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The Faculty of Science and Engineering wish to appoint a placement student to provide teaching and research support for the School of Biology and Marine Sciences (SoBMS) in the area of animal husbandry for lower vertebrates and invertebrates.
You will work as part of a team under the direction of the Technical Manager and deliver support in all aspects of laboratory and field work with a focus on lower vertebrates (e.g. fish, amphibians and reptiles) and invertebrates. You will primarily be based on the University’s main campus but you may also be required to work in the field and at Coxside Marine Station.
The service underpins both teaching and research activity in biology and marine sciences. You will be computer literate, enthusiastic, pro-active, and able to prioritise and understand the principles of providing a high standard of support to students and academic staff. You will work alongside the senior lower vertebrate and invertebrate (LVI) technician and academic staff to provide support for the Zoo Conservation MSc degree and BSc degrees that include aspects of animal welfare.
It is essential that you have a formal qualification resulting from a period of practical and/or theoretical training, e.g. A levels or NVQ2. Health and Safety is considered of the utmost importance. You will be expected to contribute to the management of risk through CoSHH and Risk assessments and by monitoring activities.
It is essential that you have a long-term interests and experience in animal care e.g. animal related volunteer work, and have the ability to show this. You will also have experience of managing live food sources and nutritional supplement provisions.
Your day-to-day activities
- Health and welfare observations of animals (any concerns are communicated to senior staff).
- Food preparation and feeding.
- Care of food insect colonies.
- Cleaning enclosures, equipment and other materials used daily.
- Spraying/watering, checking plants for parasites, monitoring temperatures, humidity, UV radiation levels, lighting etc.
- Maintaining and renewing enclosures (e.g., new perching, substrates, plants).
- Monitoring the behaviour and health of animals.
- Collection of samples for laboratory testing.
- Moving animals between enclosures.
- Observation of veterinary procedures.
- Care of eggs, hatchlings, tadpoles.
You will be proactive in your approach to improving and developing yourself and the service you provide, showing personal initiative and good judgement when faced with complex problems.
Please demonstrate how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Interviews are likely to take place on Friday 1 st November 2024 and you will be notified if you have been shortlisted or not. This is a full-time position working 37 hours per week on a fixed-term basis until 30 th September 2025 due to business demand. We regret that there is no opportunity to work from home in this position.
We offer a competitive salary package and a generous pension and holiday scheme. We also offer a range of other benefits/support mechanisms, including ongoing development opportunities, flexible working, staff networks and enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.
About us
The University of Plymouth is an inclusive community where everyone is welcomed regardless of their background. To find out more about our inclusive community initiatives, such as Athena Swan and the Race Equality Charter, please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages.
We particularly welcome applicants from under-represented communities at the University of Plymouth, such as carers/parents, people with disabilities, ethnically diverse, LGBT+, and people from all socio-economic backgrounds.
