Job vacancies at the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre
Join our friendly international community of over 150 staff here at Sainsbury Wellcome Centre where we support extraordinary people to tackle extraordinary problems.
Comprising of 12 research groups made up of Postdoctoral Researchers, PhD Students, Research Assistants and Master’s Students who all are working towards understanding how the brain drives behaviour. Alongside, are professional and scientific staff who provide indispensable expertise to support SWC’s mission.
Current vacancies
Find the latest vacancies below and apply online via the UCL jobs website. You can also follow us on Bluesky for the latest job opportunities or sign up for regular job alerts on the UCL application portal.
Animal Technician
Reference: B02 11560
Salary: Grade 4, 5 or 6 on the UCL Salary Scale
Working Type: Onsite, full-time
Closing Date: 6 December 2026
Available until: 31 October 2030
About the role
We are seeking a committed Animal Technician to join the Neurobiological Research Facility (NRF) at SWC.
We welcome applications for Grade 4 (Junior Animal Technician), Grade 5 (Animal Technician) and Grade 6 (Senior Animal Technician) positions, with appointment level determined by your experience and training. We are committed to supporting your growth and development within the role.
Please indicate at the beginning of your application which position(s) you would like to be considered for whether you would like to be considered for.
You will carry out routine husbandry tasks including feeding rodents, changing water bottles, cleaning cages, and ensuring daily animal welfare. You’ll also operate mechanical cage-washing systems and bedding dispensers, manage cage distribution, and respond to changes in demand. The role includes handling deliveries, maintaining sanitary storage areas, rotating stock, and supporting general housekeeping such as laundry and deep cleaning of service zones.
Strict adherence to Home Office regulations, including the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA) and relevant EU directives, is essential to ensure the highest standards of compliance and animal care.
About you
This is a fulfilling opportunity for individuals who are passionate about animal care and welfare and thrive in a collaborative, high-performing team environment.
You will be someone who:
- Has a genuine interest in supporting scientific research through excellent animal husbandry and welfare practices.
- Is proactive, reliable, and able to work independently as well as part of a team. · Demonstrates attention to detail and takes pride in maintaining high standards of cleanliness, organisation, and care.
- Communicates clearly and respectfully with colleagues across technical and research teams.
- Is flexible and responsive to the needs of the animals and the facility, including working one in three weekends and occasional unsociable hours.
- Is open to learning and development, with a willingness to undertake training and progress within the role.
Applicants wishing to be considered at Grade 5 or Grade 6 must hold an Institute of Animal Technology qualification or equivalent.
Applicants for the Grade 6 Senior Animal Technician position must demonstrate extensive knowledge and proficiency in small animal procedures.
What we offer
At SWC, you’ll enjoy an award-winning work environment in the heart of Fitzrovia, with access to pleasant outdoor spaces.
Staff benefits include:
- Generous annual leave entitlement.
- Occupational pension schemes
- Family-friendly policies such as occupational shared parental pay
- A strong work-life balance policy
Financial benefits including a season ticket loan scheme and staff discounts
We pride ourselves on offering high-quality administrative, technical and operational support, and actively encourage professional development. Staff have access to UCL’s Organisational Development training programmes, designed for all grades and roles.
How to apply
To apply visit UCL’s vacancy listings and search for vacancy reference B02-11560. Click on “Apply Now” to enter the recruitment portal and start your application.
For full details, download the full job descriptions and person specifications (PDF):
Junior Animal Technician (Grade 4)
Animal Technician (Grade 5)
Senior Animal Technician (Grade 6)
Want to know more? Read our Why join SWC? page to learn about our values and commitments, state of the art Centre, staff benefits and awards.
Interested in joining us? Find out more about How to Apply.
For general enquiries please contact the SWC HR team swc.hr@ucl.ac.uk, +44 (0)20 3108 8011.
Our commitment to Equality Diversity and Inclusion
As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia. SWC is delighted to have received an Athena Swan Bronze Award in 2021. We stand by our commitment to positive action to improve equality and accessibility in the workplace. We will provide reasonable adjustments to enable people to work and flourish with us.
SWC is proud to uphold both UCL’s Dignity at Work and Work-Life Balance policies. As Centre we commit to fostering a positive cultural climate where all staff and students can thrive and actively support Wellbeing@UCL.