Research Assistant

Advert

Research Assistant
Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neuroscience
Cardiff University School of Medicine
College of Biomedical and Life Sciences

An exciting position has arisen for a Research Assistant to join the Dementia Research Team within the DPMCN, Cardiff University.

Based in Cardiff University's flagship Hadyn Ellis Building, this Research Assistant role will provide support to the Dementia Research Team with primary responsibility for one of our funded programmes, Brains for Dementia Research. Brains for Dementia Research is a world-class brain tissue resource supporting dementia research that uniquely includes metrics of memory, thinking and behaviour of each prospective donor throughout their later life.  

This role leads the teams field work visiting research participants, arranging and undertaking neuropsychological assessments and collecting biological samples. Additional roles include phenotypic data management and various administrative tasks consistent with the role.  You will also have the opportunity to engage with all aspects of dementia research. This includes working with wet laboratory and analytical colleagues and planning and participating in public engagement and training activities. 

Ideally, the successful candidate will be driven and motivated, with experience of working within a multidisciplinary team.  You should be adaptable, organised, possess excellent written and oral communication skills, and be an effective team player, as well demonstrating a proven track record of working on your own initiative.

This post is full time (35 hours per week) available immediately and is fixed term until 31 March 2025. 

For informal enquiries, please contact Rebecca Sims via email [email protected].

Salary:  £32,332 - £34,980 per annum (Grade 5)
Appointments to roles at Cardiff University are usually made at bottom of scale unless in exceptional circumstances. 

The majority of roles at Cardiff University are currently operating under “blended working” arrangements, with staff having the flexibility to work partly from home and partly from the University campus depending on specific business requirements. Discussions around these arrangements can take place after the successful candidate has been appointed. 

Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (incl bank holidays), local pension scheme, a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments within the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.
Date advert posted: Monday, 15 April 2024

Closing Date: Thursday, 2 May 2024

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We therefore welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of sex, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age.  In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements. 

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at:  Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Job Description

Main function 
To contribute to research within specialist area, carrying out supporting work that helps lead to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 
•    To undertake research, e.g. by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments /field work/desktop research/questionnaires
•    Actively participate within the research group, communicating and presenting research at meetings, through publications and other recognised avenues as appropriate, ensuring information is communicated to internal and external partners
•    To contribute and support research publications and presentations as required
•    To contribute and support research funding bids as required
•    To analyse and communicate complex ideas, concepts and data using appropriate methods and packages
To resolve issues and support colleagues in devising procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
•    To generate research output and contribute to the development of independent  and original ideas as appropriate
To provide support in research activities for undergraduate courses and research programmes and provide guidance to other members of staff within the research team
•    To maintain and update area of specialist knowledge, researching and critically appraising relevant literature within the area.

Other
•    To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
•    To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
•    To ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties
•    To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity
•    Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria 

Qualifications and Education
1.    A degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.    Knowledge of research methods and techniques within specialist field
3.    Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
4.    Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies 

Communication and Team Working
5.    Proven communication skills, including presentation to various audiences
6.    Excellent organisational and team-working skills

Other
7.    Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and teamworking within work

Desirable Criteria 

1.    Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience
2.    Evidence of collaborations with industry.
3.    Proven ability to work without close supervision
4.     Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community. 

Additional Information

How we will support you in performing in this role –
There are some things that you must have before you can start this role (see ‘Essential Criteria’ below), but other things can be developed either through training, or just by general on-the-job experience. We want to support and develop you once you have started in the role using a combination of the following to get the best out of you:  

•       Regular one-to-ones with your manager
•       An experienced and supportive team around you
•       Supporting you through job-relevant training and development that you may require.
•       A mentoring scheme 

IMPORTANT: Evidencing Criteria

It is the School of Medicine's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing. Candidates should evidence that they meet ALL of the essential criteria as well as, where relevant, the desirable. As part of the application process you will be asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.

Please ensure when submitting this document / attaching it to your application profile you name it with the vacancy reference number, in this instance for this post, 18432BR

If candidates do not provide written evidence of meeting all of the essential criteria then their application will not be progressed. The School of Medicine welcome the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.

Job Category

Academic - Research, Health, Medical & Dental