The post holder will report directly to the Higher Scientific Officer within the Ruminant Nutrition Research Group, and a key role will be to support the research team in all aspects of their work. However, the post holder will be required to work closely with a wide range of staff, including Scientists (including
visiting scientists), Technical teams, other members of the Industrial and Farm teams, and postgraduate and undergraduate students. While the main role of the post-holder will be within the Ruminant Nutrition Research Group, other duties may arise within Livestock Production Sciences Branch, and within other Branches within AFBI. The overarching role of this post is to support the scientists in effectively managing a diverse portfolio of research projects, facilities and staff within the Ruminant Nutrition Research Group: this will be achieved through the following:

Work with cattle and sheep experiments
Responsibilities includes preparation for and participation in cattle and sheep trials, operation and calibration of indirect open-circuit respiration calorimeter chambers and GreenFeed units, collection of experimental samples and data, generation of measurement results of respiration chambers and GreenFeed units (e.g., O2, CO2, CH4 and H2), and monitoring of animal welfare and health.

General management duties
The post holder will be required to provide assistance: (1) to manage students and visitors in compliance with all appropriate AFBI health and safety and staff management practices; (2) to ensure that all staff and research procedures are compliant with the Animal Scientific Procedures Act and ISO 9001 in terms of Standard Operating Procedures, health and safety, risk management, biosecurity, record management and other related issues.

Management of research resources and facilities
Responsibilities includes: (1) to maintain research standard for research resources and facilities in the Ruminant Research Unit including cattle metabolism units, ovens, fridges, cattle and sheep chambers and GreenFeed units and sheep/calf crates; and (2) to manage the procurement procedure for
goods and services.

Other duties and responsibilities
The post holder will be required to fulfil any other duties and responsibilities as determined by management that fall within the ambit of the post. The job description is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as working guidelines within which the post will work.
This list is not exhaustive, and the successful candidate will be required to carry out other duties as allocated by management.

Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must, by the closing date for applications provide evidence in their application form that they meet the following eligibility criteria.

1a. Two A' levels or equivalent (Grade A - E) one of which must be in a science discipline AND 2 years' experience working in a livestock research environment.
OR
1b. Five GCSE including a Science, Maths & English Language (Grades A*-C for subjects specified) or equivalent AND 3 years' experience working in a livestock research environment.
OR
1c. 4 years' experience working in a livestock research environment.
AND
2. A minimum of 2 years’ experience of processing large volumes of analytical data within a standard operating procedure

Relevant or equivalent qualifications: Applications will also be considered from applicants with relevant formal qualifications considered by the selection panel to be of an equivalent or higher standard to those stated. If you believe your qualification is equivalent to the one required, the onus is on you to provide the panel with details of modules studied, information proving equivalency, etc. so that a well-informed decision can be made.