Research Assistant / Research Associate in Surface Coatings

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Research Assistant (Grade 5) / Research Associate (Grade 6) in Surface Coatings
Cardiff School of Chemistry

We seek to recruit an enthusiastic, highly motivated scientist with proven intellectual and technical abilities to work on an electrical steel coatings project. The 4-month project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) involves collaboration between Professor Davies (Cardiff School of Chemistry), Dr Anderson (School of Engineering) and our industrial partner, Beckers Ltd.

The objective of the project is to optimise a coating formulation that has been invented at Cardiff University for application by roll-2-roll methods on electrical steel under commercially relevant conditions.

Please clearly state in your application which role you are applying for i.e., Grade 5 Research Assistant or Grade 6 Research Associate

For informal enquiries about the role and the Cardiff School of Chemistry, please contact: Professor Philip R. Davies, email: [email protected] .

For further details about working at Cardiff University, please contact: Caroline Pasmore ([email protected] )

This position is full time (35 hours per week) and is available from 1 December 2021 for 4 months.

To work for an employer that values and promotes equality of opportunity, please visit www.cardiff.ac.uk/jobs and search for vacancy number: 12806BR.

The appointments will be made, dependent on relevant qualifications and experience, within the Grades 5 or Grade 6 salary scale:

Salary:
£27,924 - £32,344 per annum (Grade 5 - Research Assistant) or
£34,304 - £40,927 per annum (Grade 6 - Research Associate).  It is not anticipated that an appointment will be made above £34,304 per annum.

Important note: It is the University’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 that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined below. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide under each element.

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure that you name it with the vacancy reference number, e.g. Supporting Statement for 12806BR.

Date advert posted: Wednesday, 27 October 2021

Closing date: Wednesday, 24 November 2021

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 who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. 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

Main Duties - Grade 5

• To undertake research, e.g., by planning, preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of experiments /field work/desktop research/questionnaires (delete as appropriate).
• 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.

• 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, Diversity & Inclusion.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

• To conduct research within Chemistry and Engineering on synthesis and characterisation of thin films 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.

• 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.
• To abide by the University policies on Health and Safety and Equality, Diversity & Inclusion.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role

Person Specification

Grade 5 - Research Assistant 

Essential Criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.           A degree in Chemistry, or equivalent experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.           Knowledge of research methods and techniques for preparing and characterising thin surface coatings
3.           Proven ability to analyse complex information and summarise appropriately
4.           Ability to demonstrate the capability and drive to succeed in securing research funding

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

Grade 5 - Desirable Criteria 

1.           Postgraduate degree at PhD level in Chemistry (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.

Grade 6 - Research Associate
Essential criteria

Qualifications and Education
1.           Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion/ submission) in Chemistry or relevant industrial experience

Knowledge, Skills and Experience
2.           An established expertise and proven portfolio of research or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
i.            Thin film preparation
ii.           Surface coating characterisation
3.           Knowledge of current status of research in one or more areas of surface spectroscopy and microscopy
4.           Proven ability to publish in international journals and at national and/or international conferences
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 of scientific results
7.           Ability to supervise the work of others in a laboratory setting, in order 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 and supervision of undergraduate (project) students.

Continued in Additional Information

Additional Information

Grade 6 Desirable Criteria 

1.           Relevant professional qualification(s)- if applicable please specify

2.           Evidence of collaborations with industry

3.           Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.

4.           Evidence of ability to participate in, develop both internal and external networks, and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School

5.           Fluency in Welsh, written and oral

Additional Information

Main Function

Grade 5

To contribute to research on the development of electrical steel coatings, 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.

Grade 6

To conduct research within the area of electrical steel coatings 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.

Job Category

Academic - Research