Overall purpose:

As Environmental Sustainability Officer, you will be responsible for driving improvements in environmental sustainability within the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB), Cambridge. Research science can have a considerable environmental impact; this role will help to reduce the overall environmental impact of our cutting-edge research facility and meet UKRI’s ambitious sustainability targets.

You will work with the Scientific Services and Sustainability Manager to design, manage and promote sustainability initiatives across the LMB, building on and championing existing green initiatives, as well as developing new projects.

Main duties/ Key responsibilities:

To help embed sustainability in processes and departments across the LMB. These activities include:

• Leading and administering the LMB’s Green Committee and Lab Sustainability team.
• Working and engaging with researchers to lessen the environmental impact from the laboratories, animal husbandry, and other facilities, using sustainability standards as a guide where relevant.
• Training new staff and students in sustainable practices.
• Developing and introducing best practices into the LMB to reduce the environmental impact of our staff and research.
• Disseminating and promoting these best practices, through generation of promotional material, organising events/competitions, writing newsletters and engaging on social media.
• Monitoring engagement with sustainable initiatives and adjusting where appropriate.
• Integrating sustainability into the leaving process for departing staff and working with lab leavers to ensure this process is followed.
• Working with suppliers, our Stores Manager and the researchers to reduce the environmental impact of the products we purchase.
• Making improvements to waste segregation and implementing initiatives to reduce waste.
• Making improvements to biodiversity on site by managing small projects and working with Estates and Facilities staff who manage the external site.
• Communicating achievements in environmental sustainability across the site and to other stakeholders.
• Monitoring our progress towards sustainability goals and reporting to senior Managers, and the MRC Sustainability Team where relevant.
• Helping to identify and apply for grants for new sustainability initiatives.
• Working with environmental leads from across the MRC facilities, as well as UKRI and external stakeholders, to establish best practice, share ideas and coordinate on projects.

Working relationships:

You will establish and nurture relationships with colleagues from across the LMB, the MRC as a whole, and UKRI, at all levels of responsibility. This includes:

• Operational teams, to reduce energy and water usage, reduce waste, improve waste segregation and recycling, and improve the biodiversity and species abundance of the site.
• Researchers, research groups, and animal technicians, to lessen the impact of the research that is undertaken on the site.
• Sustainability Officers at other MRC Institutes, the MRC Sustainability team and the wider UKRI environmental sustainability community, to report and communicate successes and challenges.
• Suppliers and contractors, to develop lower-impact supply chain options and shape services to promote greater sustainability.

Medical Research Council

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View Vacancy -- Environmental Sustainability Officer - Operations Group - Estates and Facilities - LMB 2791