Job Description

Salary £33,419 - £37,582 + additional discretionary £5k allowance per annum, dependant on candidate skills and experience). Plus, separate overtime and on-call allowance.

Band MRC-5 S1

Contract type Open ended

Hours: Full time (36 hours)

Location: Harwell, Oxfordshire, on-site

Closing date: Sunday 12 July 2026

Overall Purpose:

The role will undertake mechanical installation, maintenance, repairs, and fault-finding on mechanical infrastructure to the estate to ensure systems are maintained and operational supporting the ongoing scientific research programmes on site.

Working in the Engineering and Estates Department, you will work on a variety of piped systems and building services where you will have opportunity to work and train on a variety of systems such as heating/cooling, HVAC, steam. The Engineering and Estates team promotes crossover of skills, whereby engineers will have opportunities to diversify, and learn skills from colleagues in the electrical engineering roles.

You will be reporting to the Building Services supervisors, assisting with the planning and undertaking of planned, reactive and scheduled project works on site delivering and maintaining the highest standards of mechanical practice.

Working on a single site, the role is based on Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot. All tools, PPE and uniform are provided, overtime available with generous pension and annual leave allowance.

Main Duties/Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake installation, operation, fault finding and maintenance of the MRC Harwell site’s wide range of mechanical building services, including HVAC, domestic water system, steam systems, compressed air and all other piped systems
• Carry out works efficiently and effectively, acquiring and signing off work through the mobile work app
• Procure materials, components and spares, ensuring that stock levels are managed to maintain efficiency
• Undertake an active role in site services condition surveys and where required, formal inspection, testing and verification of systems will be required (additional training may be provided)
• Active involvement in site Legionella management (training provided), carrying out compliance-related maintenance tasks, including Legionella water monitoring, systems flushing (ACoP L8), boiler water sampling and water storage vessel inspections
• Fault-finding on a wide range of site plant using core and learned skills
• Ensure that all work carried out on the MRC site is completed in line with industry recognised standards ensuring safe working is adhered to at all times
• Working to comply with risk assessments and method statements
• Adhering to safe systems of work (permits/isolation procedures/hot works/testing and recommissioning)
• Ensure that works are completed to a high standard and in a timely fashion to minimise their impact upon scientific programmes
• Accept training in future developments and technologies, taking on additional nominated person responsibilities as required
• Provide additional support and assistance to the Building Services team by supporting general maintenance and repairs of the estate
• Engage in the mentoring and development of team members (including the support of apprentices)
• Deliver a high level of customer service
• To participate as part of an engineering on-call team as required (subject to management approval and operational requirements)
• Undertake the role of first aider (training will be provided)

Working Relationships:

Colleagues, researchers, senior managers, external contractors.

Person Requirements

Education/Qualifications/Training Required:

Essential:

• Recognised Mechanical Qualification City & Guilds Level 2/3 in a mechanical discipline such as HVAC/ Plumbing & Heating/ Pipe fitting
• Proven experience in a previous mechanical facilities engineering role
• UK driving licence

Desirable:

• City & Guilds Mechanical Engineering (9209-01)

• HNC/ HND in relevant engineering field

Previous Work Experience Required:

Essential:

• Two years’ post qualification experience within mechanical facilities engineering

• Experience of various mechanical wet/ piped systems maintenance

• Experience working with commercial mechanical wet/piped systems

Desirable:

• Demonstrable experience with varied piped systems, mechanical plant, and controls (e.g. steam, HVAC, compressed air/gases etc)

• Demonstrable experience working in a building services environment

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential:

• Comprehensive understanding of industrial pipe fitting and system design

• Knowledge of mechanical systems operation and theory

• Good working knowledge of HVAC and mechanical services engineering practices

Desirable:

• Understanding of Legionella document L8 and maintenance requirements

• Demonstrable experience/ knowledge of building services systems and controls

• Prior knowledge of routine planned preventative maintenance systems and applications

• Experience working with young learners (apprentices)

Personal skills/Behaviours/Qualities:

Essential:

• Conscientiousness, self-motivated, punctual, team player with excellent interpersonal skills
• Able to work with minimal supervision and able to work in a methodical and structured way, having confidence to deal with suppliers and service users
• Able to work within a multi-disciplinary team and able to communicate effectively with colleagues and the wider scientific community
• Willingness to undertake relevant training where necessary

Equality & Diversity

The MRC values the diverse skills and experience of its employees and is committed to achieving equality of treatment for all. Our objectives are that all individuals shall have equal opportunities for employment and advancement on the basis of their skills, aptitudes and abilities. The MRC is committed to the engagement and retention of the best possible talent and to creating an environment that encourages excellence in scientific research through good equality and diversity leadership and management.

Corporate/Local Responsibilities & Requirements

The post-holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the MRC’s:

• Code of Conduct

• Equality and Diversity policy

• Health and Safety policy

• Data Protection and Security policy

The above lists are not exhaustive, and the post-holder is required to undertake such duties as may reasonably be requested within the scope of the post. All employees are required to act professionally, cooperatively and flexibly in line with the requirements of the post and the MRC.

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.