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The Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell (MLC) is an internationally renowned centre at the forefront of the generation and use of mouse models for the study of human disease. The MLC offers a range of mouse services to support researchers with generation and characterisation of mouse models of disease and archiving/distribution of existing models.
This graduate placement is based across the Pathology department of the Mary Lyon Centre. MLC Pathology is split into Necropsy, Histology and Clinical Pathology departments, who support the centre’s mission of utilising mouse models for the preclinical study of human disease. Data and samples produced by this team inform researchers around the UK and across the world about the roles of many mammalian genes and how they can lead to disease in humans.
You will gain highly desirable experience in a wide range of complex in-vivo and ex-vivo techniques, working in a fast-paced environment with a strong customer focus. This includes working under Home Office licensing (Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act amended 2012) to carry out procedural work, and to keep meticulous records of all animal related work. This will include carrying out procedures such as blood collection, and perfusions, as well as detailed dissections, histological processing, assays for clinical chemistry and haematology, as well as flow cytometry. You will learn to critically evaluate their work and troubleshoot laboratory processes in this ISO 9001 accredited laboratory.
Additional training in a range of soft skills will be provided as part of a Graduate cohort undergoing technical training in a range of specialities.
Main duties/key responsibilities
Necropsy
- Performance of dissections including specialised techniques e.g. perfusions
- Selection of tissues for embedding prior to tissue processing
Histology
- Embedding & processing of tissues
- Wax and frozen sections
- Special stains and immunohistochemistry
Clinical Pathology
- Carry out in-vivo phenotyping assays such as blood sampling, and processing of samples for analysis
- Maintenance and operation of equipment including Clinical Chemistry, Haematology, and Flow Cytometry analysers
Time management
Scheduling of routine and short-notice emergency work
Quality Assurance & Record Keeping
- Authorship and review of SOPs, risk assessments and COSHH documents
- Ensuring that all SOPs, risk assessments and COSHH requirements are observed
- Maintaining database and keeping various records and logs up to date as per requirements for ISO 9001 certification
- Ensuring that training is kept up to date
Archiving & Stock Control
- Ensuring that all consumables, reagents and chemicals are logged and stored
- Ensuring that all samples are logged, stored and archived appropriately e.g. wet tissue archive/ frozen tissue archive
Working Relationships
The post-holder will report to the Head of Pathology Services and work within a team of Pathology technicians. They will be expected to liaise with other MLC departments, internal and external customers as well as service engineers and suppliers.
Additional Information
- The post-holder may occasionally be required to travel to attend meetings or training
- Contracted to work 36 hours per week
- Support will be provided towards professional registration with the Science Council
Person specification
Education/Qualifications/Training Required
Essential:
- BSc in biological science or related subject
Desirable:
- Record of training in necropsy and/or histology
- Home Office Personal licence
Previous Work Experience Required:
Essential:
- Experience of working in a laboratory environment, including working to standard operating procedures and risk assessments/COSHH
Desirable:
- Experience of routine rodent necropsy techniques or histology techniques
- Experience of working within a quality-management system
- Experience of working in a commercial or service-led environment
Knowledge and Experience
Essential:
- Competence and knowledge in necropsy and/or histology principles and practice
- Computer literacy, including the ability to use digital record-keeping systems and common software packages, such as Excel
Desirable:
- In-depth knowledge of mouse anatomy and physiology
Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities
Essential:
- Excellent communication skills
- Excellent attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable in approach to work to ensure that changing priorities and deadlines are met
- A service-delivery focus
- Ability to work on day-to-day functions both independently and as part of a team
Desirable:
- Experience in training others
