:
[email protected]
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
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Contribute to equality, diversity and inclusion, and the University’s values.
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Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from LSSU users and customers and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
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Work with your team to look for ways to improve processes, techniques and outputs/results across all areas of your work.
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Oversee, monitor and update standard operating procedures, protocols specialist risk assessments and safety procedures and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.
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Contribute to arranging and negotiating contracts for external customers.
Planning and Organisation
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Manage the delivery of operational activities carried out by the specified services which you are responsible for.
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Oversee a service which provides practical and test teaching and research work activities, projects, and self-directed sessions.
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Provide specialist advice to resolve technical problems, plan projects and continually develop and improve the service.
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Support the analysis of feedback from facility users so that the LSSU offering and services are responsive to customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
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Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Team Development
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Ensure that your team can deliver the required services by devolving and delegating responsibilities to appropriate team members.
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Carry out regular performance reviews to provide feedback on team and individual objectives and expectations. Identify any development needs.
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Ensure that your team continues to develop by coaching and mentoring team members and responding to any training or development needs, as appropriate, also acting as Named Competency and Training Officer (NTCO).
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Carry out recruitment and selection of new staff.
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Support the welfare and wellbeing of your team referring more complex issues to specialist services.
Teaching and Learning Support
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Design, build and maintain complex, specialist teaching and research apparatus, equipment, instruments, systems and appliances.
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Provide advice on ASPA personal and project licencing issues.
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Develop optimise and modify protocols and methodologies, making operational and welfare decisions.
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Apply maintenance schedules to ensure the safe and efficient use of technology, facilities and services to teaching, research and learning activities.
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Manage the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality technical and/or experimental facility/platform and service to ensure teaching, research and knowledge exchange outputs.
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Record, monitor, analyse and collate information as part of teaching and research activities including updating the Home Office online licencing system (ASPeL)..
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Be responsible for the design, set-up, maintenance and integrity of teaching, research and learning facilities, technology and resources within a specialist area, including providing specialist advice on technical procedures including anaesthesia and care plans..
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Support the delivery of undergraduate and post graduate teaching and learning activities, and income generation, where appropriate.
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Contribute to the planning, design and delivery of research outputs and contribute to the preparation of innovative teaching/research proposals including the provision of costings for research grant applications.
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Carry out surgical procedures and administration of drugs, including Schedule 1 compounds.
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Carry out procedures as a personal licensee under the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
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Act as principal Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) and Named Training and Competency Officer (NTCO) under the establishment licence
Communication/Liaison
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Use your operational expertise to participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees, particularly being an active member of the University Animal Welfare and Ethics Review Board (AWERB)..
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Collaborate with internal and external academics, industry and technical specialists to support the delivery of teaching and research projects.
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Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where appropriate including Home Office Inspectors, Named Veterinary Surgeon and support the HOLC with amendments to licences and other legal obligations.
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Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
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Contribute to promotional events and conferences.
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Any other reasonable duties.
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of date.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.
