Support Animal Technician

Posting date:	12 March 2026
Salary:	£25,651.00 to £27,220.00 per year
Additional salary information:	£25651.00 - £27220.00 a year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	26 March 2026
Location:	Porton, SP4 0JG
Company:	NHS Jobs
Job type:	Contract
Job reference:	K9919-26-0078

Summary

Work with the Colonies team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all NHPs. To recognise, report and record ill health and welfare issues in the NHPs and support with vet duties. Document and communicate issues to relevant teammembers, e.g. line manager, NACWO or Named Vet. Contribute to study work completed at the colonies including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associatedsafety precautions. Support with basic post-mortem examination and removal of specified tissue. Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies. Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment to enhance the wellbeing of the NHPs. Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines. Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments. Assist with the supervision of specific designated areas such as the Prep- room, Surgical procedures room, X-ray processing room, Sample Receipt andStorage areas, (the post holder takes full responsibility of areas in the absence of the Supervisor). Ensure equipment used within the colonies is maintained, serviceable and in date for use at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required by projects. Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential out of hours scoring of NHPs in study. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra and MHRA. To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade. Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix and in discussion with your line manager and maintain owntraining record. To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1). To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade. To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures. Essential criteria GCSE's or equivalent qualification in Science, Math's and English Educated to NVQ 2 level in an animals care/welfare (or equivalent level of qualification) OR significant equivalent previous proven experience working with animals. Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists Ability to keep detailed and accurate records An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry Ability to prioritise work Experience of using Microsoft Office programs Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance Understanding of why animal are used for research purposes An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems Desirable criteria Familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and the sterilisation offacilities equipment and waste Selection Process Details This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours/Experience/Technical skills. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) 750 word supporting statement. This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV. Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 750 words. We will not consider any words over 750 words. Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria If used, the piles Meets all essential criteria and Meets some essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting. Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of: GCSE's or equivalent qualification in Science, Math's and English. Educated to NVQ 2 level in an animal care/welfare (or equivalent level of qualification) OR significant equivalent previous proven experience working with animals. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Stage 2: Interview You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Working together (Lead behaviour) Delivering at pace Interviews dates to be confirmed. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Location This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus. Security Clearance Level Requirement Successful candidates must pass a standard disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Clearance. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Eligibility Criteria External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Salary Information If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms. This role attracts a Market Pay Supplement of 10% of your base salary, up to a maximum of £28,546, which will be reviewed annually.