Research Fellow

12358BR

Cardiff School of Biosciences

Research

Advert

Research Fellow
Medicines Discovery Institute
Cardiff School of Biosciences

The Medicines Discovery Institute represents a major investment in translational science by Cardiff University. The goal of the Institute is to translate world-leading research on scientific understanding of disease mechanisms into innovative therapeutic approaches. Our vision is to play a leading role in discovering new medicines in areas of high unmet need, with a particular emphasis on neuroscience, mental health, and cancer. We are creating a vibrant community of researchers across both academic and biotech sectors engaged in major research programmes which build off the unique strengths of Cardiff University and work collaboratively with other universities and companies across Wales and internationally.

The Medicines Discovery Institute are looking to attract a motivated experienced Biologist to join their expanding team at Cardiff University. The successful candidate will have experience in all three areas: Target Identification, Target Validation, and Ion Channel Pharmacology. The Institute desires a candidate that has strong leadership and interpersonal skills to help lead and promote the Institute’s success.

Using experience of the principles of target identification and target validation, the role holder will design and deliver experiments that will generate the data packages that are critical in supporting the early-stage drug discovery grant applications that underpin the long-term sustainability of the institute. Together with the project leader, the role holder will co-ordinate internal and external outsourced activities to ensure that project activities are fully integrated. The role holder will co-ordinate outsourced activities including the managing of contract biology support activities in the portfolio, and design and implement the key studies required to validate particular molecular targets. The role holder will play a key role in shaping and driving our early project portfolio and in securing external grant and commercial investment.

The post will be based at Cardiff University and will be part of a multi-disciplinary drug discovery team.  For informal inquiries, please contact [email protected] .

This position is full time, fixed term until 31st July 2023.

Salary: £43,434 - £50,296 per annum (Grade 7)

Date advert posted: Friday, 17 December 2021

Closing date:  Friday, 7 January 2022

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

Research
* Independently develop research objectives within Drug Discovery, projects, or proposals for own or joint research including research funding acting as a PI as required.
* Develop research networks through regular national/international conference/seminar presentations in order to, for example, identify sources of funding, secure student placements, and build relationships for future activities.
* Generate and pursue independent and original research ideas in the field of research and support the initiation of new lines of research in related areas
* Disseminate research findings using appropriate and effective national and international publications, research seminars, meetings, and conferences
* Produce high-quality research outputs that have impact in the field, for publication in monographs or recognised high-quality journals, or performance/exhibition, as appropriate, and contribute to the University’s REF submission at acceptable levels of volume and academic excellence.
* Identify and secure opportunities for enterprise activity, knowledge exchange income and/or consultancy where permissible
* 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
* Supervise and develop other research staff within own research projects, supporting them in developing their research techniques, and advising on personal development
* Provide guidance to students in own specialist area, including supervising postgraduate research students, for example as part of a supervisory team
* Contribute to, and participate in School research activities

Other
* Line manage other staff members and work closely with the wider team
* Engage effectively with industrial, commercial, and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally, and nationally to raise awareness of the Centre’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.
* Establish effective interdisciplinary collaborations with scientists both at Cardiff University and at external organisations.
* Participate in Centre and School’s administration and activities to promote its work to the wider University and the outside world.
* Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

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 relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2. An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
* Subtype-selective GABAAR pharmacology
* Mechanism of action of positive and negative allosteric modulators of ligand- and/or voltage-gated ion channels.
* Patch-clamp electrophysiology platforms (e.g., QPatch or Patchliner).
3. Experience of coordinating and managing outsourced contract research activities
4. Experience of line managing research team, providing professional advice and guidance, and to attract MA and PhD students
5. Ability to develop new techniques and introduce new technology to a research and laboratory environment.
6. Growing national reputation within drug discovery with proven substantial record of publications in high-impact national journals and other appropriate media of a similar standing.
7. Proven ability to attain competitive research funding along with a strong portfolio of research grants

Communication and Team Working
8. Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication both orally and in writing with students, colleagues, and external audiences
9. Proven ability to work both independently and in a leading capacity to develop a research team

Desirable Criteria
1. Evidence of collaborations with industry/other partners
2. Experience of Drug Discovery in an academic environment.
3. Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the activities of the Centre.
4. Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation, and team-working within work

Job Category

Academic - Research