D-Unit Assistant Technician

Job Description

The role
What you’ll do
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills required:
How to apply
Benefits
Employment Visa:

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for one or more Assistant Technician(s) to join the team at IBERS in supporting some of Aberystwyth University’s core animal research facilities. The university’s Digestibility Unit (D-Unit) is used to carry out investigations into improving livestock productivity and reducing the environmental burden of animal agriculture, with a focus on improving livestock diets using sustainably sourced and produced feeds. This post is required to provide livestock care cover most weekends (approximately 2 hours per day, split between morning and afternoon) and some weekdays during periods when the main animal unit technical manager is on leave. The post may also be required to work additional hours, by agreement with the line manager, at particularly busy times to help with specific research activities. Previous experience of working with farm animals is essential, ideally in a university or research institute environment.

We are willing to consider appointing more than one applicant to this role, to share working times between more than one individual. The successful applicant(s) will be based at Trawsgoed, which is situated approximately 12 miles from Aberystwyth. Public transport in the area is very limited, so a successful applicant would need their own transport.

To make an informal enquiry, please contact Jon Moorby at jxm@aber.ac.uk.

Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.

What you’ll do

This job description is subject to review and amendment in the light of the changing needs of the University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.

• To liaise with farm staff to procure and mix feeds.
• To check and feed the animals twice daily
• To ensure fresh water is available.
• To wash/clean Home Office regulated animals.
• To ensure animals have clean bedding.
• To clean out after animals have been in for washing.
• To liaise with NACWOs and NVS, if required, for animal healthcare.
• To open/lock up D-Unit, and other related buildings, morning and night.
• To check buildings and report any problems to Estates, e.g. water leaks etc.
• To keep records of any issues found, for continuity of care, and any consumables used that need replacing.
• To provide simple animal veterinary care (e.g. provision of prescribed vet medicines), if required.
• To undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
• To be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, together with an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
• To be committed to your own development and that of your staff through the effective use of the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme.
• Any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.

Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge, and Skills required:

Essential

• Experience of caring for large animals

• Experience of following established processes / protocols.

• Experience of keeping accurate records.

• Knowledge of animal welfare e.g. feeding mixes, identifying common ailments.

• Excellent communication skills.

• Demonstrable ability to organise and prioritise workload.

• Full UK driving licence or equivalent right to drive in the UK.

• Ability to work alone and as part of a small team.

• An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.

Desirable

• Experience of working with Home Office regulated animals.

• Knowledge of Home Office legislation regarding the use of animals in scientific procedures.

• Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level A1.*

• More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:

https://www.aber.ac.uk/en/hr/policy-and-procedure/welsh-standards/

How to apply

To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.

Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Benefits

• Flexible working policy
• 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
• Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
• Commitment to Professional Development
• Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
• Staff recognition and reward schemes
• Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
• Staff relocation bursary
• Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
• Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.

Please keep reading

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.

We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. Welsh language skills are considered an asset to the institution, and we encourage and support staff to learn, develop and use their Welsh language skills in the workplace. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.

Employment Visa:

Under the UK Government’s points-based system scheme, this role does not meet the criteria to be sponsored by Aberystwyth University (AU) for a Skilled Worker Route (SWR) application.