BRF Animal Technician
Details of the role:
Full time, permanent – 36 hours
Part-time opportunities may also be available, please note any preferred working pattern in your application.
About us
The Francis Crick Institute is Europe’s largest biomedical research institute under one roof. Our world-class scientists and staff collaborate on vital research to help prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, infectious diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
The Biological Research Facility is the Crick’s animal facility offering services to those researchers who use animals such as mice and fish to answer their research questions. For example, studying the effects of genes on development, or identifying the molecules involved in how cancer spreads.
The Biological Research Facility supports all animal research at the Crick through its comprehensive animal care and use programme, and provides the Crick's laboratory animal resource and technical services. There are approximately 150 animal care staff spread across several self-contained animal units.
High quality multidisciplinary experimental outcomes are at the heart of the BRF's philosophy and operations, delivered to the highest of animal welfare standards. The BRF teams integrate husbandry of multiple species within a range of facilities, using state of the art technologies, via a talented and skilled team.
About the role
This role is ideal for anyone who’s passionate about working with animals, dedicated to animal welfare, and enjoys hands-on, practical work. If you’re excited by the idea of creating the best possible environment for animals in a research setting, while directly contributing to world-leading scientific discoveries, the Francis Crick Institute could be the perfect place to build a meaningful career in Animal Technology.
We’re looking for enthusiastic, self-motivated team players to join us as Animal Technicians, key members of our organisation who play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for our laboratory animals. You’ll work within our state-of-the-art animal facility, carrying out husbandry duties and supporting the full breadth of research at the Crick through our comprehensive animal care and use programme.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we’re committed to helping you grow. We provide thorough training and ongoing support so you can build a rewarding career where your work makes a real difference to both research and animal welfare. Whether you’re seeking a new challenge or taking the next step in your career, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
As a new technician, you’ll learn all aspects of animal husbandry, gain experience using our record-keeping systems, and develop a solid understanding of the legal frameworks that guide our work. You’ll also complete the IAT Level 2 qualification and have the chance to obtain a Home Office Personal Licence.
Our BRF Research Officer roles open the door to long-term growth, continuous learning, and clear career progression, making this a fantastic pathway for anyone looking to develop their skills and build a future in Animal Technology.
What you will be doing
As an Animal Technician at the Crick, you will:
- Provide excellent care, welfare and husbandry to laboratory animals
- Clean, feed and water animals
- Check environmental conditions, such as temperature, humidity and water quality
- Monitor the condition of animals and making health observations
- Undertake domestic duties such as general cleaning and disinfection of equipment
- Maintain accurate written and computer-based records
- Perform culling and basic organ dissections
- Carry out a range of husbandry tasks to support researchers
For a full list of duties please see the job description here.
About you
You will bring
- A minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent including Maths and/or Science
- Evidence of effectively contributing to a team *
- Good time management and organisational skills *
- Good observational and attention to detail skills
- Clear and effective written and oral communication skills *
- Proven accurate record keeping skills
- Computer literacy
You will demonstrate
- A desire to work in the laboratory animal technology field
- Empathy towards the care and use of animals in science
- The ability to meet the demands of a physically demanding role
- A willingness to participate in regular essential animal care overtime
To see more about role/team click here.
Minimum criteria *
About Working at the Crick
Our values
Everyone who works at the Crick has a valuable role to play in advancing the Crick’s mission and shaping our culture!
- We are bold. We make space for creative, dynamic and imaginative ideas and approaches. We’re not afraid to do things differently.
- We are open. We’re highly collaborative and interactive, and make sure our activities are visible to the outside world.
- We are collegial. We show respect for one another, work cooperatively and support the wider community.
At the Francis Crick Institute, we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential to driving innovation and scientific discovery. We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to succeed, regardless of their background, identity, or personal circumstances. We actively encourage applications from individuals of all genders, ethnicities, abilities, and experiences.
We are a Disability Confident: Committed employer and want to ensure that everyone can apply and be part of our recruitment processes and so we'll make reasonable adjustments if you need them - just let us know when you apply. If you need assistance with applying (i.e., would like to apply by phone or post) please contact us via our website.
Find out more about life at the Crick.
What will you receive?
At the Francis Crick Institute, we value our team members and are proud to offer an extensive range of benefits to support their well-being and development:
- Generous Leave: 28 days of annual leave, plus three additional days over Christmas and bank holidays.
- Pension Scheme: Defined contribution pension with employer contributions of up to 16%.
- Health & Well-being:
- 24/7 GP consultation services.
- Occupational health services and mental health support programs.
- Eye care vouchers and discounted healthcare plans.
- Work-Life Balance:
- Back-up care for dependents.
- Childcare support allowance.
- Annual leave purchase options.
