Research Associate

12828BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

Advert

Research Associate
Cardiff School of Biosciences

We are seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to undertake a program of work funded by the BBSRC investigating prenatal adversity and the intergenerational transmission of atypical maternal caregiving. Prenatal adversity is a major threat to human health because of the harmful outcomes for offspring in the short and longer term, a phenomenon described as fetal programming or developmental origins of disease. Prenatal adversity can also induce atypical maternal caregiving propagating the hostile environment of the offspring with additional consequences for their wellbeing. In order to break the intergenerational cycles of adversity, we need to understand the relevance of genes changes in both the fetus and the placenta that occur in response to prenatal adversity. We have shown that imprinted genes indirectly influence maternal caregiving by regulating development of the placental endocrine lineages. This project will test the hypothesis that prenatal adversity-driven changes in IC2 domain imprinted gene expression in the fetus and placenta program atypical maternal behaviour in both mothers and their daughters. The ideal candidate should possess a personal license with experience of working with transgenic animals focusing on murine maternal behaviour and/or the analysis of brain structure/adult neurogenesis and/or placental development. However, training can be provided to exceptional candidates with complimentary skills.

This position is full-time and fixed term, available from 1st December 2021 until March 31st 2024. 

Salary: £34,304 - £40,927 per annum, (Grade 6). Please note that it is not expected that we will appoint above grade 6 .33, currently £37,467 per annum.

Date advert posted: Thursday, 28 October 2021

Closing date: Thursday, 25 November 2021

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only.  We now invite external applications.

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: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/research/our-research-environment/integrity-and-ethics/responsible-research-assessment”

Job Description

To conduct research within Professor Rosalind John and Professor Anthony Isles’ research groups studying Prenatal adversity and the intergenerational transmission of atypical maternal caregiving and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research. To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Research
* To conduct research within Prenatal adversity and the intergenerational transmission of atypical maternal caregiving and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
* To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals
* To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required
* To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting
* To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate
* To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field
* To participate in School research activities.
* To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions,   explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects

Other
* To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally  to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
* To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
* To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
* Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.
* Ensure that an understanding of the importance of confidentiality is applied when undertaking all duties.
* Abide by University policies on Health and Safety and Equality and Diversity.

Person Specification

IMPORTANT NOTE TO CANDIDATES: It is the University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for short-listing and we only invite candidates to interview who clearly evidence that they meet (or partially meet) each of the essential criteria. During the application process you will be asked to attach a supporting statement. This statement must outline how you meet the criteria below and we recommended formatting this by using each criteria as a sub-heading and providing your relevant experience/evidence below each sub-heading. It is crucial that you save your supporting statement with the vacancy number (eg. 1234BR) in the filename as failure to do so may result in it being omitted from your application.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1. Postgraduate degree at PhD level in a related subject area or equivalent or  relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within one or more of the following research fields:
i. Analysis of murine brain structure/adult neurogenesis
ii. Maternal behavioural assessment (murine)
iii. Murine Placental Development
3. Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field: Endocrine programming of maternal behaviour
4. Proven ability to publish in national/international journals / national/international conferences and/or other research outputs
5. Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies

Communication and Team Working
6. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication
7. Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals

Other
8. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work
9. Proven ability to work without close supervision

Desirable Criteria

10. Relevant professional qualification(s)- Personal license (PIL)
11. Experience of bioinformatics analysis of RNAseq data
12. Experience of cross-fostering, hypothalamus and placental dissection, serum collection
13. A willingness to take responsibility for project related administration.

Job Category

Academic - Research