salary
Up to £67,000 p.a. DOE
Location/travel
Combination of working from home and travel to sites across the U.K.
Hours
- Full time (37 hours/week) or part- time.
- 1-2 weeks every 2 months on call (mainly remote support)
contract type
Permanent
flexibility
Potential for part-time or flexible hours.
values
Integrity. Expertise. Professionalism. Flexibility. Excellence
We are an independent consultancy providing veterinary and training and regulatory compliance services to research establishments across England.
You will be working alongside our team of 8 vets, as well as our highly experienced training teams. Red Kite Vets also provides a regulatory compliance service to our clients and there are opportunities to develop your skills in this area.
We are a dynamic and forward-thinking team, with a focus on delivering excellence. All employees are vets or have worked in the biomedical research industry as animal technicians.
Director
- MRCVS with two years’ clinical experience (particularly with farm animals) or with previous laboratory animal veterinary experience desired
- Enthusiastic, self-motivating, able to work in a team or individually, with a commitment to improving animal welfare
- Excellent interpersonal, communication and influencing skills
- Proactive and flexible
- Able to deal with unforeseen circumstances and problems
- Able to solve problems and make decisions
- Ability to organise, plan and prioritise, including under pressure and meeting deadlines
- Act professionally at all times in accordance with expectations of RCVS
- Proactively manage requirement for continuing professional development
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while recognising limitations of own abilities
- Recognise the importance of client confidentiality and adherence to Data Protection principles
- Extensive skill and experience in building relationships, with respect and inclusivity for all
Key responsibilities & duties
Red Kite Veterinary Consultants Ltd are looking for two enthusiastic colleagues to join our team working as named veterinary surgeons in research establishments.
As a qualified MRCVS with a minimum of two years’ clinical experience, you will have good communication and problem-solving skills.
Upholding our values of integrity, expertise, professionalism, flexibility and excellence, you will lead by being an outstanding and positive example to others.
We invest in the quality and development of our people to ensure we deliver a quality service.
We encourage personal development and support each other to achieve our potential, both collectively and as individuals.
We prioritise flexible work patterns to promote a healthy work life balance. Red Kite Veterinary Consultants Ltd has signed up to the Mental Health at Work commitment, and we recognise the importance of looking after and improving the mental wellbeing of our team.
As a named veterinary surgeon, you will fulfil the role of ‘Named Veterinary Surgeon’ (NVS) at a scientific procedure establishment as specified in section 24 of the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and the Home Office Guidance on the Operation of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
You will provide expert veterinary advice to animal carers and research staff on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease and ill-health in research animals held at our clients’ premises.
Main Areas of Responsibility:
Working mainly from home and supported by a team of NVSs, under the supervision of the Director and management team, you will provide a comprehensive veterinary service for our clients.
This includes:
- managing day-to-day health problems of animals
- establishing and overseeing health monitoring programmes
- visiting animal facilities regularly to ensure comprehensive veterinary care to all animals used for scientific research is applied
- participating in the out of hours rota for veterinary cover
- liaising with unit managers, Named Animal Care and Welfare Officers (NACWOs) and scientists on issues of animal health and welfare
- advising scientists on best practice with respect to methods of anaesthesia, aseptic technique etc., and on choice of appropriate animal models
- ensuring that research projects within the institutions are appropriately monitored and reviewed for ongoing application of the 3Rs (reduction, refinement and replacement)
- participating in the Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body.
- reviewing licence applications and advising applicants on best practice with respect to experimental techniques, animal welfare and application of the 3Rs
- working with the training development team to deliver high quality training to licence applicants and technical staff working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986), contributing to the knowledge and skill training of scientific and animal care staff
Full training and mentorship will be provided.
Salary
- Up to 67k per year, depending on experience.
Working hours/ patterns
- Full time or part time considered. One or two weeks on call every 2 months (mainly remote support – out of hours visits are very infrequent).
- Hours are flexible and open for discussion.
Working from home with travel to research establishments across the UK as required.
‘Working for Red Kite Veterinary Consultants offers me flexibility, variety and a good level of professional challenge within a supportive atmosphere.’
'I’ve been a permanent employee of Red Kite since 2017 and I worked on a casual basis for a few years before that. We have a great team of vets and the job is flexible and family- friendly'
Joining our team offers a unique opportunity for career development in an exciting research environment.
We offer:
- A competitive salary
- Enhanced maternity pay
- CPD allowance
- 28 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
- Flexible working opportunities and a 1 in 4 to 1 in 8 out of hours rota mainly involving remote support
- VDS/RCVS fees paid
- Company pension scheme
Closing date: 25th August 2025
Contact us for an informal chat or to request an application form at info@redkitevets.co.uk
Start writing here...