- Perks:
- Discounted gym memberships, bike-to-work scheme, and shopping discounts.
- Subsidised on-site restaurant and social spaces for team interaction.
Please note you must meet the essential criteria listed within the Role Profile, to have your application reviewed.
We reserve the right to withdraw this advert at any given time due to the number of applications received.
The Francis Crick Institute is an independent charity, established to be a UK flagship for discovery research in biomedicine.



The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Job Purpose
Within the National Influencing & Networks team, the Digital Communications Officer is responsible for delivering core communications functions. The postholder will work directly with the Director of National Influencing and Networks to plan communications activity in line with organisational objectives, and to deliver planned, regular and ad-hoc outputs. They will also work closely with the Area Engagement and Partnerships Team. It is desirable for the postholder to bring innovative video editing and production expertise, along with strong digital content creation skills, to enhance Clinks’ communications reach and impact.
Duties and key responsibilities
· Contribute to the continued development of communications outputs of relevance to the voluntary sector working in criminal justice
· Deliver Clinks’ communications functions to ensure our work and the voluntary sector is promoted in an accurate and timely manner.
· Contribute to Clinks’ communications outputs through oversight of the organisational communications planner, supporting the development of timelines and executing as appropriate
· Responsible for publication and design of organisational policy reports, e-bulletins, newsletters, blog posts, ad-hoc publications and other relevant digital outputs
· Responsible for the collation and distribution of Clinks’ Light Lunch on a weekly basis as well as newsflashes, women’s network updates and art alliance updates
· Provide communications and digital expertise to all Clinks staff, including planning of social media, publications or key deliverables including Clinks’ annual State of the sector research
· Work closely with the Membership and Digital Development Officer to ensure coordination of Clinks’ digital output, and supporting the Clinks digital era by contributing to project managed task groups from a communications perspective
· Work with Clinks’ partners on the delivery of local communications outputs
· Lead on Clinks’ regular programme of reporting and benchmarking, with relevance to communications metrics, triaging responsibility within the organisation, and escalating as appropriate, as well as liaising with third parties as needed
· Track and evaluate the impact of Clinks’ communications and digital outputs and advise colleagues accordingly
· Responsible, with the Membership and Digital Development Officer, for keeping information on the website up to date.
· Ensure the implementation of Clinks’ Content Creation Strategy and social media strategy, and contribute to development of wider organisational digital strategy
· Continuously review comms process’ and outputs to ensure a continued high standard to Clinks overall delivery
· Support fundraising activity and bid applications to help secure income for development work.
Additional responsibilities
· Contribute to team activity, including the communication of policy positions rooted in evidence, expertise and experience
· Ensure high standards across all Clinks communications products
· Support the development and operation of the various groups, networks and structures facilitated by Clinks
· Represent Clinks at external meetings and events
· Work with colleagues to maintain and develop Clinks’ database of stakeholders to support the distribution of published materials and other communications.
General responsibilities
· Represent and be an ambassador for Clinks
· Work to support the mission, ethos and values of Clinks
· Be flexible and carry out other associated duties as they may arise, develop or be assigned in line with the broad remit of the position
· Support and promote diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace
· Work collaboratively with others in all aspects of our work.
This job description does not form part of your contract of employment and can be amended from time to time as the needs of the organisation require.
Person specification
Education and experience
- 2-3 years’ experience in a communications-related role
- Experience in innovative video editing, production, and digital content creation is highly desirable.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
· An understanding of issues related to:
- The role of the voluntary sector in addressing social exclusion and inequalities
- The criminal justice system, in particular prisons and probation.
· The ability to engage audiences, persuade, and encourage understanding and participation in written and/or other communications, with a focus on social media output.
· Ability to manage multiple workstreams and competing priorities
· A collaborative approach to working with colleagues
· Strong IT skills, including knowledge of Microsoft Office, and an ability to support online platforms, including Drupal and Simple News, as well as proficiency in web development
· An eye for design, with the ability to liaise with external designers and to use design software, for example InDesign to create documents and manipulate document templates and Canva to produce assets.
· Clear, concise and engaging written and online communication skills
· A scrupulous approach to proofreading and a high level of skill in written English.
· Good knowledge of social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Bluesky, how to create and schedule engaging content for social media, and how to track engagement
· Monitor feed, share content and engage with Clinks’ members via social media
Personal attributes and other requirements
· Working well in a team with a flexible approach to work
· Ability to manage multiple and sometimes competing priorities
· Personal resilience and ability to stay focused in a rapidly changing environment
· Commitment to anti-discriminatory practice and equal opportunities, including for people with lived experience of the criminal justice system
· Ability to apply awareness of diversity issues to all areas of work
· Commitment to upholding the rights of people facing disadvantage and discrimination in the criminal justice system.